[11:24]Heat. Heat.
[19:48][Music] Roll the tail.
[56:44][Music] This is the right microphone. This is
[57:40]the correct microphone is inside the judge. He's about to be sentenced.
[58:03]is inside before the judge. is about to speak. Judge will [Music]
[59:18]Welcome everybody to Law and Crimes live coverage of the Shaun Diddy Comb sentencing. I'm Jesse Weber and thank you so much for joining us. So now we are going to provide you updates in real time as this sentencing gets underway
[59:30]for Combmes who will officially learn his fate after being convicted of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution during his federal trial over the summer. We are going to be doing analysis in real time. We are
[59:41]going to be taking your questions in real time. So submit them here on YouTube and I will tell you why today is so different. It's not just because we are talking Shawn Diddy Combmes, the
[59:52]once renowned rap mogul, is going to be sentenced for federal sex crimes. That in and of itself is an unprecedented headline. It is the unknown of today.
[1:00:02]What do I mean by that? We have no idea what the actual sentence will be. There is no pro-forma mandatory sentence here. The defense is asking for no more than
[1:00:12]14 months in prison. He's already served 13 months in the Metropolitan Detention Center. So, if the judge sides with them, he's going to be out in no time. If that's the case, the prosecution is
[1:00:23]asking for 11 years. The probation department, which pro which prepared a report in anticipation of this sentence, they are recommending seven years, three months. So there is a range here and
[1:00:35]this is all up to the judge. Judge Arun Subermanian. It is his discretion following the guidelines. There is a lot of room here. By the way, we also don't know how long this whole hearing will
[1:00:47]last. There is a talk that it might last four hours or 5 hours. We're not entirely sure. We believe that Shawn Combmes will make a statement. We believe his attorneys will make a series
[1:00:57]of statements. Prosecutors will make statements. We believe that they may even read read letters into the record. We believe victim Mia, who testified at trial, will make a statement. This was
[1:01:09]allowed by the judge over the objection of the defense. And just to highlight another point, this all comes after numerous people, family, inmates, those
[1:01:18]who testified at trial, victims, Combmes himself, wrote letters to the judge to try to persuade him one way or another about what this sentence should be. By
[1:01:29]the way, the defense is even trying to get in a video compilation, a montage of Shawn Combmes. Actually, we're going to play you bits of that in the background as we talk. It seems to be very
[1:01:40]consistent with what Shawn Combmes said in his letter, which we'll read as well. The idea being that he has done good in this world. Think about his family, that he could be more of a benefit to society
[1:01:52]on the outside than on the inside. But then you couple that with all of the letters from the people who were affected by Shawn Combmes and his crimes talking about that he should not get any kind of leniency. So there is a lot of
[1:02:04]unpredictability here. Lot at stake. We're going to cover it all. I'm not going to do it by myself. So we have Elizabeth Milner who is inside that courtroom as this hearing goes forward. She'll be on with us later on. We're
[1:02:16]actually gonna do a special episode of Sidebar. We'll talk about everything that happened in that courtroom. But we also have with us Sierra Gillespie who is on the ground outside of that federal courthouse. And we also have with us
[1:02:26]trial attorney Aaliyah Roberts and civil rights attorney Joe Richardson. Thank you so much. This is part one of what could be my all day panel. This could be an all day event. I'm going to start
[1:02:36]with Sierra Gillespie who is outside. Sierra, thank you so much uh for coming here for reporting about what's been happening. Let's first talk about the scene. What is the scene like outside
[1:02:47]that courthouse? And have you noticed anybody anybody of note about who has come there? I I've saw reports that uh the punisher who was one of these uh sex
[1:02:57]workers that had testified at this trial has appeared outside that courthouse. Who have you seen? What is the scene like? >> Good morning, Jesse. The scene here
[1:03:08]today is shockingly calm, especially when we're talking about the fate of Shawn P. Diddy. I mean, is he going to walk free today? Hey, is he going to be behind bars for more than a decade?
[1:03:19]Who's to say at this point? And so, I guess I am kind of shocked that it's not as rowdy. I mean, last time I talked to you, the day the verdict came down, there was baby oil, there was lube all
[1:03:29]outside of this courthouse behind me here in the southern district of Manhattan. So far today, I haven't seen anything like that, but I have seen a pretty big crowd. We've heard a little bit of cheering, but overall, it's been
[1:03:40]pretty quiet. Now, we do know that Diddy's mother, Janice Holmes, has walked in. We know that the family usually comes in, you know, a pretty big sprinter van. We like to capture that and see them walking in because we do
[1:03:51]know his family has been very supportive throughout all of this. There are reports, as you said, that the Punisher, who I believe we've actually talked to, you talked to on Sidebar and then here on our previous live streams, was
[1:04:03]outside here today, too. I'm not sure who else we're going to see, but I mean, we've got our eyes and ears right here at the courthouse to see what's going to happen. >> Um, so we're already getting questions
[1:04:12]in from Carter. Jesse's got his suit on. It's official. It is official. You didn't even need my suit on to let you know that this is official, but uh yes, I do have the suit on. Uh question from
[1:04:22]Picture This and That LLC. Did you really incorporate that? Picture This and That LLC. It's a good name. All right. Where's Elizabeth? Elizabeth is inside that courthouse like she has been been throughout the course of this
[1:04:33]entire trial. Queen Elizabeth, she will be out later to talk about talk to us about what she's seeing, what she's hearing. This is a very pivotal day. Um before we go to more questions, Sierra, I was right about the guidelines, right?
[1:04:44]Like talk to us about what we should be anticipating in terms of a range of a sentence here. >> I think this is really interesting, Jesse, because if we go for the maximum
[1:04:56]here, it could be 20 years, right? Because we have two convictions. That's a max of 10 years per conviction. So 20 total. However, I don't think that's really what we're going to end up
[1:05:08]seeing. The prosecution is asking for around 11 years, a little bit more than that. And then of course the defense says we want 14 months, which if you do the math, shockingly, Diddy has still
[1:05:19]been behind bars since his arrest in September of 2024. So we're at about 13 months right now. That would add an additional month about. So almost time served. And the guidelines are, you
[1:05:30]know, showing we could have the 20 years. The recommendation seems to be between 5 to seven. So, we have a huge range here of what it could be. I mean, anything's on the table really today,
[1:05:41]but again, it's up to Judge Arun Submarinian what's really going to happen. So, that's why we got to pay such close attention to everything that comes out today >> and every detail. So, we are getting reporting uh that Comb's lawyer, Mark,
[1:05:53]Brian Steel, they are talking uh next to the lectern in that courtroom. Alexander Shapiro is standing with Nicole West Morland, another one of Shawn Combmes's uh defense attorneys. Uh the prosecutors
[1:06:04]are seated at the front table. Marine Comey, who was the lead prosecutor in this case, as we know, she has left the prosecutor's office. Uh she is not there. Obviously, she's not a part of
[1:06:15]this prosecution anymore. We have this question coming in uh Sierra from Clarissa Schmidt. How long will the sentencing actually take? It's got to be quick, right? Not necessarily. If based
[1:06:26]on what I said, I mean, this could take hours. >> Oh, yeah. I think it could take hours. we have to go through. Both sides are going to want to present. We know that
[1:06:36]P. Diddy himself is likely going to speak. We don't know how long it's going to take or as far as any of the victim impact statements. It could take hours. I mean, I have heard rumblings that it
[1:06:47]could be 3 to 5 hours. However, there were some rumors. I was talking to Elizabeth Milner this morning before she went into the courthouse that some rumors say this could even trickle into Monday. Now, I think that might be kind
[1:06:59]of unprecedented. That's a rumor. Nothing concrete at all. But we could be here literally all day and we have that prepared. We are going to be here until we have, you know, the sentence handed
[1:07:10]down. >> So, by the way, we put up a poll. We're going to put up polls as well. Uh, did you guys miss our live stream coverage? Big time. 61% say big time they missed
[1:07:19]it. Uh, 21% say sort of. And then I'm all I'm here for Elizabeth. 18%. That's amazing. So Sierra, um, we're gonna just
[1:07:30]stand by. We're gonna, we have more updates that are coming in. I want to bring on, uh, Aaliyah and Joe on this. So Aaliyah, it's great to have you both here. Aaliyah, we have this question that just came in from Beauty Slay. Uh,
[1:07:42]can they try him again for the counts that are not guilty? So, right, racketeering, uh, and two counts of sex trafficking. Can they try him on the counts that are not guilty or does double jeopardy prevent it from
[1:07:52]happening? Ali, I'll start with you. >> No, they Hi, Jesse. Good morning. Thank you for having me. And no, he cannot be tried again. He was tried. He was convicted. Therefore, his conviction
[1:08:04]stands. He cannot be tried for the same crimes again. >> Okay, Joe, I got I got to ask you about this letter from Shawn Combmes. By the way, as I read parts of this, if you
[1:08:14]want, you can put up this potential montage video that will be again potentially played uh in court cuz it kind of echoes very similar to the
[1:08:24]themes in his letter to the judge where he basically said, "I hope this letter finds you well and in good health and spirits." Again, this is the judge Subbermanian. Thank you for the opportunity to express my thoughts to you. First and foremost, I want to
[1:08:35]apologize and say how sincerely I am for all the hurt and pain that I've caused others by my conduct. I take full responsibility and accountability for my past wrongs. This has been the hardest
[1:08:47]two years of my life and I have no one to blame for my current reality and situation but myself. He goes on to say that my I'm sorry can only be so much. Talks about what he went through over
[1:08:57]the past 13 months. Um and then he really gets into putting the blame on himself. I lost my way. I got lost in my journey, lost in the drugs and the excess. My downfall was rooted in my
[1:09:08]selfishness. I had been humbled and broken to my core. Um, he talks about how difficult the circumstances of his incarceration at the MDC are. Says it's
[1:09:18]not to to evoke sympathy, but what he really tries to focus in on the work that he's been doing behind bars. And there's a part of this letter, Joe, where he's talking and it seems about
[1:09:29]the benefit he could be to society on the outside as opposed to inside. Um, you know, he says, "I can't change the past, but I can change the future. I know that God put me here to transform
[1:09:39]me. Since incarceration, I've gone through a spiritual reset. I'm on a journey that will take time and hard work. I'm proud to say I'm working harder than I have ever before." Um, he goes on to say, "Today, I humbly ask you
[1:09:50]for another chance." This could be what he says in open court today. And we believe he's actually going to be allowed to wear uh civilian clothes uh as he does this. By the way, this is images of when he did the marathon back
[1:10:01]in the day. I I have two questions for you, Joe. A, how much of an impact will Shawn Combmes statements, this letter
[1:10:08]have on the judge? And B, if this letter and if this video is allowed in, I have to wonder, is the judge gonna look at
[1:10:19]all that and say, "Yeah, all the good that you did, all this time with your family, was at the same time you were committing crimes." And and I'm curious
[1:10:29]again, the overall impact of the letter and the video. >> Yeah, I mean, you know, of course, he's going to fall on the sword. That that's what he's going to do. Um, I think the
[1:10:39]letter to my mind has a better chance of making an impact. Uh, because there's no presentation and you have to figure out whether or not you really want to believe it. Uh, but it's not going to be
[1:10:51]a shiny video. Uh, he was great at making videos. He was great at presenting. He's always been good at that. And to your point, while he was doing all the good in the past that he
[1:11:01]was doing, he was beating the heck out of these women and doing some things that that that really he doesn't want to remind the judge of, right? So, I think he's got to be careful about the whole
[1:11:11]video thing because there's no jury here today. I always thought that the jury could help him because they wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt and and that he's the guy that they've seen
[1:11:22]all of these years, over the years, but the judge is not that guy. And so he has it's a very slippery slope to keep from coming off as too shiny and too, you know, fill in the blank in light of
[1:11:34]everything he actually has done and in light of everything that he was doing while he was doing all this good. He's got to focus more on the good he can do in the future, not even the good that he did in the past because while he was
[1:11:45]doing good in the past, um, these women were going through a private hell. So, we'll see how much of an impact it actually has. My sense is the letter and his words, if he says something to the
[1:11:56]judge, has a better chance of making an impact, piercing through and hopefully coming off as sincere. The film, you know, the the slideshow, whatever it is, is a presentation. Whether it's
[1:12:06]heartfelt or not, there's still this veil of presentation that he's got to get around and we all know he can present. He's always been able to do that. So, in and of itself, that's not going to carry the day.
[1:12:17]>> Aaliyah, we have this question from uh Sydney Sexton. been watching since day one of the trial. Thank you for the coverage. Thank you so much for saying that. A question, what are your predictions on the length of the
[1:12:27]sentencing? Um Aaliyah, obviously I'll give you the floor to answer that. But but I guess the other question is, and I focus on something I mentioned before, the reason this sentencing is so
[1:12:36]significant is because of the unknown. This is not a CA murder case where there's the judge listens to victim impact statements and already has to go in and says it's going to be life without the possibility of parole. This
[1:12:48]is a case where I do wonder how much is the judge going to be persuaded by all of the letters, all of the statements, you know, do you think he's already made up his mind and what do you think that
[1:13:00]sentence could be? It's >> a great question, Jesse. I think that I'm thinking somewhere in the range of 5 to seven years. The reason I think that
[1:13:11]is because I feel like that, for lack of a better term, it splits the baby, right? So the prosecution wants 11 years, the defense
[1:13:22]wants 14 months. So 5 to seven years will definitely split the baby for l for lack of a better term in that it shows that it's
[1:13:33]not simply you did your time and you're done. >> Yeah. And I think that's a good point. Um you know Joe, we got a qu again very similar to what I just asked this
[1:13:44]question from Monica Price. Has the judge already decided or can he literally decide in court? Your re your opinion about that? Some people have looked at what Judge Subbermanian has
[1:13:55]done in the past, denying him bail, denying him the motion to throw out the convictions. They say, "Oh, that means he's really going to go heavy." So maybe maybe he'll go 11 years. Who knows? You persuaded by that? What's your
[1:14:06]prediction? >> Well, I'm sure the judge has some thoughts, right? Because it's his job to have some thoughts, but he's supposed to be moved by what happens today, right? So, he's actually supposed to have an
[1:14:17]open mind in terms of where things go. Uh, he doesn't seem like a quote soft judge. He didn't let him stay on the street, didn't bail him out despite three or four requests. So, it's going
[1:14:28]to be interesting to see where he lands. And I think a important question, a related question what we're asking is how far is he going to deviate from the guidelines because what Aaliyah is talking about is really something that's
[1:14:39]co close to what the guidelines would be, right? You know, so what is it about P Diddy that perhaps makes him veer much below the guidelines or veer much above the guidelines, right? And so the
[1:14:51]question is how far away is he going to go from that? I think that because it's a circus potentially because there will be presentations today and a longer presentation and such a potential
[1:15:02]divergence in what he could really receive. the judge really would have to have an open mind going in today because he really doesn't know what he's going to see and it's a little bit unusual. So
[1:15:12]my sense is he hasn't decided yet hopefully right and hopefully he considers and in his rendering he talks about what he considered including and
[1:15:22]particularly what he saw today. >> Uh Sierra so first of all we're getting an update from court. Want to let everybody know we're going to have updates from court. We're going to re them read them to you in real time. There's no cameras allowed. So, but
[1:15:34]we'll let you know what's happening. Uh Shawn Combmes has been brought in. He's wearing a white shirt, so he's not wearing his uh MDC clothes. He puts his papers under the table. He's been
[1:15:44]leaning back. He blows a kiss to the gallery. His mother uh Brian Steel is standing next to him, whispering in his ear. So, we're about to start this sentencing hearing right now. Um Sierra,
[1:15:54]there have been a flurry of letters. There has been a flurry of communication to the court in anticipation of this sentencing. What are some of the notable letters that the judge has received in
[1:16:05]anticipation of this? >> He's received multiple different letters in all of this. And I guess it makes sense, right? Because both sides want a
[1:16:16]win here. We didn't see a complete sweep in terms of the conviction. We heard all of the drama there. Overall, a win for Diddy. So, the prosecution wants as much time as they can get, right? So they're
[1:16:26]going to bring forth letters talking about that. But counter the defense on the same side of things, they want as little time as they can get for P. Diddy. So of course we've seen notice that Diddy himself has prepared a
[1:16:38]statement. You know that he likely will read it if that is allowed. Then of course we have the information about um other victim impact statements talking about Cassie Mia. There's been some back
[1:16:49]and forth here that the defense says we don't want Mia to speak. This has nothing to do with her. his conviction has nothing to do with Mia. Why why are we even bringing that up? So, that's one of the other additional letters. Then
[1:17:00]there's also information from Gina. If we're going back to the trial and talking about this, this is victim number three, who if you guys remember, go back in your memory bank. Initially,
[1:17:10]victim three was going to be Gina going to testify for the government. Then in the final hour, the government said, "We don't know where she's at. Like, we're we don't we don't have her." So, suddenly there were only three victims
[1:17:22]rather than the four. And since all of this has come out, Gina has said, "I felt that I was, you know, pressured by the prosecution to come forward and say that I was a victim when I wasn't
[1:17:33]really." So the defense now has this in their back pocket, a letter of support for P. Diddy. So we've got multiple letters, you know, support against some of the victims, the allegations, all of
[1:17:44]it is kind of culminating today with sentencing. >> Yeah, that that's a really good point. And Aaliyah, it it was kind of shocking, right? Gina comes out and says, "I was pressured uh by the prosecution." But I wonder if the judge will look at that,
[1:17:55]and by the way, this is not me saying which way the judge should go. I'm just wondering, kind of surmising what the judge may say. Could the judge look at Gina's letter and say, you know, she really
[1:18:05]wasn't part of the case that the jurors found him guilty of? Like what Gina says doesn't affect the fact that he was found guilty of transportation to engage
[1:18:16]in prostitution. I'm looking at those crimes that he was convicted of. Or can the judge say, "You know what? It does tell me a little bit of something."
