Key Highlights
- In the 84-page appeal, filed yesterday and reviewed by Variety, attorney Alexandra A. E.
- Shapiro argued that Combs’ 50-month sentence was greater than it should have been, laying the blame at the feet of Judge Aran Subramanian and stating that he “acted as the thirteenth juror.” The appeal stated that Subramanian defied the jury’s verdict and found that Combs “coerced,” “exploited” and “forced” his girlfriends to have sex and led a criminal conspiracy, which “trumped the verdict.” Related Stories Hitmakers Repeat Offenders: How Smash Singles From Sabrina Carpenter, Shaboozey and Benson Boone Came Together “Defendants typically get sentenced to less than 15 months for these offenses — even when coercion, which the jury didn’t find here, is involved,” reads the appeal.
- Popular on Variety Combs was initially convicted in July on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, and was acquitted of the more serious racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges that carried heftier sentences.
- At his sentencing in October, Subramanian made it clear that Combs’ violence would be a factor in his decision, citing the video of the 2016 incident where he attacked his former girlfriend, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura.
- “The same power you used to hurt women, you can use to help them,” he told Combs during the sentencing.
