Sean Diddy Combs has submitted a new appeal to the court seeking his immediate release, presenting a fresh argument against what he claims was an unfair trial.
The musician posed this argument through his legal representatives, Alexandra Shapiro and Nicole Westmoreland, in New York on Thursday, April 9.
On the same day, federal appeals court judges listened to oral arguments regarding Sean “Diddy” Combs’ challenge to his 50-month prison sentence.
One judge described the case as an “exceptionally difficult case,” highlighting that it raises legal issues that are unexpected for federal courts across the country.
Diddy, who was convicted in October on two counts of interstate transportation for the purpose of prostitution, did not attend the hearing conducted by a three-judge panel in the United States Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan.
Alexandra Shapiro, a member of the defense team, stated that the presiding judge considered the charges for which Combs was acquitted, including racketeering and trafficking, when determining the sentence.
Combs’ legal team states that he should be released immediately, arguing that his sentence is approximately four times greater than the typical punishment for such crimes.
In response, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik maintained that the 50-month sentence was, in fact, below the federal guideline range and comparable to other cases within the circuit.
Following an extensive two-hour discussion on the issue, Circuit Judge William J. Nardini acknowledged the complexity of the case, saying that it raised questions not only for the judge but also for “any federal court in the nation.”
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