[1:18:26]I I think it go it could go both ways. Honestly, it really just depends on the judge. I think that the fact that this witness specifically keeps saying that, well, the prosecution made me feel like
[1:18:37]a victim versus actually being a victim and then potentially writing writing a letter in support. I mean to the to the extent that the judge considers her letter, right? It would be the give the
[1:18:48]same weight as other people who are in support of Diddy, right? I mean, Young Miami's name was mentioned many times throughout this trial or or at least in in the coming up to the trial and she wrote a letter in support as well,
[1:18:59]right? So, I imagine the judge would give the same amount of weight as as he would give to her letter. >> Um, okay. So, we have an update from court. All rise. This has begun. Clerk,
[1:19:10]this is US verse Shan Cones. Judge Sub Romanian says, "Do we have the signed order of forfeite?" Uh, prosecutor Slavic says, "Yes, I am handing it up." Judge, first, I'll go over that. I have
[1:19:21]received and the pre-sentencing reports I'll hear from the party. So, we're getting underway right now. Uh, we have a poll up. Do you think Diddy will walk
[1:19:28]out a free man today? 58% say no. 23%
[1:19:34]say yes. 19% say hard to say. Um, so Joe Fabola Delgado, LeBron says, "Joe, I took your advice on the glasses. Mine
[1:19:45]haven't been clearer." There you go. There we go. Glasses became a big part of our conversation as we were talking about this. >> It's crazy. Anyway, >> the darnest thing. >> Yeah. Okay. Do you feel there is a
[1:19:55]possibility that Diddy will be able to walk away today due to time served? I I mean, I don't think it's going to be even if he gets time like he just walks out of the courtroom like it's law and
[1:20:06]order. There is he has to be he actually has to be processed, right? >> Yeah, he he does. I mean, he wouldn't walk out that very moment. Uh but the
[1:20:16]question would be could he get a time served situation where technically all he would have to do is process to come out. And although it's possible, I don't think it's probable. I don't think it's
[1:20:28]going to happen. I I don't think he's going to get out today. I think he's going to get some amount of time more than what the defense is asking for. Clearly, the defense of course is going to ask low, prosecution is going to ask
[1:20:38]high. The judge is going to wind up somewhere between the two. There's a question as to which one he'll wind up closer to, right? You know, could he wind up in that four to six, five to
[1:20:49]seven range, that would be the sentencing guidelines or is this a situation where because of how unusual it is, because of the the star, the magnitude of who John P. Diddy Combmes
[1:20:59]is, he winds up lower or higher. I mean, those things can cut both ways. But even if he were to get free, as it were, he would still have to process out. So he wouldn't walk out that very moment, you
[1:21:11]know, with diddy music playing in the background. I mean, it would it would completely undermine, by the way, this whole idea of being somber, of being sorry, of being regretted, things like that. I think he'd have to be concerned
[1:21:22]about that as well. even if he does get out, he would need to be somber and need to be humble because otherwise he becomes this person that he was before and this becomes a thing that makes
[1:21:33]everybody go the people particularly that feared for their safety etc that were sympathetic to Cassie and others uh you know oh here we go again. >> It's a good point. Uh we have an update from court. Judge says I've received the
[1:21:44]defense's reply memo of October 2nd and the letter from Mr. Combmes and the video which we're showing you right now and the video the defense plans to play here in court. I appreciated the
[1:21:55]letters. I've received the government's letters from Miss Ventura and others meaning you know the the victims in this case. I appreciate them. Now Aaliyah, I don't know what to take away from when
[1:22:05]he says I appreciate them. Does it signify that he's thinking about them? Does it signify that he's going to use it in his his calculus, his
[1:22:16]determination, his analysis, or he just says, "Hey, listen, I appreciate them submitting them." >> I think the judge is very particular in the words that he used. I think by saying, "I appreciate them." He's
[1:22:27]acknowledging that he's received them, that he's reviewed them, and that he is going to take those letters into consideration. I think I appreciate is a better word than I've reviewed, acknowledged, and understand. It's a
[1:22:39]very short way of saying, "Hey, I got them. Hey, I'm looking into them. Hey, I'm gonna I'm gonna uh consider them when making my decision, but I'm not going to say I'm considering them while
[1:22:50]making my decision. >> We have an update for you. Okay, Sierra, I'm going to throw this to you. So, Shawn Col's defense attorney says, "We're going to submit a course
[1:23:00]evaluation from MDC where he's been housed." Uh, prosecutor Slavic says, "We don't have a copy." The judge says, "Please give her one." Put that to the side. Prosecutor Slavic just announced
[1:23:12]Mia Mia no longer wishes to address the court here today in part due to the letter submitted by the defense bullying
[1:23:22]Sierra. That is a big update that Mia apparently will no longer make a statement in court because we know the defense was trying to object to her testimony, object to her statement. The
[1:23:33]prosecution did accuse them of bullying her and you know characterizing her in a certain way. We can talk back and forth about her testimony during the course of this trial whether or not it helped or hurt the prosecution. But the fact that
[1:23:44]she is apparently no longer going to make a statement in court apparently because of what the defense said in their letter. Your reaction to that? >> I mean this isn't the first time that
[1:23:56]we've heard this sort of argument from the prosecution. Right. If we go back to the trial, they were saying how important it was for these women, these survivors to come forward, not just for
[1:24:06]this case, but for any sort of case across the entire country when we're talking about sexual assault allegations. And essentially what they said is they have seen bullying, they have seen coercion, they have seen
[1:24:18]threats, all from Diddy and his team. And again, these were allegations, but basically the prosecutors say, you know, from the start, you guys have been bullying all of these survivors into not
[1:24:29]coming forward. That's what happened with Gina. Now, of course, we do know what Gina says now. She says that it was prosecutors actually, conversely, who are the ones who are kind of making her feel as though she was a victim. But
[1:24:41]here, this allegation that Mia has been bullied by the defense, I mean, I guess we should pay attention to it and put some sort of weight into it because if
[1:24:50]Mia truly does feel that her um safety is at risk here, that's very important to consider because she does have the right to be able to speak. And it's very important that she would be heard. But,
[1:25:02]I mean, I'm very interested to see what the defense has to say about all of this because I assume they're going to say, "Hey, there was no bullying here. We we did none of that. We were well within our rights." So, I think that's important, too.
[1:25:12]>> Yeah. Remember, Mia testified that she was sexually assaulted uh by Shawn Combmes multiple times. In her letter to the judge, she said that the sentence should reflect the years of coercion,
[1:25:23]financial abuse, humiliation, physical and sexual violence, and the profound trauma that he has inflicted uh as a result. It doesn't take away that that letter was submitted. So, the judge could still consider the letter. It's
[1:25:34]just the fact that she's not going to appear in court um I think is also quite significant. Um, we have an update from court. Prosecutor Slavic says, "We think the defense's letter violated your
[1:25:44]honors rules again regarding their how they fought back against Mia." Judge says, "I thought the tone was inappropriate and it should not happen again. Anyone beyond Mr. Combmes, uh,
[1:25:55]Brian Steele, one of Shawn Comb's uh, defense attorney, says the Reverend and Mr. Comb's children will come up and stand together." So, it appears we're going to hear multiple people during the course of this hearing. Um, very
[1:26:07]interesting. So, from Stilo Suave, have any of the letters in Combs trial been made public yet? Yes, you can see all of them. Um, they're all out there. I was reading the one from Shawn Combmes as
[1:26:16]well. Um, Aaliyah, question from words 789. Why is P Diddy allowed to wear civilian clothing when he's already been
[1:26:25]convicted and is in custody? >> It's really just about presentation. You want the judge to consider this individual, Mr. Combmes in this in this case as a person and not as a criminal,
[1:26:37]right? Even though he has been convicted, even though the sentencing is still being considered, you don't want to be sentencing someone in jail clothes. It kind of it taints the image
[1:26:48]that the defense is trying to put forth that even though I was convicted, even though I did do these wrongs, I'm still a father. I'm still, you know, a a
[1:26:58]person of the community that wants to support the community and I want to be looked at and considered as such. >> Um, going back to questions as we wait for more updates, so just submit your
[1:27:09]questions on YouTube. We'll make sure to answer them here on air. Um, okay. This is from Dungaroo TV. It's a good question. Uh, Joe, are there any precedents that could give us an idea of
[1:27:19]how long Comb's sentencing will be? I mean, that was battled back and forth by the prosecution and the defense in their memos, their sentencing recommendations, looking at past cases. I I think it is
[1:27:31]interesting and notable to talk about the fact that he was only convicted of these crimes as opposed to these crimes in connection to an overarching racketeering conspiracy case or a sex
[1:27:42]trafficking case. There was the question about whether or not he would even be brought up on those charges, the transportation to engage in prostitution charges, what he was convicted of, if those were the only charges, if they weren't connected. But he was acquitted
[1:27:54]of the most serious charges. So, when we're talking about precedent here purely on these prostitution charges, is there precedent on what the range
[1:28:04]could or could not be? Yeah, there's precedent on the charges themselves, but there's not precedent on this particular individual, who he is, how he is, how this happened. They made a very
[1:28:15]interesting argument. It was unsuccessful about saying, "Hey, he was just a guy that just liked to watch things happen. He should never have been convicted on even the things that he was convicted on. So, if the if it was just
[1:28:26]about the president, someone is convicted for this crime." If that was the case, the sentencing guidelines are four to six, five to seven, right in there. And the parties wouldn't be deviating from them too too much, right?
[1:28:37]But that's what's so amazing about this. What's being asked for is so divergent. I think it suggests that either there's no precedent at all or there's
[1:28:46]distinguishing elements that say you should deviate very high or very low from what the charges themselves would normally warrant under this
[1:28:56]circumstance. So there is precedent, but there isn't. I hate to talk out of two sides of my mouth here because I feel like I am. But Diddy changes everything. He he makes things look different
[1:29:07]potentially and he makes for an argument. He can say all these things that I can do in the community. The other side, the prosecute can can say all the damage he done because of all of the things that were brought before the
[1:29:19]court even though he wasn't convicted of those things. There's a been a whole lot of discussion from me and Agina about people, you know, acquitted conduct being considered and all of these other
[1:29:29]things. So, he really changes the calculus on what would normally be a precedent based on the actual crimes themselves. That's a clear question. The
[1:29:40]more complicated question is how does Diddy change the potential precedent or get rid of it alto together? >> Uh, some updates in courts. They're going back and forth about who will be
[1:29:50]allowed to speak in the sense that the judge says, "Look, I overruled the defense wanting to exclude Mia." So, what about uh who the defense wants to
[1:29:59]call in? Um it seems like the judge is going to allow the children and a Dr. Johnson, this Reverend Doctor uh to um to speak as well. He's going to be
[1:30:11]thinking about the others. Um okay, got a super chat question. Thank you so much. Super chat question from free. Uh, I'll go to you, Aaliyah. This is uh from free. Does Diddy get to go last with the
[1:30:22]video and the letter? Uh, so will he make the last statement and provide his letter or his statement as well as this video that we've been playing in the background. >> Um, as we've been speaking before, I'm
[1:30:34]not sure that the video actually comes in as far as the sentencing is concerned. I think the judge saying that he received it and reviewed it is probably as much as we're going to
[1:30:44]receive regarding the video in the sentencing hearing today. I also think that it depends on the judge and his preference and what he wants to hear. Is it normal or customary for the defendant
[1:30:55]to have his statement last sometimes, but the judge might want to hear from the victim's last? It really just depends on how this judge wants to run his courtroom. >> By the way, this is such an interesting
[1:31:05]update that we just got in. Um the judge is talking about what he can and cannot consider. This became a big topic post
[1:31:15]verdict and going into sentencing. As to the objections, the defense says acquitted conduct cannot be considered, meaning regarding all the conduct that
[1:31:26]supported the racketeering conspiracy case and the sex trafficking charges. Uh there was no guidance from any court on this. The judge says, "We don't know what the jury was thinking, but it's
[1:31:36]about overlapping conduct, and it only impacts the advisory guidelines range." That's a good question here, right, Joe? What can the judge consider here? Can
[1:31:45]the judge consider the beating of Cassie Ventura in that 2016 tape? Did it really support the jury's findings with respect to transportation to engage in
[1:31:56]prostitution? You ask me, it seemed that it was more about was that sex trafficking? you know, the the transportation to engage in prostitution felt, was Shawn Combmes transporting sex
[1:32:07]workers and these victims for the purposes of sex work? If there was a money trail, voice notes, text messages, you could prove that case without even
[1:32:17]the 2016 video, but should it be considered for purposes of sentencing? Yeah. I mean, that's what's really, really interesting here because I believe there's overlap between the
[1:32:29]crimes that they were trying to convict him of. So, even though you're not supposed to have acquitted conduct considered, if you're if you're considering me a statement, if you're considering certain
[1:32:39]things that really went towards the other crimes for which he was acquitted, how is it not arguably acquitted conduct? it it's things that would go to
[1:32:49]both transportation as well as the criminal conspiracy which he was ultimately uh acquitted of. How is it not crossing the line and being in that gray area there? So, he's not supposed
[1:32:59]to consider acquitted conduct. But I think that there's such potential for overlap here. The judge is going to have to be really careful about what he actually does consider, what comes in,
[1:33:10]etc. in that regard. And I think that there's argument back and forth. I mean, that's why there was objections about certain uh uh people's information and letters coming in because there's a question as to whether or not this is
[1:33:21]about the acquitted conduct for which he was not convicted. And so, it's an open question. Certain things aren't supposed to get in, but there's so much crossover and overlap. I think there's gray area and I think it could be muddy.
[1:33:33]>> Uh Sierra, we got a question from Dungaroo TV. What do you think the repercussions will be for Shawn Combmes after all of this blows over? I guess the question would be putting aside the
[1:33:43]sentence, let's say he's released, you know, let's say he gets 14 months and he's released or let's say he gets two years, he's released, he comes out, what is what are the repercussions for him?
[1:33:53]Because he could still lead a life. He still has a career. He still has businesses. He's got over 60 lawsuits he's got to contend with. But what are the repercussions in your mind after
[1:34:03]covering Shawn Combmes for such a long time? >> I think that this is such a good question, right? It's really why all of us are interested in the case in the first place because to see the downfall
[1:34:14]of someone like P. Diddy who prior to his arrest was literally receiving the key to New York City where we are right now and now he's behind me in federal court. I mean it's a major fall from
[1:34:26]Grace. And that begs the question, what's going to happen? I mean he's already been in jail for more than a year at this point. Whatever happens with sentencing will happen. He'll serve his time. He'll get released. Whatever.
[1:34:37]But I think the big question here is what's next for his career. I mean, we know that P. Diddy is undoubtedly very charming. He, you know, charmed the masses with his huge music career. On
[1:34:49]top of that, you know, we're talking about some of the brands that he had in regards to alcohol. Then there was his clothing line. And since all of these allegations came forward and some of the
[1:34:59]civil lawsuits, he has seen a bit of issues as far as the business side of things. So, I guess that's really the question. Will he be cancelled from all of this? Will his career be completely
[1:35:10]gone? Honestly, I don't think so. Because just being down here at the courthouse, there are still supporters for Diddy. There are still people who say, "Yeah, Diddy is a father figure to
[1:35:20]me. Diddy is a mentor to me." All of these things. So, I think some people will make up their minds and say, "I'm done listening to it. I don't want to hear anything he puts out. I'm never going to buy another Shawn John item
[1:35:30]ever again." but then some people who are the diehard fans will help continue to perpetuate the future of his career. I think it's kind of a wait and see situation. >> It's a good point. Um so again, the
[1:35:42]judge is considering whether or not uh acquitted conduct could be considered for purposes of sentencing. Judge said acquitted conduct can be considered. He cites a second circuit case and other cases even matters that cannot be
[1:35:53]considered for the guidelines can be considered under a specific legal statute. Um, now the US's objections. They argue for the criminal sexual abuse guideline. We'll learn a little bit more
[1:36:05]about this. Aaliyah, how does he tackle all of the civil lawsuits that he's facing? >> Well, he has a reverend in the
[1:36:17]courtroom. Maybe he should pray about it because that's probably the only way he's going to get he's going to get away with all these civil lawsuits. As we know in civil court the burden is significantly less than in criminal
[1:36:28]court. In criminal court you have to prove the prosecution has to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. In civil court that is not the same. That is not the same. It's a it's a significantly lower standard. And I think the evidence
[1:36:40]that has been profered and has been presented in criminal court will undoubtedly be the foundation and the support for these civil lawsuits going forward. I think that he should call his
[1:36:50]reverend and call his accountant and you know that's all I've got for that because he's going to be fighting these for a very long time. >> Look, he's trying to battle it each case at a time or or several cases at a time
[1:37:02]basically, you know, motions to dismiss or saying how can we fight against people suing him anonymously. If you can convince a court that they shouldn't proceed anonymously under a pseudonym,
[1:37:13]those people may decide, hey, you know what? I I don't want to make myself public. I don't want to go further with the case. that may end it. So, it's a tricky battle and it's a lot of cases. Um, question, Joe, from dropping the
[1:37:23]tea. What's everyone's thoughts on what he may get? So, I haven't I haven't even given my perspective here. Um, but I'll just tell you, Joe, I'm curious your thoughts. I I don't think he's getting
[1:37:34]20 years, okay? I don't think the judge is going to go well past. But I also have to say something that really needs to be considered here is the fact that he did this multiple times. I think
[1:37:45]that's a key point that it wasn't a one-off. It was a a pattern of doing this with sex workers payment. It became
[1:37:55]a system. And I think whether the judge considers the use of violence or considers the use of drugs, it it's how many times he did that which makes it
[1:38:04]aggravated and why we may see something closer to maybe five to maybe even seven to 10 years. I I I mean, is that totally
[1:38:14]outside the realm of possibility, Joe? >> I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility at all. Um, Diddy was a tyrant, man. You know, he he did some things he he shouldn't have done. He
[1:38:23]done them over and over again. I've said to you a million times, I'm still trying to figure out how he didn't convict get convicted 20 years ago with the Shine situation. Um, and and you know, back
[1:38:34]then, he goes through what he goes through. He does a religious album and you know, and and I've learned my lesson and all. We've been through all this before. We've seen I already know what all of this is like. So, there's a
[1:38:46]possibility that the judge is a little less sympathetic because of what happened and how habitually it happened. And we all kind of know that the fact that he had the resources between that and the prosecution really overshooting
[1:38:57]this thing is really how he kind of escaped. Regular you or me probably wouldn't have gotten off from these things. Okay. And so, you know, literally the judge can see there is a
[1:39:07]path. I can see a path where the judge could be pretty pretty hard on him because not only was he convicted of two crimes instead of one, but there was, to
[1:39:16]your point, this redundant, repetitive thing, he acted lawlessly. And does he really learn his lesson if he walks out before Christmas this year? This this
[1:39:27]this becomes this this soap opera tel nolla story with this happy ending. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Cassie and everybody else are scared to death.
[1:39:38]Their lives are are ruined, destroyed. They've had to completely rebuild there. There's something that might be unfair about that in the eyes of the judge. And so, therefore, he could deviate up from
[1:39:49]the uh from the guidelines. We'll see what happens, but I certainly see a path for it. >> There is um some more updates from the court. Judge says there's little precedent on what type of threat is required, but bodily harm makes the most
[1:40:00]sense. concrete harms to force Jane and Miss Ventur to engage in sex acts. Does this conduct establish the convicted conduct? There was the flight from can
[1:40:12]judge uh says did that meet the requirement of bodily harm threat? There was evidence of that in the case with respect to the hotel nights and freakoffs, but in light of the constitutional questions raised, the
[1:40:22]court declines to apply the cross references. Uh since I can consider it, it does impact the sentence. Uh, next, Mr. Combmes's marking of pads as legal.
[1:40:34]That was troubling, but the intention is not clear. The government should have pushed to clarify it, so I will not apply the enhancement. It's a lot of back and forth about what the judge
[1:40:45]consider here regarding the sentencing. I think the legal pads were with what was with respect to what was found, I think, in his jail cell. Um, but it does go to a larger question here. Um,
[1:40:57]Sierra, as someone who covered this case and covered this trial, there are those who will say this is a victimless crime, transporting sex workers for sex work.
[1:41:09]What who who was harmed as a result of this? I think the judge is kind of talking about that in a way. >> I mean, this is really tricky, right?
[1:41:20]because all the things we've been talking about so far on the live stream, the allegations that we had as far as, you know, rack and tearing conspiracy, all of that that was, you know, he was
[1:41:30]acquitted on those counts, but we still have all of that kind of in the back of our mind with the uh testimony from some of those victims. You know, when we're talking about Cassie, Mia, Jane, I don't
[1:41:40]want to come out and say that this is a completely victimless crime. However, I do feel like that's what the defense is saying in all of this. you know, he's done his time. You know, let's give him
[1:41:50]14 months. So, he only has about a month left here at this point. I mean, that's their argument here. But then when you take a look at all of the victim impact statements, we heard the drama today
[1:42:00]about Mia, but of course, we have Cassie Ventura. When you take a look at those things, I mean, it's really hard to ignore that it does seem that there were victims in this case. I mean, that is what they were even called as far as,
[1:42:12]you know, the court transcripts. victim one, victim two, you know, victim four, all of those things. And so, I don't it's it's very muddy. And I think that's why we have this sentencing hearing today so that we can hear from both
[1:42:24]sides because that's really what it's all about, right? Hearing from both sides about their arguments here. We ultimately do have a conviction here. There has to be some sort of sentence. I don't know that I can say it was
[1:42:35]victimless. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. >> Well, it's interesting. We just got this update from the court. The judge says, "The government objects to the probation department not considering Jane and Miss
[1:42:46]Ventura as vulnerable victims. I overrule this. What made Comb's coercion effective was their condition." Anyway, the court would reach the same
[1:42:55]conclusion. Now, Mr. Comb's objections. Okay, Aaliyah, that's interesting, right? So, first of all, as I mentioned before, the probation department recommended seven years. It seems, if I'm reading this correctly, like to
[1:43:07]think that I am, if I'm reading this correctly, it seems the judge is characterizing the victims in this case in a certain way, and that could be a sign of where the judge may be going with this sentence.
[1:43:18]>> I think so as well. I think, um, just from the court of public opinion, um, a lot of people deemed Cassie to not be a victim because she received a check,
[1:43:30]right? That's been a lot that was a lot of the testimony. That was a lot of the cross rather when we were in the trial. Oh, Cassie's fine. Cassie received $20 million. This other individual, Jane do,
[1:43:41]she's fine. She's receiving benefits of travel and lavish and luxury. So, in that sense, it kind of feels like the judge is like, well, yeah, they're victims, but kind of, but not really.
[1:43:53]But, if he keeps this same idea in mind, I'm expecting to get a sentence even less than five years. It kind of seems that he the judge is like, well, yes, there's
[1:44:03]a conviction and yes, there there was sex work that was that was um pro prostitution and transporting across state lines, but these victims were kind
[1:44:14]of coerced, but kind of not. >> By the way, I mean, I I got to tell you, sometimes this happened during our live streams, the court almost answers the questions we're getting involved in. I I
[1:44:26]it's kind of shocking to say the least, but Joe, update from court. The judge says Mr. Combmes objects to characterizing Miss Ventura and Jane as victims. That is overruled. Mr. Combmes
[1:44:37]also objects to the escorts were characterized as victims. That is also overruled. They were transported for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex. And what everybody, by the way, what
[1:44:48]anybody thinks about it, it's still a crime. It's still a crime. And it's a crime that he was convicted of. And it's one of the reasons why it seems the judge denied the defense's motion to
[1:44:59]throw out the conviction. So the fact that he's like, "No, they are considered victims. They are victims under the law." Does it tell you anything, Joe? >> Well, it's a difficult thing because on
[1:45:11]the one hand, Diddy's got this apologetic letter and he wants to be able to make a presentation, etc., etc., etc., but at the same time, his attorneys are doing what they have to do, saying that Cassie's not a victim.
