Sean Combs, popularly known as P. Diddy or Puff Daddy
Sean “Diddy” Combs is in court in New York where he will be sentenced on two counts of transportation for prostitution.
The defence has tried to paint Combs conviction as just a side effect of a “sex, drugs and rock and roll lifestyle”, but it’s more than that, she goes on.
Prosecutor Christy Slavik, speaking on behalf of the government. Said, “Today is about accountability and justice. This isn’t just a case about sex.”
“It’s a case about real victims who suffered real harm at the hands of the defendant.”
Slavik reiterates that the government recommends a sentence of 135 months (just over 11 years), saying it adequately addresses the separate harms to Cassie Ventura and Jane (who testified under a pseudonym).
“The defendant admitted to violence,” she says and urges the judge to consider that this case is about more than just so-called “freak offs”.
Dozens of reporters, photographers, and news teams are posted out front, alongside content creators livestreaming the events of the day from their phones.
A number of people gathered both in support of and against Combs.
Judge Arun Subramanian is the one who will decide the sentence for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.
He has been on this bench for about two years and was nominated by former President Joe Biden and confirmed in a 59-23 US Senate vote.
He was recommended to Biden by New York Senator Chuck Schumer, who said in his Senate hearing introduction that “our courts need more people like Arun Subramanian”.
Schumer also said Subramanian, the son of Indian immigrants, is the first South Asian judge in the Southern District of New York.
This is Subramanian’s first high-profile, celebrity case. Before his nomination in 2022, he had a private law practice. Schumer said that as a lawyer, Subramanian defended victims of trafficking and child pornography.
Combs was spotted wearing a white sweater, black pants, and glasses. As well as a noticeable grey beard.
His five adult children and mother were also spotted. Combs was reported to have sounded chipper when the judge greeted him, responding “Morning judge!”
Victim four, an anonymous witness who testified under the name “Mia”, will not be speaking today.
Prosecutors said her decision was in part due to a letter submitted by the defence “which can be described as no less than bullying,” prosecutors said.
The judge agreed, calling the tone of the letter “inappropriate” and telling the defence not to repeat it.
Federal judges have to work within a designated set of guidelines when issuing sentences.
Sentences can be made more severe with certain “enhancements”, or increased penalties, that a judge applies based on a convicted person’s conduct while committing the crime.
Right now, Combs’ side is trying to eliminate as many enhancements as possible, while government prosecutors are trying to add them, by raising objections.
The judge has overruled objections from both parties. But notably, he overruled Combs’ request to not consider conduct that was part of the charge against him for alleged sex trafficking – for which Combs was acquitted. The judge has also overruled his request not to consider “coercion” when calculating a sentence.
Cassie Ventura and “Jane Doe” were both victims, the judge said. He added that Combs’ threats to release videos of Cassie participating in “freak-offs” and to not pay housing costs for “Jane” if she did not go along with hotel nights qualified as coercion.
