P Diddy's sentencing date confirmed as he awaits decision in jail
Sean 'Diddy' Combs ' sentencing has been confirmed after his legal team and prosecutors reached a new agreement. The disgraced rapper has been denied bail following the end of his two-month long trial.
Last week, he was found not guilty of racketeering and of sex trafficking former girlfriend Cassie Ventura and another woman referred to as 'Jane.' He dropped to the floor as the verdict, decided by eight men and four women, acquitted him of the most serious counts. Combs was found guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution, relating to Ventura and Jane. The court heard how he flew people around the country, including his girlfriends and paid male sex workers, to engage in sexual encounters, a felony violation of the federal Mann Act.
However, he was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges, relating to allegations that he forced his former girlfriends into drug-fuelled sex encounters, which had been known as 'freak offs.'
It was reported last week that his sentencing was expected to take place in October. However, today the two sides came to an agreement.
In a letter filed ahead of the hearing, the agreed timeline said Combs' sentencing would take place on September 22. That was 11 days sooner than the original date of October 3.
Yet new court filings show the defence and prosecution have now decided to follow the original schedule. They have proposed a timeline for post-verdict motions leading up to that day.
Both parties asked for the pre sentence report by August 29 from the Probation Office. Combs' attorneys are set to file objections by September 5 and the prosecution by September 12.
"The Government and the Probation Office do not object to this schedule," a letter filed by Combs' lawyer Marc Agnifilo states. Post-verdict motions are on track, with the defence expected to file by July 30.
Last week, Combs was denied bail by Judge Arun Subramanian. The judge denied bail just a minute after re-entering the court. He said he "sees no reason to reach the opposite conclusion now".
Moments before the verdicts were delivered following days of deliberation, Combs asked the courtroom to pray for his family, and this was received with applause.
When the news was delivered, he fell to his knees, with his head down in his chair, appearing to pray after avoiding the strongest sentence – life in prison for the highest charge.
His family, who had supported him throughout the case, clapped and cheered. Combs' defence lawyers hugged one another, and he then stopped and embraced his lawyer, Brian Steel. The mixed result came on day three of deliberations.
Throughout the ongoing trial, Combs had pleaded not guilty to all allegations made against him. "I'll be home soon," he told his family, adding: "I love you, baby."
He went on to say: "I love you, mom." Combs has been behind bars since his arrest in September. His lawyers argued that the acquittal on the most serious counts changed the legal landscape enough that he should get bail.
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