[1:45:22]Like, get your head wrapped around that. like you know here's Denny I'm sorry but they're not victims that that's there's an argument that that's not a good look and if I was his
[1:45:32]attorneys I'd be doing the same thing etc because that's what they're doing but technically speaking the best way I mean he's taking responsibility you know a week after getting a decision that
[1:45:43]says that no these are crimes that you should have been convicted of and there was plenty of evidence here when he said that there shouldn't have been. So, he's got to talk out of two sides of his mouth and he's constantly doing it even
[1:45:55]now. But it does suggest that the judge is not necessarily going to be easy on him or at the very least the judge is saying yes, these are victims. For our purposes, this is not a victimless
[1:46:06]crime. >> Uh Sierra, um before we take a quick break, um for anybody who doesn't know, you're outside the courthouse. Any movement, any activity? What are you
[1:46:16]seeing out there? What's the scene like? Um because again all eyes right now are on that federal courthouse in lower Manhattan. >> Yeah, Jesse, it's interesting. Since the
[1:46:27]beginning of our live stream just about an hour ago, I said things seemed pretty calm out here. I mean, there's a crowd. There's reporters up and down the street, but I was basically saying it's pretty calm. It's interesting that as
[1:46:38]we've been talking over the past hour with Aaliyah and Joe, all of a sudden, I'm starting to hear cheering behind me. I'm starting to see more and more people. I feel like every time I turn around, the crowd behind me outside of
[1:46:49]the courthouse has grown bigger exponentially. So, the crowd is getting bigger, you know, as the day goes on. And I think as we're talking about everything that's going on at inside the courthouse, everybody wants to know,
[1:47:01]okay, well, what's going to happen? What's everyone saying? When's the sentencing coming down? And so, you can kind of feel it in the air. People are cheering. People are excited. We want to know what's going to happen. >> Yep. That is exactly what we want to
[1:47:12]know what happened. Um, so before I sign you guys off, Aaliyah, I'll start with you. What do you think we're getting for a sentence? >> I'm still standing at my five to seven.
[1:47:22]I think that if unless we consider the um the sexual assault guidelines and and those guidelines, if those are any type of enhancements that might be considered, I think 5 to 7 sounds about
[1:47:34]right. We're splitting the baby. We're not letting him get off easy. We're going to give him time served, but he is going to go to jail and serve more than 14 months. So, as the judge is looking over this pre-sentencing report that was
[1:47:46]prepared in anticipation of the sentencing, uh Joe, I go to you. What do you think? >> I think he's going to get to something similar, but I think he's going to lean toward a higher side of that. So, I I
[1:47:57]think he's going to get six or six or more. I'm I'm pretty certain he's not going home today. I'm pretty certain he's not going home in the next couple years. But at the same time, I think this judge will acknowledge president on
[1:48:08]some level and so he won't deviate too too far from the sentencing guidelines, but I think he'll land on the higher end of it. So maybe six years, maybe seven years, six plus.
[1:48:18]>> Aaliyah Roberts, Joe Richardson, thank you both so much for coming on. Uh Sierra Gilles, Sierra Gillespie is going to stay with me. We're going to bring on Alexis Rosenberg. We're going to bring on Tyler Bailey. We are live right now
[1:48:30]with full coverage of the Shaun Diddy Comb sentencing and we will bring it to you here in real time. Stay with us. We'll take a quick break. We'll be right back right after this. Thank you.
[1:56:58][Music] Hey everybody, welcome back to Law and Crimes Live coverage of the Shaun Diddy Comb sentencing at a federal court in
[1:57:09]lower Manhattan. I'm Jesse Weber. Thank you so much for joining us. So, we are bringing you in real time updates about what is happening in that federal courtroom. Now again, there's no cameras
[1:57:19]there, but we are letting you know what this whole day may look like. This may be a four to 5hour sentencing hearing. We believe multiple people will be speaking. There have been multiple arguments right now about even what the
[1:57:30]judge is supposed to consider with respect to sentencing. And let's not forget what's going on here. Shawn Combmes was convicted of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, namely transporting sex
[1:57:42]workers, men and uh victims in this case, Jane and Cassie Ventura. across state lines, international lines for the purposes of sex work. Now, he was acquitted of racketeering. He was a
[1:57:53]racketeering conspiracy. He was acquitted of two counts of sex trafficking. But one of the big discussions today was, can the judge consider acquitted conduct? So, conduct
[1:58:04]that supported the charges he was acquitted of, can he consider that for purposes of sentencing? The judge is allowing it to a certain extent, a limit limited extent. Uh we found out earlier
[1:58:15]today that Mia who had testified in this case saying remember she testified uh in this trial that Shawn Combmes had sexually assaulted her multiple times. She is no longer making a statement in
[1:58:26]court that the allegations were she felt pressured. She felt bullied by the defense team uh because of their letter to the court. They were objecting to her
[1:58:36]testimony and she did not want to go there in public and make that statement. But by all accounts, her letter will still be in the record and still be considered by the judge. The judge has a lot of letters to consider. Letters from
[1:58:47]family, inmates, people who testified in the trial, a letter from Shawn Combmes himself. There's also talk about whether or not a video of Shawn Combmes, this montage that was prepared by the
[1:58:58]defense. That will be heard by the court as well. So, as they work through these uh these preliminary issues about what will be considered and what the sentence should reflect and as the judge reviews
[1:59:09]this pre-sentencing report, what will Shawn Combmes be sentenced to? Prosecutors are asking for 11 years in prison. Defense is asking for 14 months.
[1:59:19]He's already served 13 months behind bars right now. So, he could effectively be released immediately. Now, the probation department that did its own evaluation has recommended seven years.
[1:59:30]This is a really big range and it's going to all be up to the judge. There's a lot of unknowns here. We don't know exactly what the judge will decide. But I want to bring in my panel. And by the way, we're taking your questions on
[1:59:41]YouTube. So if you have any questions about this case, submit them here. We'll answer them in real time on air. By the way, Elizabeth Milner, Queen Elizabeth, she is in that courtroom. She's going to
[1:59:52]come out later, tell us about what she saw and what she heard. But I'm joined once again by Sierra Gillespie, long crimes very own, who is outside that courthouse as we as we speak. I'm also joined by trial attorney, federal
[2:00:03]litigator Alexis Rosenberg, and criminal defense attorney, civil rights attorney, uh, Tyler Bailey. Thank you so much for coming on. Sierra, I go to you. Uh, just paint a picture of what the scene is
[2:00:13]like. And also, by the way, if you can, Sierra, I got to say, one of the big things that came out as we're leading up to this sentencing, all of those letters
[2:00:25]from the inmates, people who have spent time with Shawn Combmes, that he changed their lives. Can you just summarize a little bit about what those letters were
[2:00:36]like? Uh, you know, the judge may consider them, but what is the scene like? And just talk to me about those letters, too. Yeah, Jesse, here in the Southern
[2:00:46]District of New York, it's an interesting scene. Let me just say that. I mean, this is the big day, right? We've all been following the case of P. Diddy probably since November of 2023
[2:00:57]when that first lawsuit was filed by Cassandra Ventura, who later would go on to testify as the government's star witness in the courthouse right behind me. I mean, we've all been waiting for
[2:01:07]what's going to happen today, and it shows here. I mean, up and down the streets, we have cameras. We have reporters from everyone. I mean, AP, CNN, Good Morning America here, Law and
[2:01:18]Crime, the best of the best are here to see what's going to happen. And across the street from me at the courthouse, there's a a pretty sizable crowd, I would say, where people are gathering, you know, reading tweets, I'm sure,
[2:01:29]watching some of our live streams to see what are the updates going on inside of the courthouse. And generally, it's pretty low-key. I will say in the past when I've been here reporting during the
[2:01:39]actual trial and the verdict, you know, deliberations, people were rowdy. There was screaming. We've talked about, you know, the baby oil and lube that was thrown around at the courthouse. I have
[2:01:49]not seen that yet today. So far, it's pretty lowkey, but again, we're still so early, only about an hour into the hearing. The next question you had for me, Jesse, was about some of the
[2:01:59]letters. And this is pretty interesting, right? Of course, we're going to hear from both sides. We've talked a bit about Mia and Cassandra Ventura or Cassie who brought forth the letters. Mia has a bit of controversy today. But
[2:02:11]some people who say, "Yeah, I was abused all at the hands of Shawn P. Diddy Combmes." But then of course, something we've seen really is a throughine throughout this entire case is that P. Diddy does have a lot of support. I
[2:02:22]mean, people the public court of public opinion rather sometimes say P. Diddy's canceled. But then when you take a look at his family who has consistently been showing up for him in court, his
[2:02:33]supporters, his friends, I mean there's a lot. And these letters are saying, you know, Shawn Diddy Combmes changed my life. He's been a supportive father figure or a father, you know, he's been
[2:02:43]a very good person, not only in the way of a businessman, but he has shown positive changes. There has been reform. He's been in jail at Brooklyn MDC for, you know, more than a year now at this
[2:02:55]point. And he has changed. He's sober. he's better. He's learned his lesson and he shouldn't have a lengthy sentence, you know, to be handed down today. So, it is interesting to hear from people
[2:03:06]who say, "Yeah, Diddy, you know, he should face x amount of years, you know, more than a decade behind bars when there are some who say, you know, he should be let out pretty soon." >> By the way, talking about people in
[2:03:17]support of him, we got a question uh from Christina Lester, a super chat question. So, thank you so much, Christina. Thank you for your support. Do we know if Kanye is present today? Kanye West appeared during the course of
[2:03:28]this trial. Um, is he present today? >> Kanye did show up that one day, right? Elizabeth Milner saw him here in the
[2:03:38]flesh. I have not seen Kanye today. I mean, I guess it's still possible. Anything's possible, right? He could waltz down. This is, you know, a court of the United States. He could go in,
[2:03:48]maybe get in an overflow room, but I have not seen Kanye West here today. There's still time. >> There's still time. And you're going to be there. Elizabeth's there. Uh, okay. I I I have to get into some updates from
[2:03:58]the court. Tyler, I'll start with you. Um, this is interesting because look what we're trying to do. We're trying to see if the judge is giving us signs of
[2:04:08]what his sentence will be. So, the judge said earlier on that Shawn Combmes has challenged his factual guilt
[2:04:17]fullthroatedly and has even done so after the trial. Judge says there was Jewels and Paul and Cabral Jules Reggie and Rico. Again, I think they're
[2:04:27]referring he's referring to these, you know, purported sex workers. As to coercion, when something if voluntarily it is uncompelled, that is from Black's Law Dictionary. It's a broad concept.
[2:04:39]The threat to release videos into Jane's home, that's coercion. Mr. Combmes says he was paying for time, not sex. That is contradict. That is contradicted by
[2:04:50]reality. He has not expressed remorse for transporting people for prostitution. Combmes has challenged his guilt full throthedly throatatedly including after trial. By the way, I don't think I've ever said that word in
[2:05:01]my life. Just put that aside. Mr. Combmes wants to apply the zero point offender provision from 2023, but 2024 on other issues. That is not possible under second circuit's one book rule.
[2:05:13]Mr. Combmes objects to the $5,000 assessment under the statute because there are no victims. That is denied. I have the forfeite order. Is this your signature, Mr. Combmes? Combmes replies
[2:05:24]in court. Yes, sir. Mr. Steel, this is Shawn Combmes, defense attorney, one of them. Did you review it? Combmes attorney, Tony Garagos, goes, I did. Judge says, I incorporate the order into
[2:05:34]the judgment in this case. Judge says all remaining objections are overruled. Combmes attorney Tenny Gergo says, "Although you say some points don't impact your sentence, it might impact
[2:05:46]his eligibility for low categorization if you impose an incarcatory sentence." Um, judge says, "We can address that." Uh, Comb's attorney, Alexander Shapiro,
[2:05:56]says, "I'd like to make some more points. We briefed extensively." The judge says, "Well, 380 pages." Uh Shapiro says, "We raise due process the
[2:06:06]fairness concerns set forth by Justice Sonia Sotomayor. We believe uh militate for our interpretation and preclude the court." This is so legal ease. Um then
[2:06:18]there's a question about what they want to preserve for appeal. Judge says, "I'll hear from the government." The government says, "I like to respond after the defense as well. Today is about accountability and justice. For 15
[2:06:29]years, the victim's lives have been shattered by abuse and exploitation." I say all of that, Tyler, and that was a lot, but I say all of that. It seems to me goes back to something we talked
[2:06:39]about earlier. The judge is making very clear that these are serious federal crimes and that there were victims here. And the fact that he's basically interpreting that Shawn Combmes doesn't
[2:06:50]show remorse for this, so doesn't accept that he actually did wrong. I mean, I think that seems to be what he might be suggesting. Uh, that might not be good for Shawn Combmes.
[2:07:00]>> No, not at all. It seems like the judge is putting it out there that Mr. Combmes is not accepting accountability here. That he's challenging the facts of his guilt even despite him being convicted
[2:07:11]of those charges. And that Mr. Combmes really should be accepting some more accountability in his filings. I understand that his defense lawyers are arguing to try to get him on the lower
[2:07:22]end of the sentencing guidelines, but that seems to be right now backfiring with the court because the judge has said that this is he's viewing this as him full throttily I believe uh
[2:07:32]challenging any uh you know responsibility for his actions whether it's coercion versus paying for time and it seems like Mr. Combmes his team should really take the hint here and try
[2:07:43]to roll some things back when it's their time to argue and I think Mr. Holmes is going to fall on that sword. We've already heard about his letter. I'm pretty sure his words to the court would be more so accepting accountability and
[2:07:54]not challenging the facts. >> Yeah. So, he's not going to receive any adjustment to his sentence uh based on him accepting responsibility uh based on this. Uh Alexis, we got an update from
[2:08:05]court. Prosecutor really hammering home uh you know, they're asking for 11 years here. Prosecutor Slavic says this is not a case about this is not just a case about freakoffs and hotel rooms. This is
[2:08:16]about victims. Hard about a man who did horrible things to other people. His currency was control. He weaponized it. All of the 3553 factor point to at least
[2:08:27]135 months. The defense accuses us of seeking 135 months so that the court splits the difference. We think probation's recommendation of 60 months does not account sufficiently for the
[2:08:39]harm to Cassie and Jame. Remember, they were asking for about seven years. Uh the probation department. Um, what do you make of that, Alexis? I mean, look, this is the prosecution's point of view. It doesn't mean that the judge is
[2:08:50]necessarily going to accept 11 years, but they're saying even though he was acquitted of the most serious charges that could have seen him spend 20 years to life in prison, racketeering and sex
[2:09:01]trafficking, even though he was acquitted of that, it can't be it can't be um overshadowed what he was convicted of. I I agree with the prosecutor and I
[2:09:12]think that the court is also agreeing with that based on what they have been saying that we do have victims that were severely damaged in this case and that
[2:09:23]that asking for basically a walk away. I mean the defense is asking for time served more or less and I I don't think
[2:09:32]that the judge is is leaning based on what you just read towards that at all. The prosecution is correct. People were victimized in this case. There was
[2:09:43]testimony and he was convicted related to that. >> Um Tyler, the prosecutor says the defendant tries to argue this is just sex, drugs, and rock and roll lifestyle.
[2:09:54]And by the way, when they say the defendant, they also mean the arguments that were put forward by his defense attorneys in filings leading up to the sentencing. Uh but this is a case about transportation for prostitution and
[2:10:05]violence. The defendant admitted to the violence at trial. The defendant's respect for the law is lip service. Does you know that's a key component of this which I wonder if the judge is going to
[2:10:17]consider here that it's not just one isolated moment of transporting a sex worker across state lines to have a girlfriend have sex with that person. That it was the amount of times that
[2:10:28]this was done. And now based on what the judge said earlier on, he may be considering the violent tendencies that Shawn Combmes engaged in as a characteristic, as a symptom of the
[2:10:40]transportation to engage in prostitution. Are you looking are you thinking right now that Shawn Combmes could get 5 years, seven years, 11 years? >> My prediction is three to seven. I think
[2:10:52]that the government asking for north of 11 is high. I mean, they have overcharged this entire case. I think the defense um asking for 14 months is
[2:11:02]extremely low and I think the probation recommendation for seven is a little bit more of an independent view of it with using the sentencing guidelines and I think the judge should somewhat split
[2:11:13]the baby and I think the judge will give some um weight to the acts of violence but the judge can't overrule the jury who acquitted him on the most serious charges. I don't see think this will be
[2:11:24]a situation where the judge lays a heavy hand down with the violence for charges that Mr. Combmes was acquitted of, but he's certainly not going to ignore it.
[2:11:34]>> I uh I told you that this was an unpredictable day. I didn't know this what I'm about to read to you. Um so prosecutor Slavic and Sierra I I didn't hear this, maybe
[2:11:46]you did just said Mr. Combmes has booked speaking engagements for Miami for next week. That is the height of hubris. He did
[2:11:57]this for 15 years. He was responsible for transporting many escorts. That's a lot of freakoffs and a lot of hotel
[2:12:06]nights. He knew it was illegal. Um, you know, I didn't know that, Sierra, because that would signify he thinks he's getting out. if that's true.
[2:12:17]>> I did not know this either, Jesse. I mean, I Okay, I I'm I'm very shocked about all of this. And I guess as you're going through, I'm reading this update in the same time that you are. And I'm
[2:12:29]thinking the math isn't quite mathing for me, though, because if he was arrested on September 16th of last year, you know, it's early October. We aren't quite at the 13month threshold, and his
[2:12:41]team is asking for 14 months. So then if they're asking for the 14 months, it doesn't make sense if he was to book this in Miami for next week. Is that showing that he's very confident he's
[2:12:52]going to get out even in less than that 14 months? I mean, this I'm shocked by this news. I >> I I'm curious what the defense's response to that will be, that allegation. One more thing, Sierra. Um,
[2:13:03]we have a poll up that says, do you think Diddy will speak publicly after sentencing? So, that's assuming, of course, that he gets time served and is let out immediately, which we don't believe is going to happen because he still has to be processed from the uh
[2:13:15]MDC. But, uh the poll says 38% say yes through a lawyer, 32% say yes immediately, 30% say no. The question I have to you is, have you heard anything
[2:13:27]about what we can expect posts sentencing? What the scene is going to be like afterwards? Do we know if there's going to be any press conference any press conferences from either attorneys, prosecutors, defense
[2:13:38]attorneys, uh victims, anybody? Is there anything set up outside the courthouse for that? >> You know, it's interesting that you say that, Jesse, because right before you
[2:13:49]talked to me, I was literally thinking that what is our contingency plan for what is going to happen. Now, we do have right where I'm at, we've got our camera. You know, I'm coming to you live across the street though, we do we're
[2:14:00]taking a look at it right now. We have that camera completely set up. Now, there's always that podium there every time I've been here in New York just kind of ready to go whatever could happen. So, I guess there's a couple of
[2:14:11]answers for this. Number one, do I think that P Diddy whenever he's sentenced, you know, whenever he h he himself has the availability to speak, will he? Yes, I personally do think that. I mean, we
[2:14:22]know Diddy. We know he's pretty charismatic. We know he has, you know, his story about everything. And I'm sure he wants to share his feelings about all of it after keeping relatively quiet. I
[2:14:33]mean, he didn't testify. Of course, they didn't call any witnesses for the defense. I know Diddy's going to want to talk. Will it be today? I'm thinking probably not. I guess we'll wait and see. However, for the defense and
[2:14:43]prosecution, I would not be surprised if we have some sort of press conference after all of this. Again, we are ready to go if that does happen. I haven't heard anything definitively. I think a lot of it depends on what sort of
[2:14:54]sentence is handed down, but we're definitely ready for it >> or or if he's going to be speaking in Miami. I mean, Alexis, that is if that's true. I I mean, Alexis, that says something, doesn't it?
