AssetID: 55142165
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: Sean 'Diddy' Combs denied acquittal or new trial ahead of Friday sentencing
Caption: Sean 'Diddy' Combs denied acquittal or new trial ahead of Friday sentencing. The rapper was found guilty in July of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, but acquitted of the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. Ahead of his sentencing, Judge Arun Subramanian denied Combs' legal team's request for a new trial or acquittal ruling that the government "presented overwhelming evidence of Combs's guilt" during the trial. In his filing on Tuesday, Subramanian also declared that Combs' team failed to prove their claim that the rapper deserved a new trial because the racketeering and sex trafficking counts prejudiced the jury against him on the prostitution-related charges. ”The government proved its case many times over. That by itself might be enough to dispose of Combs's challenge," he wrote in the document, reports Variety. ”Had the prejudice indeed been so great, one would expect a jury to convict on the most relevant counts before it could spill over and infect the others. A new trial is not warranted.” The judge's ruling comes shortly after prosecutors filed a memorandum on Monday recommending 11 years in prison. His defence team previously recommended 14 months. Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, who was a key witness during the trial also submitted a victim impact statement, in which she revealed she had moved out of the New York area because she fears retaliation if the musician walks free on Friday. ”I am so scared that if he walks free, his first actions will be swift retribution towards me and others who spoke up about his abuse at trial," the singer wrote. ”As much progress as I have made in recovering from his abuse, I remain very much afraid of what he is capable of and the malice he undoubtedly harbors towards me for having the bravery to tell the truth.” Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
Keywords: Sean Diddy Combs,denied,acquittal,new trial,ahead,sentencing,Judge Arun Subramanian,legal team,failed,sex trafficking,racketeering,conspiracy,victim,impact support,Cassie Ventura,letter,scared,left,New York,hearing,walk free,Friday,court,11 years
PersonInImage: