Sean "Diddy" Combs' attorney believes his client has undergone a profound transformation. That's why Teny Geragos—the lead attorney on the music mogul's legal team—vehemently criticized Judge Arun Subramanian for imposing a 50-month sentence, which translates to over four years, coupled with five years of supervised probation and a hefty $500,000 fine. This followed Combs' conviction on two prostitution-related offenses, though he was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges.
"The jury made it abundantly clear in their verdict that they acquitted him of the sex trafficking and RICO counts," Geragos told ABC News on October 3, following the sentencing. "Not guilty means not guilty."
After the verdicts were delivered, federal prosecutors urged Judge Subramanian to impose an 11-year sentence, citing Combs' perceived lack of remorse, while the defense argued for a mere 14 months, including the 13 Combs had already served.
The 50-month sentence Combs ultimately received will include 12 months he has already spent in prison since his arrest and during his trial.
Geragos took issue with the prosecution's portrayal of Combs as dismissive of his past wrongdoings, stating to ABC News, "I can say, from the depths of my heart, with all the hours I've spent with him preparing for trial, that he is a changed man."
Attorney Alexandra Shapiro, who will head Combs' appeal team, also condemned Judge Subramanian's decision, arguing that coercion should not have factored into the sentence since the jury had acquitted Combs of that charge.
"That was entirely inconsistent with the jury's verdict," she told ABC News. "The judge acted as a 13th juror. The sentence was driven by conduct the jury rejected. The jury acquitted Mr. Combs of any coercion."
For his part, Subramanian explained during the hearing why he handed down the sentence he did, emphasizing the violent nature of Combs' transgressions, including those against his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
"The court is not convinced that if released, these crimes would not recur," he said during the sentencing hearing, as reported by ABC News. He added that he hoped the sentence would send a message to survivors of domestic abuse that "violence against women is met with real accountability."
Meanwhile, prior to receiving his sentence during the October 3 hearing, Combs addressed the court directly.
"My actions were repulsive, shameful, and sickening," he said. "I was sick, sick from the drugs, I was out of control, I needed help and I didn't get it."
Combs continued, "I lost my self-respect. I've been humbled and broken to my core. I despise myself right now. I've been stripped down to nothing. I am truly sorry for it all, no matter what they say."
