On Wednesday, July 30, Diddy‘s legal team filed a new motion. This time, they’re requesting a retrial or acquittal on those prostitution charges he was found guilty of in court, per the Associated Press. According to his attorneys, however, Diddy did not violate the Mann Act, backing up their new filing with possible evidence to prove their case. With his sentencing scheduled for October 3, could Diddy possibly be acquitted of these charges? Let’s get into it.
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Diddy’s Legal Team Files Motion For Retrial
Diddy’s lawyers are coming with receipts in this motion. The motion claims Diddy is the only person with a Mann Act conviction over his freak-offs activities. “To our knowledge, Mr. Combs is the only person ever convicted of violating the statute for conduct [for] anything like this,” the motion reads. They’re arguing Diddy wasn’t profiting off prostitution and didn’t sleep with the male escorts. Not to mention, everyone involved was an adult who consented to the sexual acts. The motion claims that the men involved in the Freak Off sessions with exes Cassie and Jane Doe were hired through legit businesses. Additionally, they were paid for their time. The docs further allege they even befriended Cassie and Jane outside of their sexual encounters. Diddy’s team is saying he was “producing amateur pornography” for private viewing with consenting adults. They’re pulling the First Amendment card, claiming any recordings were protected free speech.
Alternatively, They Want An Acquittal
If the judge does not budge with an acquittal request, Diddy’s team is also open to settling for a new trial. They mention “spillover prejudice” coming up in the trial from evidence like the 2016 Intercontinental Hotel footage. According to the filing, that video only got played because of the RICO and sex-trafficking charges, both of which Diddy beat. “It would never have been admitted at a trial solely on the Mann Act counts, as it was irrelevant and unfairly prejudicial,” the docs read. They’re arguing that the trial would’ve looked different without those dropped charges. They’re counting on the Second Circuit’s “retroactive misjoinder” to get a redo with just the Mann Act evidence.
Recap Of Diddy’s Trial Verdict
On July 2, the verdict dropped after a two-month trial in Manhattan. Diddy walked away acquitted of his most significant charges: sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. But he did get hit with two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution under the Mann Act. These charges, tied to moving Cassie, Jane, and male escorts for those “Freak-Offs,” could potentially land him up to 20 years in prison.. Prosecutors are eyeing 51 to 63 months, while Diddy’s team is pushing for 21 to 27 months, per Newsweek.
The trial featured over 30 witnesses, including Cassie and Jane, detailing drug-fueled sex parties. During these freak-offs, Diddy allegedly watched and recorded. Despite the verdict, Judge Arun Subramanian denied the rapper bail, citing Diddy’s history of violence. He’s now been locked up in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center since his September 2024 arrest. Additionally, his sentencing is set for October 3, 2025. But with this new motion and whispers of a possible Trump pardon floating, are things looking in Diddy’s favor? Only time will tell.
