A scheduled hearing Tuesday afternoon to consider arguments for moving up Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sentencing date was unexpectedly adjourned without any arguments being presented or a new date being established.
According to a joint letter filed Tuesday prior to the 2 p.m. ET remote hearing, defense attorneys and federal prosecutors had initially agreed to set Combs’ sentencing for September 22. However, shortly before the hearing began, attorneys for both sides submitted another joint letter to Judge Arun Subramanian stating that they had decided to go with the judge’s originally proposed date of October 3.
During the teleconference, defense attorney Marc Agnifilo and prosecutor Christy Slavik were present when the courtroom deputy interrupted to ask if they had anything to discuss aside from the sentencing date. When both replied they had nothing further, the deputy adjourned the conference and informed them that Judge Subramanian would respond in writing.
According to a new court docket entry, Subramanian has now officially set Combs’ sentencing for October 3.
It remains unclear why the defense ultimately backed away — at least for now — from its previous effort to expedite the sentencing process.
Judge Subramanian had previously agreed to hear arguments for an earlier sentencing date following a split verdict on July 2. The jury acquitted Combs of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking but convicted him on two counts related to prostitution.
Last week, the defense argued that “exceptional circumstances” justified moving up sentencing, pointing in part to the 2018 death of Combs’ former romantic partner, Kim Porter.
“The mother of some of his children had passed away many years ago. These kids, the two daughters here sitting in the middle of your honor’s second row, don’t have a parent,” defense attorney Marc Agnifilo said in court.
Federal prosecutors, however, appeared resistant to deviating from standard procedure, including the need for a pre-sentence report by probation officials that would require Combs to sit for an interview.
“The only things exceptional about this defendant are his wealth, his violence and his brazenness,” prosecutor Maurene Comey said. She also noted the government intends to seek “significant incarceration” for Combs in connection with the prostitution charges.
Combs faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, though as a first-time offender, his actual sentence could be significantly less. He will also receive credit for time served, which currently stands at approximately 10 months.
The split verdict on July 2 came after six weeks of testimony. The prosecution called 34 witnesses, while the defense did not present any. The jury — composed of eight men and four women — deliberated for just over two days before reaching a decision.
Pump Radar
Stock Alerts