[2:15:06]>> Well, it says that he appears to continue to think he's above the law, that he can just, you know, basically get away with these crimes, not have to serve any additional time, and go on his
[2:15:18]merry way. And I do agree. He as soon as he can he will be talking but I think this is also consistent with the concern that the judge is having that he is not
[2:15:28]showing any sort of remorse. He he doesn't think it appears that he has done anything wrong. He appears to just think he was railroaded and everything
[2:15:39]he did was correct. These speaking engagements, if true, are very disturbing, and I think they're going to have a major impact on the judge's
[2:15:48]decision with regard to sentencing. >> Well, I wonder if I'm totally off by this, Tyler. Could the defense use this to their advantage? And hey, listen, this is very consistent with what Shawn
[2:15:59]Combmes has been saying in his letter. You know, that he's been doing good on the inside, speaking to inmates, trying to better their lives. He's there's nothing he can change about the past. uh that it's all about his future. Yeah.
[2:16:11]He's got a speaking engagement in Miami because he wants to uh he wants to to warn people. He wants to educate people. You know, he talks about how his life will never be the same after he's been
[2:16:21]in the MDC. Maybe they're going to own up to it. Am I totally off by thinking that? >> I don't think you're off at all. And I don't think the judge is really going to give that too much weight. I mean, every
[2:16:32]defendant wants to be free. Mr. Combmes wants to be free. and he booked a speaking engagement for all he we know he could be speaking to children about staying away from a life of crime, staying away from drugs and excessive
[2:16:44]lifestyle as he said. Now the prosecution is clearly going to say this is a man who has uh ego that's beyond you know human nature and he expects to walk out of jail immediately but I don't
[2:16:55]see there really being any much to this. It's really a nothing burger. I think the the facts are what the facts are. The sentencing guidelines are what they are and I think the judge is smart
[2:17:05]enough to stay on track when both sides try to pull him one way or the other. >> Hey Tyler, can the judge ask Shawn Combmes? Like if Shawn Combmes provides a statement to court and it echoes a lot
[2:17:16]of what he's been saying. Can the judge say, "Mr. Colmes, can I ask you about this booking engagement? Can he ask questions to him during the course of this sentencing?" >> It's a judge's courtroom. He can he can ask questions.
[2:17:27]>> Interesting. Uh Alexis, update from court. Prosecutor Slavic says even in cases that decline to apply the cross reference, significant sentences are handed down, including in this district.
[2:17:38]I guess the bigger question here, Alexis, is what realistically could his sentence be if he was acquitted of the more serious charges. If you couple transportation to engage in
[2:17:49]prostitution, if he was convicted of racketeering conspiracy, he was convicted of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution, that's an enhancer. That's an aggravator. It's part of an overall
[2:18:00]story. But it goes to this idea also like there are people who say he wouldn't have been prosecuted if all the government had was prostitution charges. They wouldn't have gone against they
[2:18:11]wouldn't have filed the charges against him. They would have prosecuted him. So if he was coni acquitted of those serious charges, I I do wonder in and it of itself transportation to engage in
[2:18:22]prostitution. What could he be looking at? for the transportation, it's up to 10 years per count. So, we're talking 20 years is the max that that of what he's
[2:18:33]looking at. But I I mean, I don't think he's going to get anywhere. We've got probation coming in at seven. We've got prosecution only asking for 11. But also, we have to focus on the fact that
[2:18:43]just because he wasn't convicted of those charges, remember there was testimony with regard to support, for instance, the violent aspects. I mean,
[2:18:54]specifically that video. So, um, which he did, um, you know, admit in the public that he did do that. There was that whole video where he was responding
[2:19:06]to, you know, the video in the hallway at the hotel, which was one of the things that the judge did look at and consider with whether he was going to release him post conviction. So, I mean,
[2:19:18]when they're saying that, you know, like you were saying in the crossover that the fact that it was he was acquitted doesn't take away from some of the allegations supporting that violent aspect.
[2:19:30]>> Now, they're talking about com, you know, comparable cases and all that. Here's my question, uh, Tyler. Um, you remember the apology video? remember his apology video that he put forward
[2:19:41]right after CNN had published the 2016 tape of him beating Cassie Ventura. You couple that I'm going to play that for you and then you couple that with what he's saying in this letter to the court
[2:19:52]and what he might say in court where he describes he's been reading and writing, working out, attending therapy, teaching a free game business course to inmates, sharing both successes and failures. Let's compare that to the video uh and
[2:20:04]we'll talk about it. It's so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life. Sometimes you got to do that.
[2:20:15]I wased up. I mean, I hit rock bottom. But I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable.
[2:20:27]I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I'm disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it. I'm
[2:20:37]disgusted now. I went and I sought out professional help. Got to go into therapy
[2:20:47]and go into rehab. Had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I'm so sorry, but I'm committed to be a better man
[2:21:00]each and every day. I'm not asking for forgiveness. I'm truly sorry. >> Now, Tyler, I'm no psychologist. I can't
[2:21:11]read Sean Comb's mind, but I can tell you what the law is. And and and here here's the problem. Here's the problem. Okay. Problem is, if you listen to what the prosecution presented during the course of the trial, he committed crimes
[2:21:23]or allegedly committed crimes after that video. I mean, what was found in his hotel room when he was ultimately arrested in New York? Evidence of freakoffs or wild king nights or whatever you want to call it. There are
[2:21:35]people who looked at that video and said, "I don't believe it. I don't believe he's sincere." So, if we're talking about what he can say, what he can do in court to really fight for his
[2:21:45]life after he's already been convicted. Are there lessons from that video? Is that video going to play a role here? What do you take away from it, Tyler? I think the video will play a role. It's
[2:21:56]out there and it's in the public domain and Mr. Combmes has said that and he's essentially saying the same thing now in his letter to the court where he apologized u take responsibility said
[2:22:07]that he's re rehabilitated himself. He's he's in jail doing the right thing now. And I think the judge is going to make a decision that takes all of that into consideration. Now he has been in jail
[2:22:18]for 14 months. He just went on trial for his life. So he has not this has not been a cakewalk for him and being in jail is not easy for anybody. And so I think the court has a tough call to make
[2:22:29]here. But I do think that you know the letters from inmates him having an effect and impact on their lives. I do think that the judge is going to say he has some redeeming value in the future
[2:22:40]of his life. But that doesn't mean that he escapes responsibility. There has to be some sort of accountability. And I think the court is going to be very aware of that in the the sentence that they hand out. And I don't think they're
[2:22:51]going to let this be something where he just walks out immediately after being processed. >> We got a poll up. How are you feeling as we wait? 52% say here for the drama, 22%
[2:23:02]say anxious, 17% say hopeful, and 9% say angry. I think that's a good kind of, you know, summary of the feelings of this case. Alexis, how much can a
[2:23:13]defendant's statements in court affect a sentence when there is no pro- forma sentence? There is no mandatory this is life in prison. It really doesn't matter what anyone says. There's a lot of room
[2:23:25]here. There's a lot of discretion. How much does it matter? How much does it affect what the defendant says? >> Well, first, if I was taking the poll, I'd have to say I'm here for the drama,
[2:23:33]too. Secondly, I I I you know the the that is taken into consideration, but I mean some of these statements that he's
[2:23:43]making as well as this letter from the inmates, I'm not buying what they're selling with the letters from the inmates. I have a concern that those letters were made because these inmates
[2:23:55]possibly think that when they get out there'll be some benefit to them, you know, making that once Diddy is out. So, I'm not buying what they're selling there. But the court does take into
[2:24:06]consideration that. But what they're really looking for from the defendant is that he has remorse. That he
[2:24:15]acknowledges what he has done is wrong and that he wants to move forward in a positive and be a productive part of
[2:24:24]society and not go back out and could, you know, reuse drugs and abuse people and do the things that he was previously doing. And with the that he's clean,
[2:24:36]he's in jail. So, I mean, that doesn't mean there are plenty of inmates that have gone clean in jail and went right back out, start using again. So, that,
[2:24:46]you know, to me that doesn't really say that doesn't say much uh either. this speaking thing, as much as Tyler is saying that he doesn't think it's that big of a deal, I don't think it's a huge
[2:24:56]deal because I do I, you know, I could turn around as a prosecutor and potentially argue that it's revictimizing the victims that he's going to go out and he's going to be living, you know,
[2:25:08]free and potentially making these speaking engagements, making them feel unsafe. So, I mean, there's obviously good lawyers can argue both sides of the coin, but yeah, they're going to be
[2:25:19]looked at, but it's, you know, it's a balancing act. By the way, you know, Tyler, CNN is reporting that in court today, the judge
[2:25:29]has accepted that the range of 70 to 87 months, so we're talking about what, 5 to 7 years that was recommended in the
[2:25:38]pre-sentencing report is appropriate, that there would be no reason to deviate from that. That also saying that the the guidelines allow a fine of $25,000 to
[2:25:50]$250,000. He's going to prison. Is that what we're saying? He He's going to prison for several years. Is that what we're saying, Tyler? >> Well, it sounds like the court has indicated that he's going to jail. Um I
[2:26:01]think the sentencing guidelines here and the report that we received from probation clearly showed that I uh he hasn't given a sentence yet. Uh but it seems like he's accepting the the
[2:26:12]recommendation and Mr. Combmes is going to be spending some time in jail. By the way, do do they we got some commentary about this. In the federal prison system, um do you have to serve 85% of
[2:26:23]the sentence before you're eligible for parole? How does it work? Do you know >> it? It depends. I do think he'll be eligible for early release with his with these with these two counts.
[2:26:34]>> Interesting. All right. Uh we got a super chat question. Sierra, I'm going to go to you. Uh this is from Christina Lester. Second super chat question from Christina Lester. Thank you so much. Uh, has Shawn Combmes been subject to any
[2:26:45]drug testing while in jail? >> Christina, this is such a good question because as we know now in P. Diddy himself, talking to the court, he says,
[2:26:57]"I've been sober for the first time in decades. I've had, you know, reform. I've learned a lot while I've been in jail." So, the question mark here is, has he been subjected to drug tests?
[2:27:07]Well, there's no definitive reporting on that. I think it's definitely possible. But what I will say is if you recall P Diddy trying to make bail, not once, twice, three times. He kept going back
[2:27:19]wanting to make bail over and over and multiple times we reported it right here on Law and Crime. It was denied. However, what I do want to note is that Diddy himself offered when he was making
[2:27:29]these bids for bail. Yeah. Okay. I'll take drug tests weekly if that's something that you want to make sure that I'm sober. I'm I'm willing to do that. So, I think it's really interesting that when he was hoping to
[2:27:40]know, you know, get bail, he said, "I will do these drug tests voluntarily." Now, he's saying he is sober. So, has he been doing drug tests behind bars? Unclear, but I guess I would tend to
[2:27:51]believe that maybe he is sober based on his voluntary uh drug test that he said he would do. >> Um, so we got an update from court. Okay. So, the prosecutor is really
[2:28:02]hammering away at Shawn Combmes and the aggravated nature of this case. Prosecutor Slavic. The video from the LA hotel. We're talking about the Cassie video was played many times at trial and
[2:28:12]it never got easier. As to Jane, he punched her. He slapped her a little over a year ago when he knew he was under federal investigation. At trial,
[2:28:21]they said they owned the violence. Admitting to violence in front of the jury as part of a trial strategy is not accountability. Freakoffs were extended performance of extended performances of
[2:28:32]sexual degradation and humiliation. Cassie and Jane did not want to have sex with strangers. Excuse me. He made them do it. Sorry, I have to say this, but he
[2:28:43]had an escort urinate in Cassy's mouth until she choked. Her victim impact statement makes clear she still has nightmares and flashbacks and the scars on her body. Jane's text makes clear her
[2:28:54]anguish and trauma. Mia said she got PTSD and anxiety. Deontay Nash said he was caused lasting damage. Capricorn
[2:29:05]Clark says he blacklisted blacklisted her once she spoke up. Chef Jordan Atkinson wrote how she was impacted. It was real and serious. So Alexis, you
[2:29:16]take all that in mind. We have a question from Rosala. Does the panel agree that the judge will want to add appropriate time for his rehabilitation because they're proof that he won't
[2:29:26]offend again? I mean, is there proof that he won't offend again? Is he a changed person from, you know, this conduct that was mentioned was illuminated during the course of this trial?
[2:29:38]>> Great question. Listen, there's never proof that somebody is rehabilitated. I mean, the the name of the game here at this sentencing is for, you know, the
[2:29:49]defendant to say that, yeah, I'm rehabilitated. I'm a changed person. Uh, you know, I'm going to move forward in with my life in a whole different
[2:29:58]manner. Now, being in prison is in jail is going to change you. There's no doubt about that. But that doesn't necessarily mean that it's going to change him for
[2:30:08]the better. You know, he is like you mentioned, Jesse, very charismatic. And, you know, people tend to at least initially like him. So, I mean, I I
[2:30:20]don't I don't know if he's changed. In my opinion, I would say that he's not a changed person. I I am not so sure that he's going to move through life as this
[2:30:30]quote unquote saint, but um proof we we can't have proof. It's not like we can put, you know, do a lie detector test and even if you did, you know, that's not admissible as to whether he truly
[2:30:41]has changed. As well as he may think he's changed, in reality, he's not. >> Prosecutor Slavic, he downplays the abuse, calling it rare. It was not rare.
[2:30:52]Cassie's testimony was that he was violent with her at any time. It was not mutual. You saw no photos of the defendant with injuries. Here's a question for you, Tyler, as we're listening to this. You think the judge
[2:31:02]has already made up his mind? >> I don't think so. I think the judge is really going to do his due diligence to hear both sides here. I think he has an idea where he wants to land, but I think
[2:31:12]some facts could motivate on how how far south or how uh far north he goes. So I think judges do go to the bench and they listen to both sides and they make a decision that they believe strikes the
[2:31:24]middle with justice and that's what their job is to do here to find justice which is more than just punishment. It's rehabilitating. It's deterring and it's also taking in consideration what the victims
[2:31:35]want but doing what's the right thing to do and that's what the judge has to do. >> Hey Sierra um you've been following this case from the beginning. You talked about the supporters outside the courthouse. You've read a lot of these
[2:31:46]letters that were introduced to the court in anticipation of sentencing from family, from inmates. What are the uh what are what is the main theme that you're seeing the people who support
[2:31:56]Shawn Combmes or ask for leniency? What are they saying? >> I think the main throughine throughout all of this is that Diddy has learned
[2:32:07]his lesson. And I'm speaking on behalf of these letters of support for P. Diddy. basically saying he knows what he did was wrong. He learned his lesson.
[2:32:17]He's served his time so far for over the past year at MDC Brooklyn and he's changed. This was a mistake. He's different now. And of course, talking about all the positive attributes that
[2:32:28]he has. I mean, there's a reason we're talking about P. Diddy today because he's famous. And how did he become famous? Well, he was very talented at what he did. He was very charismatic. He was very charming. And I do think that
[2:32:40]he wooed a lot of people in terms of both the public as a celebrity. People liked to listen to his music or drink his alcohol or wear his clothes. But additionally, the people closest to him
[2:32:51]too, they say he's a great guy. They say that he is a positive person, that he's a role model. I mean, that video that was submitted, it was interesting to see the positive relationship that he had
[2:33:02]with his family. And once again, this is something that we've seen consistently at court. all of his family, you know, his mother, his children supporting him. And in that video, there's, you know, images, you know, of him with his
[2:33:14]family, showing him being a dad. They're saying he is a dad. He is a good person. They also talked about him running, which is interesting because he's, you know, been a runner historically in the
[2:33:24]past, saying that he's dedicated to things that are bigger than himself. And so those letters of support, it's really things like that saying he has changed. He's not going to do it again. He's a
[2:33:35]good person and he deserves to be out with his family. >> You look at the letter from Shawn Combmes that was submitted to the court and maybe something that will be, you know, echoed in his statement to the
[2:33:46]court. He says, "I ask this is to the judge. I ask you for mercy today. Mercy today, not only for my sake, but for the sake of my children. Uh God bless me with seven beautiful children. I have
[2:33:57]failed my children as a father. Um, I just want the opportunity to return home and be the father that they need and deserve. Uh, you do wonder if that's going to have an impact on the judge.
[2:34:08]Uh, we have some questions coming in. Alexis, I go to you. This is from Ambitious One. Assume Combmes is sentenced to five or seven years. If an
[2:34:17]appeal if an appeal is granted, would bail then be granted based solely on the charges now being under the MAN Act?
[2:34:27]So, let's say that he is sentenced to a decent amount of time and then the appeal goes up and it is granted. There would most likely be a new trial that
[2:34:39]would be um ordered to happen. And I don't think that the judge under the circumstance is going to release him um
[2:34:49]you know when when that happens. I think he would still stay incarcerated. It would be potentially the same charges. It's what the appeal what happens at the
[2:34:59]appellet level and what the appellet level determines needs to happen. So, it's hard to say, but most likely uh if he even won the appeal for whatever
[2:35:09]reason, he would be recharged or re there would be a new trial with the same charges. >> Interesting you as you asked that question. We get great questions from
[2:35:20]our viewers. Uh but um Tyler got a question now from Trisha Lancaster who asks, "Could he be retrieded for the charges he wasn't convicted of if new
[2:35:29]evidence comes to light?" >> No, he can't be retrieded. That's double jeopardy. He's already been acquitted of those charges that he wasn't convicted of of, so he won't stand trial for those again.
[2:35:40]>> By the way, great movie. >> He can't be charged with those same charges. >> You ever see the movie Fracture? Great movie. I encourage everybody to check about it. Talk about double jeopardy and what can be introduced. Just encourage everybody to check it That's a really
[2:35:50]good one. All right, so we have a poll up. We have a poll up. What's next for Diddy? 32% say who cares? 28% say total
[2:36:01]cancellation. 22% a rebrand and quiet return. 18% say business as usual. Sierra, we talked about this before about what can we
[2:36:11]expect from Diddy uh depending upon the sentence and if he's released. What do you make of that poll? I think the poll is interesting. The
[2:36:21]fact that majority say who cares is is interesting to me and maybe it's just exhaustion, right? We've all been doing this for so long. There are so many civil lawsuits plus all of the federal
[2:36:32]side of things. But in addition to the other half of the poll, the cancellation or maybe he'll come quietly. From what I know about Diddy, I don't know of him being quiet. That's not really something
[2:36:43]that he does. He goes big or he goes home. And in this case, I think that Diddy will want to speak whenever that may be. I don't think he's going to go anywhere quietly. And again, this is
[2:36:53]just my personal opinion in all of this. But again, why are we talking about Diddy? It's because he is this charismatic celebrity and he led us inside of his life prior to all of this.
[2:37:04]I mean, when we're talking about white parties, I remember being a young girl in Wisconsin reading through US magazine or, you know, people and seeing photos of the white parties. Did he did show us
[2:37:15]part of his life? Now, maybe not necessarily everything that happened behind closed doors, but thanks to the trial that happened in the courthouse behind me, we now kind of know. So, at this point, what does D did he have to
[2:37:26]lose? He's already been convicted. I do think he's going to come out and tell his side of the story, and I don't think it's going to be quietly. >> By the way, I was reading for People magazine, too, when I was younger. I don't know why. I just thought it was
[2:37:38]fascinating. I was very interested. It was the whole Yeah. Brangelina moment. I was really invested in that. All right. Side note. Okay. Anyway, excuse me. Update from court. We have a prose
[2:37:47]prosecutor Slavic says he blames doctors for prescriptions. He pretends he is the victim. He hasn't accepted responsibility for his criminal conduct.
[2:37:58]The information provided to his expert was incomplete. He will pose a danger at any age. He choked Jane at 54 years old. He bl uh
[2:38:09]prose uh prostitution causes other problems. It happens out of public view. General deterrence is needed. Send a message to all victims and to the public
[2:38:18]that this defendant's crimes are serious. You could encourage or discourage abusers. There seems to be a big point here, Alexis, of trying to
[2:38:27]explain why this is a crime, why this is serious, and why the appropriate sentence needs to be several years in prison. Because again, I go back to something. There are people who will look at this and say compared to what he
[2:38:39]was being accused of prostitution but but the government is doubling down on it. >> I agree Jesse. I I mean this case as we
[2:38:48]discussed at great lengths was a difficult case because you had a situation where some of this not the violent part but the sexual part
[2:38:59]appeared at some level to be consensual and then you had a relationship going on. So I I think the prosecution is trying to hammer down that we have a
[2:39:10]situation that we had this, you know, prostitution coupled with this very elevated violence and that these victims that were part of this have been
[2:39:22]severely damaged. And this just isn't a run-of-the-mill somebody goes, you know, to a street corner, gets somebody, has consensual sex, and then it's one and
[2:39:32]done sort of situation that he did this repeatedly. He has only been charged with two counts. Um, and it was surrounded with such violence. And we
[2:39:43]had this video. I mean, this video was so it was shocking. I think anybody who saw that video the first time was just shocked by that video.
