Lawyers for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs say he’s reformed his ways — but will the courts agree and grant him leniency?
A federal judge has denied bail to music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, pointing to his well-documented history of violence, a factor his legal team couldn’t dispute. Although Combs was recently acquitted of serious charges including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, Judge Arun Subramanian made it clear that Combs’ chances of an early release are slim.
The judge’s remarks hinted at how he may sentence Combs for two remaining convictions related to prostitution under the federal Mann Act, each of which carries a potential 10-year prison sentence.
Subramanian emphasized that Combs’ past abusive behavior—highlighted by a widely circulated video showing him assaulting ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and photos of injuries sustained by another woman—would be taken seriously when determining the penalty.
While sentencing guidelines often offer a range based on precedent, they are not binding. Subramanian will have significant discretion when imposing the final sentence.
Defense attorneys are asking for a term shorter than the suggested 21 to 27 months, while federal prosecutors argue that Combs’ criminal conduct and violent background warrant a harsher punishment of at least four to five years.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Legal Team Claims Personal Transformation Could Impact His Sentence
The judge scheduled sentencing for October but left open the possibility of an earlier date, pending further discussions in an upcoming hearing.
Initially, the verdict had brought an emotional reaction from Combs and his defense team. Some wept, and Combs raised his fist in triumph, thanking jurors silently.
After the courtroom cleared, he dropped to his knees in prayer. But the mood shifted later that day when Judge Subramanian rejected his bail plea, using the defense’s own words against them.
Reading from the defense’s closing arguments, Subramanian recited attorney Marc Agnifilo’s admission: “We own the domestic violence. We own it.”
The judge remarked that if Combs had been on trial solely for domestic abuse, there would have been no trial at all because Combs would have pleaded guilty.
Among the most damning evidence presented to the court was a video capturing Combs’ violent assault on Cassie Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel room in March 2016. The judge also pointed to testimony from another ex-girlfriend—identified in court only as “Jane”—who was visibly bruised after Combs beat her in June 2024. This incident occurred months after federal agents raided Combs’ properties, a time when, the judge said, he should have been on his best behavior.
According to Jane, Combs assaulted her shortly before coercing her into a sexual act with a male sex worker. This formed the basis of his prostitution-related convictions.
Judge Subramanian said the incident reflected a blatant disregard for the law and an ongoing tendency toward violent behavior.
Agnifilo urged the court to consider Combs’ personal growth over the past year, describing him as a changed man and a model inmate.
He mentioned that Jane had even written a note in support of Combs entering a domestic violence rehabilitation program. The defense plans to present testimony from a representative of that program at sentencing.
“He’s making a genuine effort to improve,” Agnifilo said. “He’s not the same man he once was.”
The attorney added that the prospect of a life sentence had forced Combs to confront painful truths about his past, and that the jury’s verdict had given him a second chance he wouldn’t dare squander.
But Judge Subramanian appeared unconvinced by what Agnifilo called his “heart strings” plea. He stated that the defense’s own acknowledgments made it impossible to prove that Combs no longer poses a threat to others or to the community at large.
The defense is expected to argue that Combs’ violent acts were not directly related to the charges for which he was convicted and should not influence the final sentence. The prosecution, however, plans to argue the opposite.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey told the judge that Combs is “an extremely violent man with an extraordinarily dangerous temper,” adding that he has shown “no remorse and no regret” for his actions against multiple victims.
Though Subramanian acknowledged that Combs would receive credit for time already served, he showed little inclination to release him within the year.
A letter submitted by Deonte Nash, a former stylist for Combs and Cassie who testified at the trial, warned that granting bail would send the wrong message—that wealth and fame could insulate someone from accountability.
Cassie, through her attorney Douglas Wigdor, echoed those concerns. She expressed fear for her safety and that of other victims, stating her belief that Combs remains a threat to both them and the wider public.
Also Read: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Legal Team Questions Secrecy In Ongoing Court Case
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Manoj Patel is a senior video journalist who has a degree in Mass Communication. He has a rich experience in editing videos and writing stories on different platforms.
