Sean "Diddy" Combs is grappling with the ramifications of his judicial fate. Mere hours after the 55-year-old music mogul was convicted on two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution, specifically involving his ex-girlfriends Cassie Ventura and an anonymous woman who testified under the pseudonym "Jane," yet acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering allegations, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian turned down his bail request.
Upon hearing the judge's refusal to grant him bail, despite his defense team's plea for a $1 million bond, Combs responded by slumping in his seat, his head bowed and hands resting in his lap, looking utterly deflated, as reported by NBC News reporters present in the courtroom. At one juncture, during the defense's attempt to refute the judge's denial of bail, the Bad Boy Records founder raised his hand and started to rise as though to address the bench directly. However, he ultimately conferred with his defense attorney, Marc Agnifilo, refraining from speaking to the court, according to the outlet.
In the end, the judge upheld his decision to deny bail, citing the defense's own concessions during the trial acknowledging Combs' guilt in domestic violence incidents—though domestic violence was not among the federal charges against him, as per NBC News. Consequently, Combs will remain incarcerated, where he has been since September, until his sentencing hearing currently slated for October 3. (Notably, the judge has requested a meeting between the prosecution and defense on July 8 to discuss potentially advancing the sentencing date.)
For his convictions, Combs—who pled not guilty to all charges—faces a maximum sentence of 20 years, though prosecutors are seeking a term of 51 to 63 months, as per NBC News. The defense, on the other hand, is advocating for a sentence of 21 to 27 months.
The marked contrast in Combs' demeanor post-bail denial and his earlier relief upon hearing the verdict painted a vivid picture. Upon learning he had been cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering charges, thereby averting the specter of a life sentence, Combs dropped to his knees, placing his head in a chair, almost assuming a prayerful posture, as recounted by NBC News.
Moreover, the news outlet observed his family standing in the courtroom, applauding and cheering, while the defense attorneys embraced one another, and eventually, Combs hugged his lawyer Brian Steel.