[2:39:53]Um, excuse me. Uh, the judge is taking a break. We had a question from one of our viewers, uh, Lar Rob Show. Uh, when can we expect the sentence? We don't really
[2:40:03]know. I mean, this could take several hours as they go through different statements. The judge's statement. I'm sure he's going to say something before he ultimately delivers the sentence. Uh, you're going to hear from defense attorneys. You're going to hear from multiple people who have prepared
[2:40:15]statements. You're probably going to hear from Shawn Combmes. So, this may take a little while till we ultimately get to the sentence. Um, and we're going to continue our live coverage here on
[2:40:24]the network. Um, but what's interesting again is there the what you're thinking you're hearing from the prosecution and you're also going to hear from the defense. Tyler, what does the defense
[2:40:35]need to say right now? So, the judge is taking a break really hammering away. Look, if you ask me based on what we've seen in court so far, it seems to be advantage prosecution. The the judge has
[2:40:45]already seemed to signal that several years in prison appears to be the appropriate range. But what you know extends past it, extends maybe further. What does the defense need to do? What
[2:40:56]do they need to say in order to maybe uh get some sort of leniency from the judge? Well, they need to make an argument for deviating. That's the big thing they need to do. Deviating from
[2:41:07]the proposed recommendation in the guidelines, even though the judge said he sees no reason to essentially deviate from the proposed recommendation. That's one. I do think they need to draw a u a
[2:41:18]fine line between taking responsibility and account accountability and still attacking some of the prosecution's tactics and how they're trying to use these acts uh that for charges that he
[2:41:29]was not convicted of and twisting the man act which he is uh was convicted of. that's going to be their best bet. And and and reminding the judge that you
[2:41:40]this sentence should be one for the charge that he was convicted of, not for the charge he was acquitted of. And give some they're going to give weight to those the acts of violence. But if you're looking at the scale from zero to
[2:41:51]100%, there's no way the judge should give 100% credit to those acts of violence because he wasn't convicted of those charges. It should probably be more appropriate 40% and under. Even though they happened, it was trauma. the
[2:42:01]jury was a was a true arbiter of this and they found him not guilty on those charges. >> Alexis, if if they if the judge sentences him to seven years or 11 years or what what have you uh as opposed to
[2:42:13]14 months, which is what the defense has been asking for, can they appeal that sentence? What do you think the likelihood of appealing of successfully appealing that sentence would be? I mean, do you think the judge, if he were
[2:42:24]to sentence Shawn Combmes to significant prison time, that there's an argument this was excessive? Well, if we were going to sentence him
[2:42:33]to 7 to 11, I I don't think there I don't think there's an argument for that because I I mean, first of all, I think that we're going to land about six and a
[2:42:42]half is my prediction or 6.4. So, I I think that as long as especially if he stays below probation or even at probation, I don't think there's an
[2:42:54]argument to say that there's an that was an excessive sentence. I mean, nobody is talking that the 20 years that is the possibility. So, we're well below we're
[2:43:05]well below that. Obviously, the judge will have to do the sentencing and stay within the requirements to substantiate his order of whatever he does. Otherwise, you know, people could be
[2:43:16]saying that they're not. >> Uh Sierra, I go to you real quick on this. Um the the scene outside is interesting, but you for anybody who hadn't seen the beginning of the
[2:43:26]program. Um can you tell us who has showed up so far for Shawn Combmes? I mean, obviously we talked about you haven't seen Kanye Kanye yet. Um but there have been people who have showed up in his support. There have been
[2:43:38]people who were there today for his sentencing. Can you tell us who they are? >> Yes, I have not seen Kanye West yet, but I think it's only 11:44, so there's
[2:43:49]still time. I mean, maybe he's a late sleeper. We'll see what happens with Kanye. But as for Diddy's side, of course, his family is here, specifically his mother, Janice Combmes. You know, we
[2:43:59]have those people who are inside. We read at the beginning of the live stream, I believe, that he, I think, blew a kiss to his mother, you know, so he's been kind of in conversation with them, at least from afar, you know, eye
[2:44:10]contact, things like that. I did hear reports that the Punisher was here. However, I personally have not seen him. But I do know there's a pretty big crowd behind me. There's a lot going on over
[2:44:21]there. Those are the main people that I've heard of. However, it's still early. We don't have a sentence down yet. We haven't heard from the defense. So, there could be more people who trickle in, especially now that we're on a break.
[2:44:32]>> By the way, I I have to ask about this. Um Tyler, the the the judge denied the judge, excuse me, the defense's motion to throw out the convictions. The
[2:44:43]defense had made a series of of arguments about how archaic this law was, problems in the way it was prosecuted, prejudice uh by the evidence that was introduced. The judge denied
[2:44:54]it. And just a quick point of what the judge said, the government at trial presented overwhelming evidence of Comb's guilt under the man act, meaning the transportation to engage in prostitution. On many occasions with
[2:45:06]respect to both Ventura and Jane, the government proved its case many times over to any modern reader, the plain meaning of prostitution is sex for sale.
[2:45:17]Um, you know, because they argued that this wasn't necessarily prostitution per se. They argued there wasn't a commercial aspect to it. He didn't benefit. They made a first amendment argument. Basically, this was voyerism.
[2:45:28]Were you surprised that the judge didn't throw out the convictions? And does that tell you anything about which way the judge may be leaning today? >> Not at all surprised that the judge did
[2:45:39]not throw out those convictions. The jury heard this case and they they found him guilty of those two counts and I think the judge would be clearly overstepping if he he overruled what the
[2:45:49]jury found Mr. Combmes guilty of. And there was we all sat through this trial. saw all the facts of money being exchanged. Um um things of value being
[2:45:59]exchanged for prostitution and and acts of sex. There was some voyerism there, but there's clearly prostitution going on whether is money paid to people to have sex with the victims or Mr. Combmes
[2:46:10]engaging in the sexual activity as well. And there can still be argument that him uh being a voyer and there being money exchange was still prostitution. So um nowhere near surprise that the judge did
[2:46:21]not throw out those two counts. Uh, Alexis, uh, we got a super chat question from JRZ87. Thank you so much. Uh, do you believe Diddy will get retrieded? So, let's put aside the argument we've
[2:46:32]been talking about so many times on double jeopardy grounds. He's not going to be retrieded on racketeering or sex trafficking. Do you think he could ever be retrieded on transportation to engage in pro in prostitution?
[2:46:44]>> So, this is a great question. So, a lot of people don't realize this that you can be um tried both without double jeopardy in state court and federal
[2:46:53]court for the same crime. So, that actually is a surprise to to many people. I think that here in this case, we do have um I'm not sure what specific
[2:47:04]uh crime that Jay Riz is referring to, but we do a lot of them had statute of limitations issues that were attached to them as well. So, if we're talking about
[2:47:14]retrying after a potential appeal on these two counts, I I do not think that
[2:47:22]he's going to uh win an appeal. Uh, one more question to you guys. One more question to Tyler before I have to sign off. Tyler and Alexis, Sierra's going to stay with us. Um, Tyler, we
[2:47:33]have this poll up. What's the biggest factor you think the judge should should consider today? Should consider today? 36% say legal facts only. 29% say victim
[2:47:44]impact statements. 28% say the leaked hotel video meaning of Cassie. Uh and 7% say past allegations. What do you think?
[2:47:53]The judge is going to do a little bit of everything, but I think the best is looking at the facts only. And do give some credit to the victim's impact statements here. Uh because they were traumatized. They're clearly impacted.
[2:48:05]He cannot ignore those. He needs to give those some consideration. the legal facts and do what he feels just. That's why he's a judge, gets paid the big bucks and wears the black robe.
[2:48:15]>> Alexis Rosenberg, Tyler Belly, thank you so much for coming on. Uh Sierra's going to stay with us, so stay with us here on Law and Crime. This could be a full day sentencing hearing in lower Manhattan.
[2:48:25]We will be right back right after this. and he could be released, excuse me,
[3:04:29]today or in the next month or so. That seems to be a remote possibility. Now, we'll see what the rest of the day holds, but remember, prosecutors were asking for 11 years. Is the judge going
[3:04:39]to go that far? Unclear. And we also don't know how long this day is going to go. We believe that Shawn Combmes will make a statement, that others will make a statement, the judge will make a statement. And right now, the defense is
[3:04:51]providing their arguments to the court. So, we're going to provide you real-time updates. We are also going to take your questions. Any questions you have about this case, submit them on YouTube. We'll answer them here on the air. And I'm also going to bring in my all-star panel
[3:05:02]for this hour. So, we have with us Sierra Gillespie, who is outside the federal courthouse. I am also joined by criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor Safa Robinson Ferrer. And I'm joined in studio by former ass the
[3:05:14]former associate warden at the MDC, Dr. Dwayne Hendricks. I want to thank everybody for coming on. Uh Dr. Hendricks, I have a lot of questions for you as well when it talks to what the potential sentence could be and where
[3:05:25]Shawn Combmes might actually serve his time if he's ultimately sentenced to prison. Um but we have a super chat question that I got to get to first. So Safa, I throw this to you. Super chat
[3:05:37]question from JRZ87. Thank you so much. Do you think Diddy will take legal actions on everyone that accused him?
[3:05:47]>> Great question. Um, I think that after this case is wrapped up and he's either sentenced or is ultimately released and back out in the community. I I think he's going to handle his civil actions
[3:05:59]that are pending. There might be some counter suits with respect to those actions, but I think that he's also just going to be prepared to move on with his life, move on with his family, and try to rebuild his brand.
[3:06:11]>> Okay, update from court. So now, as I mentioned, it's Shawn Comb's defense team's turn to raise their arguments for a lenient sentence. And Jason Driscoll's up. Says, uh, I'm grateful, your honor,
[3:06:22]to you being so permissive with the microphone for us today. I'm going to talk about sentencing disparities. A blind reliance on the guidelines can create disparities. So seemingly trying to convince the judge not to follow what
[3:06:33]the guidelines are. The DOJ has long said that man act prosecution should focus on the commercial cases. Shawn Combmes did not make a penny from this. The Jordan case, it's not comparable. He
[3:06:45]served eight years in Cuba for sex crimes. This was his second chance. Uh Jordan made $1.4 million. Do you know uh how many sex acts that is? He had over a
[3:06:56]hundred clients. Mr. Comb's offenses, nothing like that. Three of Jordan's victims reported unwanted sex. One was raped after being drugged. We'll talk about these arguments more, but I want to go to you, Dr. Hendricks, because
[3:07:07]this is interesting. You and I were talking about um one of the key factors that you imagine the defense is going to be uh talking about here is, by the way, it's such an awkward shot with my
[3:07:18]computer, but hey, this is the best we can do right now. Anyway, um, one of the things that he's going to be focusing on is how he's been helping inmates. He's been teaching them, providing courses. You say there's an interesting aspect of
[3:07:30]it that might not actually benefit Shawn Combmes, >> right? Uh, in individuals other than the jail time credit they can garner based on the sentence they get, uh, they can
[3:07:40]also, uh, get up to 10 days a month for First Step Act classes that they take. However, Mr. Combmes uh facilitating these courses, he can't benefit from the
[3:07:51]First Step Act credits because of the sex crimes that he's been convicted of. So, if he's actually facilitating these courses, it would be very interesting to see if the judge takes that into
[3:08:02]consideration that he's willing to do something for his fellow inmates that he won't even be able to benefit uh for himself. >> And to be clear, if he's sentenced, let's say, to 5 to seven years in
[3:08:13]prison, how long would he actually serve? He is going to serve 85% of that. >> 85% of that. Okay. >> Minus the jail credit, the 3585 B1 credit that he's getting based on the
[3:08:23]time he's already served. So, he's not going to be eligible for any additional uh time off. >> Okay. I go to Sierra Gillespie. Uh Sierra, you're outside the courthouse
[3:08:33]right now. Paint a picture of us for us what you're seeing. I mean, a lot has changed in the last two hours in terms of what's been happening in that courtroom, where the judge might be
[3:08:42]going. What's the scene like right now? There was a lot of interest about what's going on today. So much so that our reporter Elizabeth Milner, who is inside
[3:08:53]the courtroom right now, she got here at 6:30 this morning just to make sure that she could secure a seat inside because of course we want to make sure as there are no cameras inside a federal court that someone's in there and it is
[3:09:04]Elizabeth Milner. So, she'll be out later to give us more info. But that just goes to show you how many people are interested in what we have going on right now. that lines were forming even yesterday. As far as what's happening
[3:09:15]right now, of course, you have reporters like myself lining up and down the streets. We've got cameras, we've got lights, people from CNN, ABC, all of the major players, including, of course, Law
[3:09:26]Crime. And then across the street from me, a sizable crowd. Now, throughout the live stream that we've had today, I've heard a lot of things. I mean, I've heard cheering from people. I've heard yelling. There, of course, people here
[3:09:38]who aren't even talking about Jenny. For instance, I've seen the Free Brittany movement here. Once again, there are people talking about, you know, politics and things like that. But as far as Diddy, there does seem to be a
[3:09:49]contingency of supporters for both the survivors and for Diddy himself. >> And I'm very curious to see how that crowd changes as we even get, you know, nearer to where sentence might be. We
[3:10:00]don't have an indication of when that may happen. More people need to speak. There's more that the judge needs to consider. But as we get closer to the official sentence, that crowd outside that courthouse with what Sierra is
[3:10:11]seeing could change drastically. Going to you Safa, we got a super chat question from Joanne the genius. Spells it JN I us. I like that. I like that a lot. I may actually use that later on.
[3:10:22]Um Sappa, so first of all, thank you so much for the super chat question. If Diddy is sentenced and he appeals, will the appeal be heard in front of Judge
[3:10:31]Arun Subermanium once again? >> No. If he ultimately appeals his sentence or appeals the case as a whole, he's going to go up to the second circuit court of appeals, which is the
[3:10:43]appellet court in New York's jurisdiction. >> By the way, uh we also judge. >> Sure. Uh and it makes sense because right there looking to see if there were any errors committed on the part of the
[3:10:54]the trial judge. Another question for you, Safa. This is from Britney Curry. Uh Jesse, is there a possibility of the judge going over what the prosecution is asking for in the way of a prison term
[3:11:05]to make an example out of Diddy? >> Well, Mr. Combmes, he's facing 10 years on each charge for the man act violations. And so essentially, he would be looking at 20 years here in totality.
[3:11:17]The government is asking for 11 years. Could the judge go over that? Certainly he could. I don't think that he will. I think that the judge is going to stay in alignment with the sentencing guidelines
[3:11:27]and what they're doing right now as they're having these dispositive conversations about what the judge is to consider. It actually gives the judge an eye into what the formal statements are
[3:11:38]going to be from the government and from the defense as he prepares to hand out his sentence this afternoon. And look, you know, from my perspective, based on what we're seeing in the pre-trial
[3:11:48]filings, the responses from the judge, what we heard earlier today, it seems that prison is a a very likely possibility for Shawn Combmes. And I I
[3:12:00]don't believe the judge is going to go anywhere near 20 years. But the problem for Shawn Combmes is the judge is allowing evidence of violence, allowing
[3:12:10]evidence of uh acquitted conduct to be examined here. And there were so many incidents of transportation to engage in prostitution. It just wasn't one
[3:12:20]isolated incident that it seems that may aggravate this and this may extend it and that could be a problem uh for Shawn Combmes. Now, I want to go to you, Dr. Hendricks, because you and I had an interesting conversation about where
[3:12:32]Shawn Combmes could actually serve his time in prison. So, if he gets 5 years, 7 years, 10 years, where does he serve it? >> Well, he'll most likely serve it at an
[3:12:42]institution 500 miles from his release residence, as we know from reports, he has homes in Los Angeles, here in New York, and as well uh is in Miami. So, if
[3:12:52]he chooses Miami, uh there's a sex offender treatment facility in Mariana, Florida. uh and but if he's uh wants to uh release to an in uh his home near
[3:13:03]California, there's a sex offender treatment facility in Tucson, Arizona. But there but there's also a possibility that he can also serve his time at a facility in Miami. There's a low security facility there that I know that
[3:13:15]they've held sex offenders as well. So, it'll more than likely be at a facility that houses some sex offenders uh within 500 miles of of his release res. A lot of people could be surprised and say, "Wait a minute, he's not going to serve
[3:13:26]federal prison time in a federal facility here in New York." >> No. MDC Brooklyn uh is a pre-trial facility. Now, they do have what we call
[3:13:36]uh trustee inmates. Uh those inmates are kind of like what we call minimum security uh campers. So, I mean, depending he he could possibly serve his time at MDC Brooklyn, but it's highly
[3:13:48]unlikely based on his high-profile nature and the crimes that he's been convicted of as a sex offender. It's highly unlikely if he gets anything more
[3:13:57]than 24 months uh at at the sentencing hearing. Uh more than likely, he will be going to a federal prison uh somewhere closer to where he wants to release.
[3:14:08]>> Got an update. I got a question. I'm going to throw it to you, Safa. This is from uh too many cactus. Why can the judge sentenced him based off what he was acquitted of? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of a trial? That's a fair
[3:14:20]question. Why can the judge consider conduct that he was acquitted of respect to racketeering, conspiracy, sex trafficking? Why can he consider that for purposes of transportation to engage in prostitution, particularly if we
[3:14:31]don't really know what evidence persuaded every one of those jurors? >> Yeah, you know, that's been a pretty hot button topic. you know, as as sentencing has been looming, and it's certainly
[3:14:43]been a conversation and a conflict between the government and Mr. Combmes attorneys. So, there are statutory provisions that allow for the judge to consider those things, although it is
[3:14:53]very limited and there are very limited circumstances. I think here with Mr. Comb's case specifically, the conduct or the alleged conduct that he was found guilty of, there's an overlap between
[3:15:04]that and some of the conduct that he was actually acquitted for. So ultimately some of the allegations would complete the narrative that support the man act convictions and because of that the
[3:15:15]judge is going to consider those things. >> Got an update from court. So uh his attorney Jason Driscoll in John cases the average sentence is 6.7 months. In
[3:15:25]this case uh in this other case excuse me the defendant texted the victim. I meant what I said about making a mold of your let's just say private parts. The rest of you ain't worth s. The judge
[3:15:36]says, "But there was no but there was no threat of violence in that case." Jason Driscoll, Miss Slavic just blamed Mr. Combmes for having a drug problem for 25 years. We think that it's inappropriate.
[3:15:48]It is a mitigating factor. Let's talk about And then a very specific uh case, I believe, in the District of Oregon. The defendant paid for a session with a younger girl. Drescll says that
[3:15:59]defendant Riggs got 24 months. It was more heinous than this case. uh the specific statute they're referencing says to avoid unwarranted sentencing disparities. I've read all 900 MANAC
[3:16:10]cases available on Pacer. That's the online platform that we use to look at court cases. His case is different. Judge says, "Okay, who's next?" Miss West Morland. Okay. So, that's
[3:16:20]interesting. Um Sierra, when you think about it, right? The defense, even going into this uh sentencing, has been very keen to suggest that this is not an
[3:16:30]aggravating case, that it's not now part of an overarching racketeering case, that it's not part of an overarching sex trafficking case, which we have seen uh in other prosecutions. There have been
[3:16:42]those who said if all he was being charged with was the prostitution charges, they never would have even brought this case. From your reading of everything, what has the defense been
[3:16:52]arguing? What has the defense been suggesting about why Shawn Combmes deserves a lenient sentence? >> I mean, I think it makes sense, right?
[3:17:03]They're saying, "Okay, he was acquitted on the more serious charges." Because if you remember, while we were still talking about the trial, if Diddy would have been convicted on, let's say, racketeering conspiracy, he could
[3:17:14]theoretically have been spending the rest of his life behind bars. And that, you know, he was found not guilty of. And I think it really is the defense's job to point this out and say, "Hey, let's let's remember why we're here. The
[3:17:26]most severe charge here our client has been found not guilty of." And this is something kind of a throughine that we've been talking about throughout our entire live stream here today is the interesting, you know, way the judge
[3:17:37]decided to go, Judge Aruna Moran, including some of these other instances in regards to what Diddy was acquitted of. you know, when we're talking about the other victims, the alleged violence, things like that, where he's saying,
[3:17:49]"Okay, yeah, I am going to kind of include this in considering what to do with the sentence." I do think that the defense is making good points here again to remind the judge. Okay, we only have these two convictions on the
[3:18:00]transportation to engage in prostitution. Taking a look, I believe it was 900 other cases involving the man act and comparing them and saying highlighting what Diddy has been
[3:18:10]convicted of, how it relates to other cases. Thus, I'm speaking for the defense. Thus, the defense is saying he should receive a more lenient sentence. >> Uh Dr. Hendricks, got a bunch of
[3:18:22]questions coming in uh for you. So, this is a question for uh from Patty Pans. Uh will Diddy get probation after serving his time and if yes, what will it look like?
