Federal prosecutors are firing again at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ request to be launched on bail forward of his October sentencing, telling the decide that he has “intensive historical past of violence” and should stay in jail.
Combs was acquitted last month on probably the most severe fees he confronted over drug-fueled intercourse marathons referred to as “freak-offs,” however was convicted on two lesser prostitution counts. His legal professionals are at present pushing to throw out those convictions – or on the very least secure his release till sentencing.
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However in a response submitting late Thursday, prosecutors argue that Diddy should stay in jail till his October court docket date. They are saying nothing has modified for the reason that decide beforehand denied bail – and if something, the trial confirmed how violent the star could be.
“The trial document is replete with proof of the defendant’s acts of violence in the direction of others,” prosecutors write. “The defendant’s decade-long relationship with [Cassie Ventura] was outlined by his repeated acts of violence and abuse. The defendant’s mood and violence have been unpredictable.”
Within the submitting, prosecutors spotlight an alleged assault on an unnamed girlfriend (recognized as Jane) in June 2024, throughout which Diddy allegedly “picked her up in a chokehold” and “punched her within the face twice” earlier than kicking her repeatedly whereas she was on the bottom.
“The truth that the defendant dedicated this vicious assault simply three months previous to his arrest — and whereas he was unambiguously conscious that he was beneath federal investigation — highlights, because the court docket concluded, ‘a disregard for the rule of legislation and the propensity for violence’,” prosecutors write, quoting the decide’s earlier ruling.
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Combs was arrested and charged final yr with racketeering (RICO) and intercourse trafficking violations over accusations that he ran a sprawling prison operation geared toward facilitating the freak-offs — elaborate occasions which he allegedly pressured his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and different ladies to have intercourse with male escorts whereas he watched and masturbated.
However following a blockbuster trial in Could and June, a jury cleared Combs on the RICO and intercourse trafficking fees. The rapper was discovered responsible on two different counts for transporting Ventura, one other lady and varied intercourse staff throughout state traces for the needs of prostitution.
Combs will face sentencing on these convictions in October; sentencing pointers recommend he’ll seemingly obtain between two and 5 years in jail.
On Monday, his legal professionals pushed for his launch till sentencing, arguing that prostitution prospects, or “johns,” are primarily by no means incarcerated like he’s been. Then on Thursday, they requested the decide to overturn the convictions completely – calling them an “unprecedented” software of federal prostitution legal guidelines, and doubtlessly a violation of Diddy’s constitutional rights.
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Friday’s submitting from prosecutors dealt solely with the bail request, nevertheless it additionally hinted how they may reply to the broader arguments difficult Combs’ convictions as an unusually aggressive software of the federal legal guidelines at concern.
“The defendant spills a lot ink explaining why the underlying information of his convictions make his continued incarceration ‘distinctive,’” prosecutors write. “Nevertheless, the defendant’s arguments are baseless, deceptive, and run counter to the clear intent expressed by Congress.”