Overview
- Combs’s lawyers asked the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to order his immediate release and either enter a judgment of acquittal or vacate the case for resentencing.
- The appeal argues Judge Arun Subramanian acted as a “thirteenth juror” by relying on acquitted racketeering and sex‑trafficking allegations to enhance punishment.
- A jury convicted Combs on two Mann Act counts for interstate transportation to engage in prostitution and acquitted him of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion.
- The defense calls the 50‑month term excessive for the offenses of conviction, noting Combs has served nearly 16 months at FCI Fort Dix and citing typical sentences of less than 15 months as comparison.
- The briefing schedule sets the government’s response for Feb. 20 and the defense reply for March 13, and the filing also raises a separate First Amendment theory challenging the convictions.