[3:18:33]>> Uh yes, he will more more than likely have some period of supervision. Uh typically, uh inmates are given between 3 to 5 years of supervised release. And
[3:18:42]depending on how he adjusts postrelease, uh he may even uh be taken off supervision earlier uh than the the full term. Uh by the way, update from court
[3:18:53]where uh Nicole West Morland, one of his defense attorneys, says uh I want to focus on the inspiration uh Mr. Combmes has given throughout his life and on the commitment he made while in the MDC. Mr.
[3:19:03]Combmes was successful. He used it to help others. He touched many more lives than I can cover in the next minutes. And actually, if you go to Shan Col's letter that he prepared to the court, he
[3:19:14]really talked about the MDC, his life in the MDC, and he, uh, I'm trying to find the specific provision where he talked about it. Um, but you know, uh, where is
[3:19:25]it? Okay. So, so, um, I realize that I'm in a situation where no amount of money, power, or fame can save me. Only God can save me. My grandmother used to teach me that God makes no mistakes and that
[3:19:36]everything he does is for your good. I believe that a bad situation can be used for good. Although the situation has been the hardest and darkest in my life, good things have come out of my incarceration. For starters, I am now
[3:19:46]sober for the first time in 25 years. I have been trying my best to deal with my drug abuse and anger issues and take accountability as well as positive steps towards healing. One of the most beautiful things I've experienced is
[3:19:58]being asked by my fellow inmates to teach and mentor them. They wanted to learn what I did to become a successful businessman. I was inspired by their hunger and desire to learn information in order to not only set goals but
[3:20:08]achieve any goal dream that their hearts desire. I started teaching a six-week program called free game which I was able to have approved and sanctioned by the Bureau of Prisons. I don't just
[3:20:18]teach about my success. I also teach about my mistakes and failures. It has truly been a blessing to do something positive in a negative situation. And you know he talks about how bad the conditions are uh at the MDC as well.
[3:20:29]not for sympathy purposes, but to share that he's trying to change man. What do you take away from that? >> Well, I mean, uh, just like all other individuals who are facing sentencing, I mean, he's he went through the
[3:20:40]pre-sentencing process, uh, and I'm sure he had an opportunity to sit down with the probation officer who did the PSR report uh, and kind of talked about, you know, taking responsibility for his
[3:20:51]actions and the things that he expressed uh, in his letter. Um, and yeah, I mean, no conditions in any facility, whether it's MDC Brooklyn or a jail in Mayberry,
[3:21:03]uh, across the country, uh, no conditions being behind bars on a day-to-day basis, is going to be comfortable. Uh, and it's going to give a person a time to reflect on the things
[3:21:13]that they've they've done, uh, the people that they miss, more importantly, family and, uh, his children. uh you know other than the victims in this case. I mean his his kids are the are
[3:21:24]the other victims uh for the reason that he's not uh you know with his family right now. One of the things that I'll talk to inmates when they first come to prison is you know things are missing uh
[3:21:35]things are missing in your family and things are not being done in your community and family when you're incarcerated. So, uh, so it looks as if other than complaining about the food and some of the other reports that I've
[3:21:46]read that he is spending time trying to reflect and trying to mend some fences. Uh, and obviously of of course nobody wants to go to prison beyond the jail
[3:21:56]time that he's spending right now. So, >> how bad is the MDC? >> It has its challenges. Uh, you know, I I was an associate warden there from 2013
[3:22:06]to 2016. I mean I face several challenges there you know from a management perspective uh it's a million square feet of uh of a institution and
[3:22:16]and let's face it I mean I don't think any home or any building uh should be used uh 24/7 I mean if if my house if I
[3:22:26]was running the water the shower and the flushing the toilets 24 hours and then I have more people in my home than the capacity than it than it should be then the conditions in facility are obviously
[3:22:38]not going to be optimal and it costs money to uh upgrade these facilities and and we know that there have been reports of staff misconduct and other issues uh
[3:22:48]since the institution was founded back in 1993. So yes, they're I face challenges there uh at the but at the end of the day they're you know 85 to
[3:22:58]90% of the staff that go there every day come to take care of business and they put their lives on the line uh to keep the American people safe. Um, Safa I, it was a question from me. Curious your
[3:23:10]thoughts on it. This is from Sunshine Brie. Jesse, do you think A USA Comey's firing, meaning Moren Comey. An absence from the sentencing affects the outcome. My answer, no, it shouldn't. I don't
[3:23:21]think it's going to have any effect. And by the way, she's suing the Trump administration. Uh, side note about that. But no, it's not going to have any effect on it. Right. >> It's not going to have any effect on it at all. Ultimately, you have the United
[3:23:31]States government against Shaun Diddy Combmes. the government and its assistant US attorney and assistant US attorneys, they all operate as one body. So, it doesn't matter if it's Miss Comey
[3:23:42]or any other a USA that is present for sentencing. It's not going to make a difference in the judge's opinion. >> They're really talking about right now in court. This is an update the defense about the impact that Shawn Combmes has
[3:23:54]had. Uh what Nicole West Morland says there were not many blackowned labels. Mr. Combmes had the audacity. It sent a message that you can do it. Clothing too. It was not just urban street where
[3:24:04]it was upscale. It brought it bought unity. It inspired change. Sierra, this is something we talked about before. I'm going to emphasize it again and I'm curious your your opinion about it. When
[3:24:15]you listen to this about the impact that Shawn Combmes had when they talk about all the help aside from after his conviction, everything that he's done while he was running bad boy and they're
[3:24:25]playing this video, they want to play this video. We've been showing B-roll of it that was prepared by the defense. this kind of compilation montage video of his life and the good things that
[3:24:34]he's done. Can't the judge I mean say yeah but like you were committing crimes during all this or I mean for people who
[3:24:44]don't know even after he made that apology video after the 2016 tape of Cassie Ventur was released he was accused of kid of committing more
[3:24:54]crimes. Right. I mean, yeah, he was. And why are we here today? Because he was convicted of a crime. That's the bottom line that we
[3:25:05]have here. He committed a crime. It's not an accusation anymore. He's been convicted of it. So, it's up to the judge, you know, to sentence on that conviction. So, I understand the defense's perspective here putting
[3:25:16]forward all of these things, saying, you know, Diddy is a mastermind when we're talking about Bad Boy, not only as an artist, but when we're talking about, you know, a blackowned company that was one of a kind, when we're talking about
[3:25:27]Sha John and the clothing company and things like that, it makes sense and it's truly the job of the defense attorneys at this point in the sentencing hearing to paint a positive picture about P. didd he to show you
[3:25:39]know his reform that he's had through this entire process to show in this video you know he's a father he is a good person he is a runner he is a
[3:25:49]singer he is all of these positive things but I do think Jesse you're right that it has to be in the back of Judge Arun submarinian's mind that both of these things can be true he can be a
[3:26:00]great dad and also he is a criminal in regards to the transportation to engage in prostitution crime time. So, both are true. >> And you know, we get this question from
[3:26:11]Olga. Why is there no immediate sentence, Sierra? The waiting must be so stressful. Look, it is stressful, but under the law, particularly, right, Sierra, when you don't have an automatic
[3:26:22]mandatory sentence, it's not like proform. It's not like a murder case where we say, "Oh, no, they're going to be convicted to, you know, life without the possibility of parole." There's so much discretion here. There's so much for the judge to consider. the
[3:26:33]pre-sentencing report, probation's recommendation, prosecution's recommendation, defense's recommendation, allowing so many people to write letters and speak in court.
[3:26:44]Yeah, it's very stressful, particularly probably for um Shawn Combmes, but it's necessary. >> Oh, yeah. It's got to be stressful for
[3:26:55]P. Diddy and his family. Of course, they want to know what the answer is going to be, right? But to your point, Jesse, Judge Aruna Moranian almost has the weight of the world on his shoulders because he does have to sit through so
[3:27:06]much. Not only did he sit through that, you know, weeksl long trial hearing all of the evidence and information, seeing some really emotional testimony. Of course, he's a human being. That's going
[3:27:17]to live in the back of his mind. The allegations that not only was P. Diddy acquitted of, but then what he's convicted of. All of those things paired with, you know, the letters of support
[3:27:27]from both sides, you know, from Diddy, supporting them, you know, supporting him rather, uh, the victims who are saying, "Wait, this actually was really difficult for me. It was really traumatic. I had to come forward. This
[3:27:38]affected my life." So either way, it's going to pan out. I think that there are going to be some people who disagree with what happens, right? If it's a win for Diddy, of course, the prosecution and the supporters of the victims are
[3:27:50]going to be upset. If it's vice versa, you know, you've got the opposite way. So, I do think it makes sense to have a hearing like this where we hear from both sides, where we have all of these letters, of course, for the judge to
[3:28:01]consider all of the elements here because again, a man's life really hangs in the balance. >> It certainly does. Um Nicole West Morland in court just said, "In spirits,
[3:28:12]our community finally had a seat at the table." Referring to the work that Sean Combmes did, a voice, a real voice. Then there was revolt. And and the note here from the reporting says there was
[3:28:23]sobbing. So I can't tell if Nicole West Morland is actually crying during the course of this. Um if so that's you know that's notable. Uh question for you Dr.
[3:28:34]Hendricks. This is from Griffy. Will did he be placed on the sex offender's registry or is that not a crime he can be placed on? >> Uh that depends. Uh it depends on uh the
[3:28:45]judge's recommend. I mean I think it'll have to come in judgment and commitment order. uh more than likely he probably will have to register as a sex offender. Uh especially since that the crimes he
[3:28:57]committed he he's not eligible like I said earlier for first step back credits. Uh he's not eligible for for the residential drug abuse of treatment program which could have given him up to
[3:29:07]a year off and u a year and a halfway house depending on how much time he's going to be sentenced for. So uh more than likely he probably will have to register as a sex offender. honestly
[3:29:18]like everybody knows about this case. Is it is it even necessary? Everybody would know what he was convicted of. Um so it's just a separate kind of practical point of view. Okay, Sappa, two questions that are related here. This is
[3:29:30]a question from Britney Curry. Is there the possibility of the judge taking into account the fact that Diddy was contacting the victims while awaiting his trial regarding the sentence? Like
[3:29:41]Okay. And uh this is from Fabola Delgado LeBron. I'm not sure if asked and answered, but was the defense contacting witnesses in a threatening manner, causing for one witness to not testify?
[3:29:52]Is that witness intimidation? Okay. So, first of all, I think that second question is regarding Mia, who was going to provide a statement to court, chose not to based on what the defense had written in their letter. That's not
[3:30:02]witness intimidation if you ask me. The judge said that was inappropriate language used, but that doesn't rise to the level of a crime. I guess the bigger question is, you know, all those allegations about that Combmes was contacting people while at the MDC in
[3:30:14]anticipation of uh trial. I haven't heard, unless someone could correct me, I haven't seen the judge reference that yet. Um, that may come up later on. What do you think?
[3:30:24]>> The judge hasn't referenced it yet. I'm surprised the prosecution hasn't referenced it or they might in their last statements to the court. um essentially showing that he has done any
[3:30:34]and everything that he could to try to come from a place of not taking accountability and that includes reaching out to witnesses and you know intimidating and things of that nature.
[3:30:45]And of course that's going to be the government's argument. The defense's argument is going to be a little different. Their argument is going to say, "Hey judge, we have a right to investigate what the government is alleging." That investigation also
[3:30:57]includes our investigators going to speak to witnesses or us confirming what witnesses expect to say or, you know, preparation for trial, which would include having conversations with some
[3:31:07]of these people that the government is going to put on the stand to testify. So, it's fair game either way. And the I don't know how much impact the judge is going to give to that. I don't think
[3:31:18]it's going to be pretty significant if he does because I think that there are so many other things that are on the table for him to consider. And to the point earlier, I think Sierra mentioned something with respect to, you know, the
[3:31:30]thoroughess of the conversations that they're having prior to sentencing is the judge is going through everything with a fine tooth comb. There are sentencing factors that he has to consider. there's case law that he's
[3:31:40]considering and he also wants to make sure and both sides want to make sure that the record is perfected and particularly the defense if this case goes up on appeal and the judge wants to
[3:31:50]make sure that there are no appealing issues as he prepares to hand out his sentence. >> Sierra, there there's a poll that we have up that's really interesting because a lot of people have been
[3:32:01]wondering, okay, what's the impact? What's going to happen? How what's your view of Shawn Colmes? What do you think his life's going to be like after he's ultimately uh released from prison if he's sentenced to prison? Uh or if he's released today, which looks unlikely,
[3:32:12]but has your opinion of Diddy changed since his conviction? So 39% of the people pled say not at all. 32%
[3:32:22]never liked him, 19% say completely, and 10% say a little. What do you think, Sierra? What's your take?
[3:32:32]I think it's an interesting poll, right, to show that a lot of people, it seems as though their, you know, opinions of P. Diddy haven't necessarily changed. And maybe that's because they never
[3:32:44]liked him to begin with. I mean, if we're talking about, you know, since conviction, he has now officially been convicted of this crime. Okay. However, prior to all of this, we've been reporting on this. I remember very
[3:32:55]specifically the first sidebar Jesse that you hosted was November of 2023 because of course that's when Cassie Ventura filed her bombshell lawsuit and then after that it's hard to keep track of the number of civil lawsuits that
[3:33:07]came out. So perhaps maybe it's all of these people who are watching right now who their opinion of P. Diddy changed back then when we first had Cassie and then of course you know we're talking
[3:33:17]about Jane Doe or Liza Gardner etc. all of the many lawsuits leading up to Lil Rod and the many others that trickled out after that and of course I'm sure
[3:33:27]following lawn crime coverage of the trial here where you and Elizabeth Milner broke down everything. I think that probably changed a lot of the court of public opinion about P. did he
[3:33:38]hearing these allegations against him and what it was really like inside the bedroom or hotel room rather what it was like during those you know wild king nights or freakoffs and I'm sure for a
[3:33:48]lot of people that could have changed their opinion of P Diddy but I mean I guess it remains to be seen what's ahead for his future whether he can ever bounce back in terms of you know
[3:33:59]cultural significance I again I've said this from the start I don't think Diddy's going anywhere quietly even if people by and large don't like him. He still has his niche section of
[3:34:10]supporters. >> Interesting you say that because you I'm going back to this update from court. Nicole West Morland speaking on his behalf. She says he's just trying to help. He opened three charter schools in
[3:34:22]neighborhoods where the schools were not good. The motto was black excellence. The youth are our future. Mr. Combmes personally inspired me. I went to an event in DC. Mr. Combmes was there. He
[3:34:33]said, "Listen, everybody, everyone, I'm sorry." He said, "Don't be afraid to dream. Just remember to wake up and put actions behind your dreams." And then he said, "Don't forget to help others. That changed my life." Now, I think when she
[3:34:43]said, "I'm sorry," I think she is crying in court. You know, look, doctor, I wonder if that is impacting the judge here. Maybe not necessarily the emotion, maybe the emotion of the the attorney,
[3:34:55]but talking about the impact he had, the career that he had, the future. I mean, do judges consider the impact that someone can have, the benefit they might have to society?
[3:35:06]>> I I believe so. I mean, I've done uh hundreds of designations uh for inmates across the country throughout my career. Uh the main thing is, you know, going back to that pre-sentence report,
[3:35:18]looking at the offense and conduct, and then when he's been had been interviewed, did he take responsibility? Does the things that reports about him teaching these classes, are they backed
[3:35:29]up by when he met with um the probation officer, did he actually accept responsibility? Uh all those things come into play, but at the end of the day, there's still going to be a judgment.
[3:35:40]So, uh while he it'll be more interesting to see if he is sentenced to, you know, three to five or seven years or 10 years, will he still continue to teach classes? Will he still
[3:35:52]continue to fight for other inmates? That's the test is going to come when the judgment comes down. So, >> I think it's a little bit of theater as far as the defense attorney. Um, you
[3:36:03]know, not necessarily being emotional because that's not, you know, not a problem, but I just think that's not going to make a major impact on the judge's decision because he's going to ultimately weigh uh all of the
[3:36:14]information that has been gathered throughout this case. >> Got another uh question for you from Britney Curry. Since a lot of countries deny entry to a felon, how would his international travel be affected?
[3:36:26]>> Well, if once he's released, he's he's probably going to be on supervised release. So, any travel that he has, he's going to have to go through his uh probation officer. So, during his
[3:36:37]supervised release, so any travel outside of the jurisdiction that he releases from will have to be cleared uh by the probation office. So, >> so Sappa, something interesting is going
[3:36:47]on here too. I want to mention um Nicole West Morland has been saying Mr. Comb was Mr. Combmes was there. He said listen oh sorry sorry Mr. Combmes is just a man and he's made some mistakes.
[3:36:59]He has flaws like we all do. But how many of us can say that we've helped so many lives, countless lives? He's been in jail and he's remorseful. I spend
[3:37:09]every day speaking with him. The judge kind of took objection earlier on about where he basically said it doesn't appear that Shawn Combmes is accepting fully really accepting responsibility
[3:37:20]for what he did here. Is the defense downplaying the crimes too much? Is this going to work against them in terms of sentencing? >> I don't think that they're trying to downplay the crimes, but what I think
[3:37:31]they're trying to do is highlight the other aspects that the judge needs to and will ultimately consider. So, somewhat taking accountability, yes, and and there is going to be a need for that
[3:37:42]from Mr. Combmes's behalf, but also saying yes, judge. And it it's towing a fine line because in their mind there is still some dispute on whether or not these are actual victims or dispute
[3:37:54]about the conviction and some of the the conduct or the alleged facts that the judge is going to consider. So towing that line between accepting responsibility and accountability for that, but also taking that
[3:38:04]accountability and highlighting all of the other things that Mr. Combmes is known for. And I think that it's very unique here. And I I really hope I'm not wrong as I'm saying this. I think that Miss West Morland, she is the
[3:38:16]African-American attorney on the team. >> And so I think it's very interesting that she is delivering the statement at this moment for Mr. Combmes, who is
[3:38:26]obviously a black man who, you know, is one of the pioneers in in the hip hop world and in the entertainment world. And again to her point earlier is he has been one of the few or one of the first
[3:38:38]that has been able to sort of leverage you know black or African-American talent and things of that nature into the entertainment industry and also to
[3:38:47]her point up his impact on her when she had her visit to DC. I don't think that that will significantly impact the judge's decision. But it's interesting to see the lens that they are trying to
[3:38:58]convey to the court through this statement with this attorney. >> By the way, Sierra, we put up a poll regarding one of the bombshells that came out today. >> Uh, how do you feel that Diddy lined up
[3:39:10]speaking events even though he's in custody still? 45% say disrespectful to victims. 26% say moving too fast. 18%
[3:39:20]just business. 11% say smart PR. That was a big bombshell, right? And you you had mentioned why it confuses you with respect. I think you said the math is not mathing.
[3:39:31]>> The math is not mathing, Jesse. And I'm not good at math, but it's not mathing. Okay. So, that poll, it is interesting because while we were on air, you broke that bombshell. And I think I even
[3:39:42]interrupted you. I was so shocked to hear that according to federal prosecutors, P. Diddy has lined up this speaking engagement for next week in Miami. But let me go back to the math
[3:39:53]and break it down if I can. So P Diddy's team, the defense is asking for 14 months, essentially timed serve, but not quite because he was arrested and booked
[3:40:03]into MDC Brooklyn on September 16th, 2024. So we're not quite at the 13-month situation because right now we're only at October 3rd. So if they're asking for
[3:40:15]14 months, let's say they get it, that's what they wanted, right? So that's a little bit more time. I mean that's pushing us into November. So if he has this booking speaking engagement rather
[3:40:25]set for next week, why are they asking for the 14 months? That doesn't make sense to me. But honestly, if you're asking me about the poll, I I am a little shocked that there is this alleged speaking engagement that he was
[3:40:37]that he has booked. However, it is P. Diddy. So how surprised should we be? >> Dr. Hendrix, that's a good point. Dr. Hendricks, does it make sense to you?
[3:40:47]Well, if he gets the 14-month sentence, uh, a year and a day sentence triggers 47 days of good conduct time. So, he's already served a year in prison. So, if
[3:40:57]he gets the 14 months, uh, by he he can get out within a few days. I don't have a computer in front of me to do the calculation. >> That makes it seem like he really thought he's getting out.
