Rapper and producer Sean “Diddy” Combs is now trying to clear his name by asking the court to throw out two convictions related to prostitution. If this doesn’t happen, his lawyers plan to request a brand-new trial.
Diddy’s legal team has filed a motion asking that his conviction under the federal Mann Act be changed to a “not guilty” verdict. The Mann Act is a law that deals with transporting people across state lines for sexual activity.
However, Diddy’s lawyers argue that their client never did anything that the law prohibits. They say he didn’t make money from prostitution, didn’t have sex with anyone involved, and didn’t arrange their travel.
Because of that, his team says Diddy shouldn’t have been convicted in the first place. They believe the 55-year-old music mogul didn’t break the law in any way.
During the trial, no one claimed that Diddy had sexual relations with the sex workers. This includes Cassie Ventura and another woman referred to as ‘Jane.’
Instead, witnesses said Diddy only watched or recorded the sexual activities without taking part in them. The sexual acts were between the women and the hired sex workers.
The court also heard that the travel and hotel plans were usually made by the women themselves, not Diddy.
Diddy’s lawyers point out that his role was more like a viewer. They mention that several courts have ruled that watching others have sex, even if you pay to watch, is not the same as prostitution.
They also note that the male sex workers involved were willing participants. These men had friendly relationships with Cassie and ‘Jane’ and weren’t just there for money.
Diddy’s defense further argues that the so-called “freak-offs” were a form of amateur adult filming done for personal use, which they say is protected under the First Amendment.
If the court doesn’t cancel the two convictions under the Mann Act, Diddy’s legal team is asking for a new trial. They want only the relevant evidence included this time.
They believe the video of Diddy assaulting Cassie Ventura shouldn’t be shown again, since he was cleared of the RICO and sex trafficking charges tied to that footage.
The lawyers argue that if Diddy were only facing the Mann Act charges, the video wouldn’t matter and would make the jury unfairly biased against him.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump is reportedly thinking about giving Diddy a pardon. This news comes as the rapper waits for his sentencing in Brooklyn jail.
Diddy was cleared of more serious charges like sex trafficking and racketeering earlier this month. However, he was found guilty of transporting people for prostitution.
The music mogul is scheduled to be sentenced on October 3 and could spend up to 10 years behind bars.
