Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ attorney says judge acted as ‘13th juror,’ vows to appeal 50-month sentence
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ lawyers announced they will appeal his recent sentence after accusing Judge Arun Subramanian, of overstepping his role.
Lead attorney Marc Agnifilo said the judge “acted as a 13th juror” when he handed down the sentence.
Combs received four years and two months in prison on two Mann Act charges related to transporting individuals for prostitution. His defense team argued the punishment disregarded the jury’s acquittal on more serious charges.
Lead attorney Marc Agnifilo criticizes judge’s role in sentencing
“We are planning to appeal,” said Agnifilo. “We think we have a strong basis to appeal.”
He added, “What we feel happened today was that the judge acted as a 13th juror and second-guessed the jury.”
Attorney Marc Agnifilo, the sentence was driven by outside pressure. “The sentence was based on conduct the jury rejected. The jury acquitted Mr Combs of any coercion,” he said.
“The jury’s verdict was resoundingly clear. There was no sex trafficking, no racketeering; everything was consensual and adult, which is why he was convicted only of the prostitution offense.”
Attorney Brian Steel, another member of the defense team, described the ruling as a “very bad day for everybody.”
“There is a human being now in custody for 50 months based upon conduct that the jury heard, the jury resolved, and the jury rejected,” Steel said.
Lead attorney Teny Geragos highlighted the importance of the jury’s decision: “The jury made it very clear in their verdict that they acquitted him of the sex trafficking and RICO counts. Not guilty means not guilty.”
A juror from Combs’ trial told ABC News that the rapper’s 50-month sentence was too light.
“I think he got off easy. I’m surprised the judge was that lenient,” the juror said.
“I think 10 years would have been more appropriate. He has many more civil suits filed against him, so he will be in and out of court for years. I’m sure he will have more fines to pay, too.”
Sean 'Diddy' Combs apologizes in court
Since his arrest in September 2024, Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
Appearing in court on October 3, he issued an apology for what he described as “disgusting, shameful, sick” behavior.
“I don’t have anybody to blame but myself,” Combs said. “I know I’ll never put my hands on another person again. I know I’ve learned my lesson. My acts of domestic violence are a burden I’ll carry for the rest of my life.
Meaning of ‘13th juror’ explained
The term “13th juror” refers to a judge who second-guesses a jury’s verdict, despite being required to follow it.
It can also describe an outsider commenting on a case. The phrase was also the title of John Lescroart’s 1992 legal thriller novel.