[3:41:08]>> Right. Exactly. So, they're they're hedging their bet that uh he's going to get that 14-month sentence and he's prepared to do the things that he wants
[3:41:18]to do in the community and and beyond uh once he gets out. And I think that's why they've uh established the date for this uh speaking engagement in Miami.
[3:41:28]>> They uh they were not there was the prosecution was not happy about that. They basically said it chose this hubris about it. Um super chat question from Christina Lester. Thank you, Christina. Really appreciate it.
[3:41:39]Jesse, will Ben Chu be joining us today? He will not be joining us today. But my gosh, isn't Ben always in our minds? Isn't he always in our hearts? So, let's keep it there. No, but Ben's a busy guy.
[3:41:50]Uh, won't be making it today, but uh maybe we'll be able to relay that question to to him nonetheless. Um, okay. Joe Rod says, "I'm still laughing that the Punisher is at the court." Yes,
[3:42:01]he is there. Um, Nicole West Morland in the MDC, Mr. Combmes started asking people their dreams. That's how free game for Diddy was born. No one's done this in the MDC before. Is that true?
[3:42:12]>> I believe so. Um, you know, as we know, Mr. Combmes is a very creative individual, and I'm sure he probably had a little bit of homework done on the uh evidence-based courses that they already
[3:42:24]have at the facility. So, I'm not surprised that uh he came up with this particular um uh course uh for the individuals and especially since he's
[3:42:34]not going to get paid for facilitating this class. So, why not call it free game and the timing of it um all makes sense as well because I'm sure he didn't have have time during the sent the trial
[3:42:46]phase to have time to be talking to inmates on a daily basis because he was preparing for trial. But post sentence uh since July, I mean, he's had enough time to create this course and uh begin
[3:42:58]facilitating it to the other individuals in the building. And of course, at the end of the day, uh this is to help him ultimately uh because he's not going to be able to benefit from any type of
[3:43:09]courses because he's going to have to serve a day for a day at 85% if he does get above 14 months. >> Hey Sappa, here's a question for you. This is from Ray Santiago. Can the
[3:43:21]president pardon him? >> Well, yes, he can. At this point, Mr. Combmes has been convicted. And so now, if the judge want
[3:43:32]or excuse me, not the judge, but if Mr. Trump wanted to, he could certainly consider a pardon for Mr. Combmes. >> You think he's going to do it? Nah, >> I think there was conversation about it
[3:43:44]and then Trump said something to the effect that maybe Diddy was on the opposite side of the political spectrum as him. So, I think Mr. Trump's going to leave that one alone.
[3:43:55]>> What did you make, uh, Dr. Hendris, of the video? So, we we've been playing it a little bit. Have you ever seen that before where a video has been put together highlighting the achievements,
[3:44:05]the career, the volunteer service, the benefits someone has provided to a community? Um, have you seen that? Has that been effective before? >> No, I have not seen it before, but
[3:44:17]obviously we're now living in a technology age and I think this may be the start of something. I'm sure other individuals who have access to footage or B-roll or photos that they may be
[3:44:28]able to show their goodwill in the communities if they come from across the country, they may be able to establish something like that like Mr. Combmes is doing to show his human side. And this
[3:44:40]should be something to to illustrate for all individuals that are being incarcerated across this country that they may be humanized uh and that they may have to take responsibility for
[3:44:51]their actions, but they still can contribute something to society as they move forward. So, I think this is a good thing that he he's doing to show his human side, even though he's convicted
[3:45:02]of the two uh counts that he was. And I believe that this could be some a start of something in the future for other individuals who are facing uh federal and state time. >> Sierra, there's a lot of question, a lot
[3:45:13]of feeling about the emotion there today. Right. So, you had there's a poll up that says, "How do you think Diddy will react when he hears his fate?" 37% say he'll be emotion emotional. 29% say
[3:45:24]calm and composed. 20% will say shocked. 14% say defiant. What is the feeling outside that courthouse? What has been the feeling during the course of this
[3:45:34]trial? There are complicated emotions for people. I I think a big part of it was, you know, the Shawn Combmes that we knew, the Shawn Combmes that was beloved, the Shawn Combmes that was
[3:45:45]renowned. To hear the allegations against him and to hear what he was convicted of was a shock to many people. And it kind of goes into that poll about does your feeling about him change? Does your view on him change? But there are
[3:45:56]complicated feelings where people don't believe the victims in this case. There are people who don't believe he should have been convicted. there people who believe he should have been convicted across the board. What is that feeling that you're seeing from outside the
[3:46:07]courthouse and as you've been covering this trial? >> I think it's hard, right? Because the reason that we all are following this case is because we know the name Shawn
[3:46:18]P. Diddy Combmes because he was a celebrity. And that's really what it is. When when we know a celebrity, we know them from afar. We idolize them because of their music or movies, etc. And we don't necessarily know what's going on
[3:46:29]behind closed doors. But now with this trial, with everything seemingly out in the open, it does, to your point in that poll we spoke about earlier, change the course of public opinion in regards to
[3:46:40]P. Diddy and the allegation and now conviction that he has. So I guess it remains to be seen what sort of reaction Diddy himself, Shawn Combmes, will have when this sentence is handed down. As
[3:46:50]for what's going on right here, I've seen a little bit of everything. Earlier throughout this live stream today, I've heard multiple people running up and down the street yelling, "Free Diddy."
[3:47:00]So, there are still supporters here for P. Diddy. Additionally, I just saw a man moments ago who came over live streaming and said, "I've been watching lawn crime. I'd love you guys." So, you know,
[3:47:11]we have people here who are watching our live stream down at the courthouse supporting what we're talking about here. So, it's an interesting juxiposition juxaposition of emotions
[3:47:21]here on both sides. I want to get two quick points from both my guests before I have to sign them off. Sierra's going to stay with us, of course. Um, so there's an update here, Dr. Hendris, um, from court. Nicole West Morland, there
[3:47:32]is no benefit to warehousing Mr. Combmes in prison. Thank you. Uh, judge asked Mr. Steel. Mr. Steel says, Brian Steel, one of his defense attorneys, we wanted his children to come up then show the
[3:47:44]video. Judge says, please come forward. My name is Quincy Brown. He's my father. So, we're about to hear from Quincy Brown. no benefit to warehousing Mr. Combmes in prison. >> Well, I mean, of course, the defense is
[3:47:55]going to say that because, you know, they don't want their client to be behind bars. So, I mean, that, uh, but in terms of him, you know, being held
[3:48:04]accountable for his actions, uh, and the judge is going to have to make that decision. And that's why they they uh they have the high responsibility of being a federal judge is that they are
[3:48:15]going to be able to measure all of the information based on the evidence, based on criminal history, based on what he can bring to the table in the community later on in his life. And ultimately
[3:48:27]that judge is going to have to make that decision. So, uh but I'm not surprised that uh his defense attorney said there's no public benefit from it. Um, so I mean, and that's that and that's a
[3:48:38]question for a lot of different individuals who are incarcerated, but ultimately he's going to have to take responsibility for his actions and it may include some jail time.
[3:48:49]>> Um, they're they're moving pretty quickly, Sappa, through these statements from family. Quincy Brown says this is his son. He is transformed. He will not jeopardize his freedom again. As his
[3:49:00]children, we wish to heal together. Next up, my name is Justin Combmes. I ask you give my father a second chance. My father is my superhero. My father always
[3:49:10]told me to believe in God. I talked to my father every day, every other hour. Next up, I'm Christian Combmes. I'm the one who most resembled my pops, my manurism. My whole life, I studied my
[3:49:22]dad up and down. He is the greatest man in the world, my superhero. Is this going to have an impact on the judge's decision? Safa, >> I think it's most certainly going to
[3:49:32]have an impact and I think that this in part is going to be the defense's strongest tactic to get the judge to come in alignment with their sentencing
[3:49:42]request. Right now, what you see is obviously the children of Mr. Holmes who are really delivering heartfelt, heart impacting and pulling at the judge's heartstrings for leniency for their
[3:49:54]father. And these are the individuals that truly have firsthand relationships and that will be impacted the most with Mr. Comb's absence. So I think that what
[3:50:04]they are going to be saying and what his other children continue to say will have a compelling effect on the judge. So compelling that, you know, he'd give him time served or the 14 months
[3:50:15]essentially. Probably not. But I think that these statements from the children are going to really echo in the judge's mind as he considers his sentence. Safa Robinson Ferrer, Dr. Dwayne Hendricks,
[3:50:26]thank you both so much for coming on. Really, really appreciate your expert insight and analysis into this as we continue into another hour of the Shan Diddy sentencing. Sierra Gillespie and I will be right back. We have new guests
[3:50:37]coming on. Again, I said full day affair. We don't know how long this sentencing is going to happen, but we're covering it for you right here on Long Crime. We'll be right back. What happened?
[4:00:48][Music] All right, welcome back everybody. Our live coverage here on long crime, long
[4:00:58]crime of Shawn Diddy Combmes sentencing continues. I'm Jesse Weber and thank you so much for joining us. We still do not know the sentence for Shawn Combmes after he was convicted of two counts of transportation to engage in
[4:01:08]prostitution, moving people across state lines, international lines for the purposes of sex work. This includes the victims Cassie Ventura and Jane. But we kind of got a hint. The judge earlier
[4:01:19]on, Judge Jurun Submanian said that he does not see a reason to deviate from the sentencing guidelines of about five to seven years in prison. Is that a
[4:01:30]definitive answer as to what he's going to do? No. Because what are we seeing right now? It's the defense's turn to put kind of mitigating evidence forward to ask for leniency. And and that by the
[4:01:41]way, I've said this before, I'll say it again. That's what makes this sentencing hearing so interesting. We have no idea what the exact sentence will be. There's no pro- forum mandatory sentence. There's a range here. Defense was asking
[4:01:53]for 14 months, basically asking for him to be released from the MDC immediately. The prosecution was asking for 11 years in prison. Are we going to get that? But
[4:02:03]the defense right now is calling Shawn Combmes family members to provide statements to the court. I mentioned before that Justin and Quincy had made statements. Uh Christian Combmes has
[4:02:15]just told the court, which is interesting considering what Shan Holmes was convicted of. He told me to treat women like a queen, and I do. I see in
[4:02:26]his eyes as his twin that he has changed. Next up, my name is Jesse Combmes, and I'm 18 years old. Apparently, she's crying as she's giving this statement. When my mother died, I
[4:02:36]was just a little girl. I remember my dad sitting us down. It helped me survive when I just wanted my mom. My name is Chance Combmes, his daughter. He's changed. She's crying as well. He
[4:02:48]speaks with a clear mind. My name is Delilah Combmes. We watch our 2-year-old sister. She cannot grow up fatherless. Your honor, please let us move forward not as a headline, but as a family.
[4:02:59]She's crying as well. Judge says, "Thank you all. This is important for me to hear." Brian, Brian Steel, Sean Combmes's defense attorney, says, "We would like to show the movie." So, there was a
[4:03:10]movie that was prepared, this compilation of we'll play it here as B-roll. We can't play the audio due to copyright reasons, but um Shan Col's
[4:03:20]life, his career, the work that he's done for the community. It's interesting seeing this as we talk about what impact this will have on the judge. Uh it's up to his discretion about what the
[4:03:31]sentence will be here. Um, but I'm here right now with prison consultant Justin Pernie. I'm here with litigator Rich Shoenstein, trial attorney. And I'm also here with Sierra Gillespie, who is outside that federal courthouse. And by
[4:03:42]the way, Elizabeth Milner is inside in that courtroom as well. We'll get to her later. Um, Rich, I'll start with you. Do you think this is going to have an impact on the judge? You you're asking about the video. I
[4:03:56]think the video would have a negative impact on the judge. I don't think this video is for the judge. I think the video is for the public. I think the video is for his fans. I think the video
[4:04:07]is for his supporters and people who have an interest who are going to see it on the news or on social media. That video from the perspective of influencing the judge to me is a
[4:04:19]negative. I don't think that video is what he wanted to give to the judge. The letter that he submitted was a decent effort to persuade the judge. I believe
[4:04:29]the letter was for the judge and the video was for the public. >> We're also here with trial attorney Adante Pointer. Adante, do you think those statements from the family, those emotional statements from the family
[4:04:41]where the judge just said, "This is important for me to hear, do you think that's going to affect the sentence? Do you think the judge has already gone in with a sentence and may be swayed by
[4:04:50]what he's hearing?" >> Adante, I think you have you are you muted? Okay, we got you. Yep. you were saying that's >> that's certainly Diddy's team and his family's hope is that those cries, those
[4:05:02]pleas for help, the idea that the punishment is not just borne by Diddy alone, but also by his family and that can have repercussions as well is something that the judge should take
[4:05:12]into consideration. However, when the judge starts off by talking about the guidelines, say what they say in terms of six to seven years, you know, you're now having to kind of battle back from
[4:05:24]that position and identify some points of mitigation that would cause the judge to persuade the judge to go below the sentencing guidelines >> or or do you think it's, hey, I'm not
[4:05:35]going to go past it. I I still agree, he might say, I still agree 5 to seven years, uh, Dante, but I'm not going to 11. I'm not going past it. That you think that's an where these statements
[4:05:47]this video could come into play? >> Well, certainly uh it could come into play for that. I mean, look, if you're playing defense, which Comolmes is cuz he's been convicted, then you're trying
[4:05:57]to put a cap on the maximum punishment that you can get at minimum. In your best case scenario, you've provided persuasive information that makes the
[4:06:08]judge want to depart below the guidelines, which is their best case scenario, right? So, the best case scenario, you want the judge not to even reach the 5 to sevenyear marker. Worst
[4:06:17]case scenario, please don't go above the guidelines and hit me with the 11 years the prosecution is uh banging on their drum about. >> Now, we do have a super chat question
[4:06:28]from Bravado Agency. Uh such a great super chat question, Bravado Agency. Just wait one second. I will get to it. I just want to go to Justin Pernie about something. It is important to note Justin and I want you to clarify it for
[4:06:40]our audience. Okay. If he is sentenced to significant prison time, so anywhere five years and more, how much time will he actually serve and where do you think
[4:06:51]he will serve it? >> That answer actually helps with the video, if I can touch on that quickly. I think the video does a good job of helping the judge look at the totality
[4:07:02]of his life along with the statements from the children and the letters. It's important because these videos and letters lay out some vision of what he will do moving forward. So, even if it
[4:07:12]doesn't directly impact the sentence, there are promises in this copy that the Bureau of Prisons can later use down the road to determine if he is authentic, if he is following through on the
[4:07:23]commitments that he made in this letter, or he is now asking a case manager to take the totality of his life into consideration in sending him direct to home confinement. So, that's why I think it's important for the mitigation. The
[4:07:34]question is, will he follow through? I think he will given what he's done while he's in custody. I think a lot of it's been impressive to the sentence. Based on this crime, as I understand it, he
[4:07:45]would be ineligible to get earned time credits under the First Step Act, a law that President Trump signed in 2018. These earned time credits can take up to one year off of your sentence. And with
[4:07:56]BOP directives, these credits can continue to stack. As a result of this conviction, he is ineligible. So that's additional time he would serve in prison. If the sentence, I presume, is 3
[4:08:07]years or longer. If I were betting he would eventually get transferred from MDC per the first step act they want to send you to a prison within 500 miles of your release address I presume it would
[4:08:17]be a low security prison if in California most likely lump or terminal island here in San Pedro. If it's the short sentence his legal team is asking
[4:08:27]for probably three years or less with good time together with what he served he may say I'd just like to to finish the rest of my sentence here. >> Yep. Very consistent with what Dr.
[4:08:37]Hendricks was saying uh um I think we're working on getting Sierra Gillespie up as we do. I just want to go now Rich to Bravado Agency. This question uh the super chat question Rich Judge submanian
[4:08:48]clerk for just Ruth Gator Justice Ruth Gate excuse me justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She embraced her judicial role with the solemn responsibility of following the law. How might this
[4:08:59]influence affect Judge Subbermanian today? Well, I I don't know if it's the Ruth Bader Ginsburg connection, although she
[4:09:09]was of course one of the significant Supreme Court justices of our lifetime and a great place to clerk. Uh, Judge Subbermanian I think has been trying to
[4:09:20]act within the scope of the law throughout these proceedings. I think he wants to follow the law and obviously no judge wants to get reversed. So, they
[4:09:30]always try to follow the law. So, I do believe he's going to do his best to consistently adhere to the legal
[4:09:38]principles and guidelines. That said, at the end of the day, he has some discretion in sentencing. >> That's what sentencing is all about.
[4:09:48]That's why even even the proposed uh the the PSR is in a range and he can go outside of that range acting consistently with the law. So, he will
[4:09:59]try his best and we will see what he comes up with. >> Well, I'm here with Sierra Gillespie as well. Raises an interesting question. We got this question here from uh Lana Wolf
[4:10:10]Wy. Um do you think Sierra, do you think people will protest and or riot if he gets the max time? So, I guess they're
[4:10:21]referring to what 20 years in prison. Uh which seems unlikely. You're look you're outside that courthouse. you're looking at the scene. I hope for your sake and everyone's sake that that doesn't
[4:10:31]happen, but what do you think? >> I don't necessarily think that there's going to be a 20-year sentence here today. I mean, I think that seems pretty
[4:10:41]extreme, we could maybe rule that out. However, I could see if there is a lengthy sentence that the people here, just based on the vibe, could do
[4:10:51]something. I mean, last time I was here when the verdicts came down, I know I keep talking about this, but it was very notable that people were squirting baby oil and lube at the courthouse here, the
[4:11:02]federal courthouse in the southern district of New York. I mean, it's New York. Anything can happen here. There have been people up and down the streets yelling, "Free Diddy." There have been people running behind me in my live shots and pointing at the monitors
[4:11:13]saying, "That's Jesse Weber." You know, people do not mind coming up to us. People do not mind yelling. I mean, so I think there are a decent amount of Diddy supporters here. And if there was a
[4:11:24]sentence that wasn't great for P. Diddy, I'm not surprised if I'm going to hear some people yelling, maybe I'm going to see some more baby oil and lube, shouting. I mean, there are police barricades and there are officers around
[4:11:35]in case things do get out of control. And again, when the verdicts came down, there were police officers here who had to control traffic. There were so many people and it did it had a heightened
[4:11:46]sense of security here. So, I mean, I guess we'll wait and see what the sentence really is, but I wouldn't be surprised if we get some outbursts from people here in New York. >> And just so you know, I pay those people
[4:11:57]uh very well to say those comments about me. Um, but that's a side note. Um, Justin got a poll question we put in. Um, put it up. Do you believe diddies
[4:12:08]claim transformation? 63% say no. It feels like damage control. 19% say yes, people can grow.
[4:12:17]11% say hard to say. 7% say maybe. The reason I'm posing this question to you is because Diddy in his letter to the judge talked about how the MDC changed
[4:12:28]him. Talked about the good that he can do on the outside, how this has been a transformative moment. We haven't heard from him in court yet, but look at the look at this what it seems to be people
[4:12:38]are very skeptical about this idea of him being transformed. Your take on it. So, I can understand the skepticism. I've been to to prison and a lot of people make a lot of claims. I can
[4:12:49]understand it's in his lawyer's interest to talk about the transformation. I think they're doing a pretty good job. I'm a believer or buyer because we're beginning to compile some evidence from
[4:13:00]people inside of that prison who are willing to put their name to a letter that says, "He is impacting me. He is helping me." There are people that go to prison who play the victim all day. They blame. They excuse. They watch
[4:13:11]television. They do nothing to try to contribute. So, I find it very helpful. I find it positive that while he's been in this really difficult detention center, stripped from his family through his own bad choices, he's making the
[4:13:23]most of the experience. In my opinion, that's the biggest mitigation argument that he has. There is no doubt how much his children love and support and miss him. And I can understand a judge might
[4:13:34]say, "If you were so concerned about your children, you might have given more thought to your conduct." I've been to enough sentencing hearings to know. So, the children have done an excellent job. I think his lawyers are doing a very good job of doing what they're paid to
[4:13:45]do. To his mitigation, avoiding problems, which you shouldn't be rewarded for if you're compliant, but still a lot of people are not. The best thing he has going for him, even if it doesn't directly impact his sentence
[4:13:57]today, because it could influence a case manager down the road, is the work that he has done while is he in while he is in custody to provide value to those who have not had the opportunities, the benefits that he has had throughout a
[4:14:09]lifetime. I think it's real. I think it is significant and I think the judge may comment on it, but if not, you could expect a case manager down the road to be influenced if he continues to do it.
