Combs is currently serving a 50-month prison sentence after being convicted on two counts related to interstate transportation for pr0stitution. A jury cleared him of more serious allegations, including racketeering conspiracy and s£x trafficking.
In a newly filed appeal with the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Combs’ legal team is requesting either an immediate release, a full acquittal, or a resentencing limited strictly to the charges on which he was convicted.
His attorneys argue that the trial judge improperly relied on conduct tied to charges the jury rejected when determining the length of the sentence. According to the filing, this resulted in a punishment that is significantly longer than the typical sentence for similar convictions.
The appeal was granted expedited status, in part because Combs has already served more than a year in prison — a period his lawyers say exceeds the national average sentence for the offenses involved.
If the appeals court declines to overturn the conviction outright, Combs is asking that the case be sent back to the lower court with instructions to impose a reduced sentence based solely on the jury’s verdict.
Federal prosecutors are expected to submit their response in February, with further filings scheduled in the weeks that follow. Appeals courts rarely reverse trial-level rulings, but the outcome could determine whether Combs remains incarcerated until his projected 2028 release date.
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