[4:14:20]It just doesn't stop at sentencing. He's continuing to build a record for the rest of his life. Frankly, this isn't a a legal strategy for him. It is a mitigation strategy for his children,
[4:14:30]for his family. But I think it's very genuine what he's done, and I think it's very encouraging. I would just encourage him to continue whatever the number is today. >> So, we have an update from court. Uh,
[4:14:41]that video that they were playing is over. It's been played. The judge says, "Mr. Steel, who will be speaking next?" Brian Steele says, "The Reverend Dr. Johnson." Then the man from the re-entry
[4:14:51]program, if you permit? Judge says, "Any more lawyers?" Brian Steele says, "Myself, then Mr. Donaldson." Um, they're going to resume now at 2 p.m. Eastern. Adante, this may
[4:15:03]take quite some time. Is this typical? Is this typical to see a sentencing on these kind of federal charges take a full day like this?
[4:15:12]>> It's not typical to see a full day of a sentencing. However, I don't think it's the charges. I think it's who is being charged and who is being sentenced is
[4:15:21]why it's taking such a long time. It's not uncommon because you do have to have, you know, both sides, if you will. not only the court weigh in with the sentencing and its analysis, but also
[4:15:32]the prosecution, the prosecutors and whoever the victims want us to talk. And of course, here the defendant has an opportunity. So, it's not a quick situation like you might see in state court where, you know, a person could be
[4:15:44]sentenced within about 15 20 minutes. Uh, this is in federal court and so it's a much more elaborate process. Nevertheless, what I think you see here are two
[4:15:55]titans, if you will. You have the United States government on one side and you know they're asking for 11 years. They're beating their drum. They're pulling anything and everything that they feel the court should consider, but
[4:16:06]the defendant also has the right to do that. And he's well healed. He has a number of attorneys looking at it and they're going to play all the angles to Diddy's benefit. And keep in mind, the
[4:16:17]judge should and is instructed to take into consideration more than just what was in the four corners of the conviction. The judge could take in all the other testimony that was about other
[4:16:28]bad acts, but at the same time, the defendant gets to present the court with all of the things Diddy has done, be it a school that he funded in his in his uh
[4:16:38]neighborhood, uh provided free education and boarding to people, and all the other generous acts that he's done over the years. The judge has to then balance all those things to ultimately come out
[4:16:49]with a sentence. And of course, we're all waiting with baited breath to find out what that will be. Rich, I want to jump on something you mentioned before. You know, his letter to the court. Uh, by all accounts, Shawn Combmes is going
[4:17:00]to provide a statement in court today. It may echo what his letter said. Uh, I was playing before his apology video that came out after the Cassie tape was published by CNN. A lot of people didn't
[4:17:11]buy it. They didn't believe him. He was also accused of committing crimes after that video came out. What can he say in a bestcase scenario? What can he say?
[4:17:21]what can he do that may affect the judge's decision here given that as you said so well that the judge has a lot of discretion here. >> I think the themes that he wants to hit
[4:17:33]on and they were in his letter are remorse, regret, and rehabilitation and and Justin really spelled this out well. I too thought that is by far his
[4:17:44]strongest argument that he can do good and is already doing good and is really capable if he's if he's earnest about
[4:17:54]it. This is someone who's capable of doing immense good in the public if he if he gets out and if he does it. And I think that is his strongest argument. He
[4:18:05]needs to be careful though because there were things in the letter that the judge didn't like and the prosecutors harped on. He can't say anything negative about
[4:18:16]any witness or any victim. He doesn't want to say anything to deny uh committing these crimes or to deflect
[4:18:26]responsibility. He was pretty good in the letter, but he did sort of say something about Mia that I think was misplaced in that letter. He doesn't want to do any of that. He wants to keep
[4:18:37]it short. He wants it to be heartfelt. I I assume he's not going to read something. He's going to use his presenter ability, you know. And to your
[4:18:47]point, Jesse, about how this is taking a long time. I for for better or worse, this is a very welle equipped defendant, right? It is the rare defendant that can
[4:18:58]produce a video to play at their sentencing hearing. I'm not sure I've ever seen that before. Or bring in, you know, multiple children and a reverend
[4:19:09]and other impact statements and have multiple lawyers make arguments and then get up and say something. So, there is a lot to be said. But when it's his turn,
[4:19:20]remorse, regret, rehabilitation, sit down. >> So, so that's a really good breakdown of what he needs to do. And and it's
[4:19:31]interesting, Justin, because I'm thinking about it. On one hand, the judge could say, "My gosh, you know, it's so unique what Shawn Colmes has been doing in prison, helping his fellow inmates." We got a lot of letters from
[4:19:43]people who say he's changed their lives. You know, he's he may be committed to doing well on the outside. Could the judge take the other view? Well, not everybody's in Shawn Comb's position.
[4:19:52]Not everybody has the ability to teach business classes and use that for their benefit at sentencing. And if I use that to benefit him, that unfair plates
[4:20:03]places him in an unfair position. And and I'm curious, you know, whether the judge may say something like that and and while it's great what he's doing and commends him for doing it, he can't use
[4:20:13]it as a deciding factor to determine what his sentence should be. I'm just curious your opinion on it, Justin. So, I there is a nonprofit I'm affiliated with called Prison Professors Charitable
[4:20:24]Corporation that is in every BOP prison. It influences millions of people and a number of people will volunteer to that nonprofit and it's been very helpful through sentencing hearings and judges
[4:20:34]have commented on it. It has never been harmful. I don't think this work that he did would be harmful unless you have the lawyers or Mr. Holmes try to oversell it, right? The the the impact of it or
[4:20:46]if it wasn't real. I've been to sentencing hearings where judges will say, "Yes, I saw you go to the soup kitchen once a week. You've truly changed the world." And any volunteer work is clearly working against them. So, I think it has to be realistic. It
[4:20:57]has to be measurable. I think one year is a sustained period of time. I don't think you should punish him for having skills that he's choosing to use to help people. What's the alternative? Sit
[4:21:07]there all day in isolation and complain. He shouldn't be hurt or impacted negatively by trying to help people. Some people try to oversell it. It
[4:21:16]doesn't appear as if he has. I would argue that for him to get maximum benefit regardless of the sentence today as someone who's been to federal prison, but I was in federal prison in 2008 when
[4:21:27]there was no prison reform. There was no agenda to advance my release date. Measures have changed through the first step act more that we think is coming. So, it's really in his interest whether
[4:21:38]he gets 5 years, seven years, 11 years to say, "Your honor, regardless of what happens today at sentencing, I'm going to continue this through my sentence, probation for the rest of my life, and use this experience as an asset to
[4:21:50]influence many of the brothers that I I have met here in prison." >> Okay, so I have big news. Elizabeth Milner, Queen Elizabeth, is with us right now. She is straight from the
[4:22:01]courtroom. She was in there for the entirety of the day so far. Elizabeth, it is so great to see you. I I have to start with this. Um, you can tell me how
[4:22:12]Shawn Combmes appears, how he looks, but you got to tell me what the emotion was like in the courtroom in the past hour. We're reading about it. We're hearing
[4:22:22]what his children, his attorney, Nicole West Morland, that they were sobbing, but I don't know if it's really doing it justice for what the feeling is like in that courtroom. Can you break it down
[4:22:32]for us? Yeah, absolutely, Jesse. Well, when Shawn Combmes first came into the courtroom today, you know, we were we were knowing what the tone would necessarily be. Would he come in? Would
[4:22:43]he appear confident? Well, when he did come in today, he was kind of in um he was in non or excuse me, civilian clothes. Now, he wasn't in the MDC jumpsuit or anything like that. He was wearing a tan sweater, white undershirt, dark pants, all of his tattoos covered
[4:22:55]up. He waved at his family and he did prayers hands to him. And I noted even in my notes cuz we're not allowed to have electronic devices when we're in the courtroom just about how nervous to me at least he seems while walking in.
[4:23:06]And I can only imagine how he feels being in that predicament. He is facing sentencing. It could go either way. I think a lot of people obviously are anticipating um what that sentence will ultimately be, but you could tell like
[4:23:17]it felt like the weight of the world was on him. And then I think Jesse honestly when you know we had um an attorney speak before Nicole West Morland came on that was Jason Driscoll really kind of honing in on kind of some of the legal
[4:23:27]arguments but I was very surprised honestly to see Nicole West Morland get so emotional during this sentencing you know and it really kind of began when she started talking about revolt television and all of Shawn Combmes's
[4:23:39]accomplishments. something that the defense I feel like has been using this as a way to kind of appease to not only the judge but possibly the public in terms of his redemption when it comes to just wanting people to not think about
[4:23:51]this case, not think about the trial, not think about these allegations, but more so really just talk about his accomplishment and what he's done for the community and more specifically what he's done to the black community. And so Nicole West Morland really getting
[4:24:03]emotional when she was talking about how he spent a lot of time helping his community, how he helped um break the chain of systemic racism, how he opened three charter schools in povertystricken
[4:24:13]areas, how he employed thousands of people. He gave opportunity to inner city individuals. His companies were very diverse. He inspired generations to follow. They were bringing about or they were talking about vote or die. Then
[4:24:24]Nicole West Morland kind of made it a little more personal where she was discussing how some of her um interests were um where she was super passionate about mass incarceration. She went to an
[4:24:35]event eight years ago and who was the speaker there? None other than who would end up being her client years later and that was Shawn Diddy Combmes. And she said that he had said something along the lines of listen everyone don't be
[4:24:45]afraid to dream. Just remember to wake up put those actions behind your dreams. And she said that pretty much changed her life. She says Mr. Combmes isn't larger than life. He's just a man who
[4:24:56]made mistakes. And then I think the tears really started to fall when the children um came to speak um at the podium today. And it wasn't even necessarily a situation where they were rushed over into the front of the
[4:25:07]courtroom and all had a turn. It was really just kind of a simple casual measure. They all got up to the podium. They all stood together and it's six of them minus um the seventh child that being of course baby love who's only 2 years old. Didn't see her in the
[4:25:19]courtroom or anything like that. But I did see her um mother Dana Tran inside there. But all the kids lined up at the podium. It's sitted near the jury box and Quincy Brown speaks first. And I think what's important to note is Quincy
[4:25:31]Brown, his um biological father is actually Alb Shur who had a relationship with Kim Porter. They were together. Um but um Shawn Combmes adopted Quincy when he was very young. And then and there
[4:25:41]was kind of some talk before um prior just about um the relationship between Quincy Brown and his biological father. But in terms of what he was speaking about today in sentencing, he said that he's our father in front of us. We see a
[4:25:52]changed man week after week. Um he we can see him evolve. Our father will never do anything to jeopardize his freedom. Now Justin Combmes spoke afterwards. Christian Combmes spoke after that. But Jesse Combmes is really
[4:26:04]where it started to kind of pick up in terms of the emotions again where she immediately started crying. And I can only imagine how that feels to speak in front of not only the judge, but in front of your father, in front of a
[4:26:14]whole bunch of um people in the media who want to hear what the kids have to say. Because even though we saw them inside the courtroom, Jesse, even though we've seen them in passing in the cafeteria and other things like that, this is the first time we're really kind
[4:26:26]of hearing them speak about how their lives have been um impacted um by Shawn Combmes's um you know um the allegations that have been against him and the conduct, all of that stuff. But they
[4:26:37]said right up the front, they were like, "We're not here to make excuses for him. Um, we aren't here to excuse his mistakes and we need him in our lives." Um, Jesse Combmes talking about um how she lost her mom, that um her mom being
[4:26:48]Kim Porter when she was very young and that Sean Combmes promised to be there to keep them safe. Then Chance Combmes spoke afterwards and she said that we're just daughters who need our father. When
[4:26:59]we um talk, he speaks with a clear mind now. He's more patient. He's thoughtful. He wants to be a better man. He wants to be a better father. he's parented our 2-year-old sister from jail. And I see
[4:27:09]glimpses of our father during that. She said our sister deserves and that the sister being um 2-year-old love deserves a father who was present to teach her how to ride a bike to um tuck her in at
[4:27:20]night before she goes to bed. Something that all kids want from their parents, right? Then Delila Combmes afterwards um spoke after Chance. She said that we're scared of the thought of not having our mom and our dad in our life. And she
[4:27:31]says that these are the years that we'll never get back. She says, "I know um that much or that missing the missing years hurt because we lost our mom and they've already lost so much." So really that was kind of a time where we were
[4:27:42]really kind of seeing everyone get a little emotional in terms of um people on the defendant side, Shawn Combmes himself. I think it was um a moment where we were kind of seeing him inside the courtroom at the defense table
[4:27:53]really kind of turn and look at his children. Kind of hard for him to keep a straight face with that. like he was so emotional, which I understand. He's a father um and he's a father to many children and the kids have gone through
[4:28:04]a lot in their life. And so it was very emotional, Jesse. I can definitely say that it was a lot of tears um inside the gallery, especially on Shawn Combmes's side, but definitely from Shawn Combmes himself, too. He was very emotional
[4:28:14]while his kids were speaking. >> There's a lot at stake today. It's not surprising you're seeing this. Um by the way, before I ask you something else, I just have to let you know the amount of love that you're getting online is quite
[4:28:26]palpable. Um, Basty failed. Greetings, my queen. We love you in Germany. Uh, Christina Lester, super chat comment who's been great today. Tell Elizabeth, her skin is glowing as per usual. Nikki
[4:28:38]Hayes, how are you, Elizabeth? We heart and appreciate you. Anto Grego, beautiful Jesse and Queen Elizabeth, love you guys. You make a great team. Meen Borbin, oh how I miss the chat, the lunchtime show and the long crime team
[4:28:49]and panel. Long crime, thank you for all your hard work. So, uh, and super chat question from Mike one. Um, what's the update? Well, I think um uh Elizabeth just laid out the entire update. I will
[4:29:00]ask you this. There was a question um from the lone medic. How long does Elizabeth think Diddy will be sentenced for? Wasn't there a comment today?
[4:29:12]Wasn't there a comment today, Elizabeth, from the judge that he does not see any reason to deviate from the guidelines of
[4:29:20]what 5 to seven years? >> Yes. Yes. And so there was a lot of math that I was honestly doing, Jesse, because when they're talking about the sentencing guidelines, they're always talking about it in ranges of months.
[4:29:32]And so because there are 12 months in a year, I'm having to do quick math. So really what the judge is kind of looking at and what the PSR recommendation was was 70 to 87 months, which by my
[4:29:43]calculations, cuz I don't have a calculator inside that courtroom, about 6 or seven years. So I could see it possibly being definitely on the higher range than maybe the defense was
[4:29:53]expecting. I think especially in term in um terms of the judge's tone today when he brought up that Shawn Combmes had been talking um publicly about possibly
[4:30:02]doing an in-person speaking engagement in Miami. I think actually I take that back. It wasn't the judge who brought that up, but it was more so the government who specifically brought that up because it seems like from the defense's side that they were expecting
[4:30:14]possibly for him to be released today pending the outcome of what the sentencing may be. And so, um, in terms of my personal opinions, I don't think
[4:30:23]the judge is def is going to be lenient today. And I don't know if necessarily the victim impact statements, seeing the video that played um, inside the courtroom, hearing from Shawn Combmes's
[4:30:34]children, hearing from his defense attorneys will sway him in any type of way. I think he's um probably already has his decision already made, but if I were to have my guess, I wouldn't put it
[4:30:44]past him to have anything below two years. And possibly with the um with the possibility of time served, that's only another year in prison. And so, we'll see um what the outcome will be once
[4:30:55]that sentence is eventually handed down, which will be later this afternoon for sure, >> possibly. >> Um yeah. So, we have a question also um and I apologize if you answered it before, but it's this from Rebecca L.
[4:31:07]What is Diddy wearing today? >> Mhm. Yes. Well, Rebecca, Diddy is wearing, cuz I always write it down, whatever he is wearing inside, um, is wearing a tan sweater or white
[4:31:17]undershirt, and he's wearing dark pants today, which is different from the last time I actually saw him in the courtroom, and that being the hearing that happened just last week when he actually appeared in the MDC jumpsuit.
[4:31:28]And so, still kind of a similar color, but definitely um, in civilian clothes as opposed to last week's hearing. And by the way, this revelation that Mia,
[4:31:39]who was one of the victims in this case, said claimed that Shong sexually assaulted her. She was supposed to provide a statement today. She had provided a letter to the court. The defense objected to her providing a
[4:31:50]statement in court. She >> didn't want to speak today. I mean, can you talk to us about that revelation, too? That happened at the beginning of the day. >> Yeah, that was a big revelation. And I
[4:32:01]was expecting to hear some in-person victim impact statements, especially from government witnesses. And so it was a big shocker when Christy Slavic said today that Mia no longer wants or wishes
[4:32:12]to give a victim impact statement. And she um Christy Slavic had said that Mia had submitted a written statement. And that was the same um letter from the government sentencing memo. And then it was interesting, Jesse, honestly, to
[4:32:24]hear the judge kind of get a little um kind of testy a little bit with the defense's side because he pretty much said the tone of the defense's letter in response to Mia giving a victim impact
[4:32:34]statement was was just inappropriate. And the tone of that letter was pretty harsh. It was kind of the same tone and impact that the cross-examination was, where they set out in legal filing, they called her a liar. They said that she
[4:32:45]was um having kind of a fake demeanor while she was on the witness stand. There's all of these things. So, it honestly, Jesse, it wasn't too much of a surprise that she did end up changing her mind, but I can understand why she might have been apprehensive about
[4:32:57]coming into court today, especially given the defense's response to her just wanting to give a victim impact statement, something that we see that's pretty routine in these sentencing hearings. >> So, Elizabeth, I know you have to jump
[4:33:08]back into that courtroom. Excellent reporting. Uh, you're going to come back later on. Um, we will see when the sentence is handed down. And also, Elizabeth's going to be on with me for a special sidebar later when we break down everything uh that happened in court
[4:33:19]today. Uh, Elizabeth Milner, thank you so much. Appreciate it. >> Thanks, Jesse. >> All right, so Sierra's going to come back on in a little bit. All my guests,
[4:33:29]uh, Rich, Justin, Adante, stay with me. We're going to take a quick break on our end. The court is currently in break. When they come back, we'll come back and we'll continue to provide live coverage of Shan Diddy Combmes sentencing day.
[4:33:41]Stay with us. >> Yes.
[4:48:43]See you later.
[4:54:39]Anything? I thought you wanted to give me audio.
[4:56:30]Damn it. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
[4:57:05]>> Hey guys, it's We're here at the courthouse. We're here at the courthouse. Hold on. He's gonna see if the >> um Wait, do you hear anything? Hey, hey, hey.
[4:57:19]We're here. We're here. We're here at the courthouse. Hello. Hello. Hello. Hello. Hello. Hello. Hello. Hello. Hello. Hello.
[4:57:30]Hello. Hello. Hello. You're not hearing an actual voice.
[4:57:39]>> No. Hold on. He's changing it. Hang on. My code. Can you hear us now? Can you guys hear
[4:57:48]us in the LA office? Can you hear us? >> You can hear me, >> but they got to hear me over in LA. >> Hello.
[4:58:00]>> Line level. Hello, hello, hello, hello, hello. We're
[4:58:45]coming to you live from New York City. Can you guys hear me? Coming to you live from New York City. >> Hold on. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey,
[4:59:09]hey, hey. Coming to you live from New York. Can you guys hear me? Can you guys hear me? Hello. Hello. Hello. Hello. [Music]
[4:59:48]and welcome back to our live coverage of Shaun Diddy Combmes sentencing out in federal court in downtown Manhattan. I'm Jesse Weber. Uh really, thank you so much for joining us. We are waiting for
[4:59:58]what that official sentence will be. We're waiting for the court to start up again. And it was a highly emotional moment earlier on today when several of Shawn Combmes children took the stand
[5:00:10]and provided impact statements, provided statements to the court, uh asking the judge to be lenient in his sentence after Shawn Combmes was convicted of two counts of transportation to engage in
[5:00:20]prostitution in his trial over the summer. Um, we reported earlier on that it seems the judge has indicated that he will not deviate or let me rephrase, he sees no reason to deviate at this point
[5:00:31]from the recommended sentence of 5 to seven years in prison. There is something potentially that could change his mind to go one way or another. Remember, his defense attorneys were
[5:00:41]asking for 14 months. Prosecutors were asking for 11 years. There is an unknown here. We don't know which way the judge will actually go. But as we talked about Elizabeth Milner who was inside that
[5:00:53]courtroom, these were highly, highly emotional uh statements where you heard crying, sobbing, Shawn Combmes was getting emotional. Um it's being
[5:01:03]reported by NBC that more than 30 members of Shawn Combmes family and friends are sitting in the first several rows of that courtroom. Obviously, there's no cameras there, but we're doing our best to update you in real time about what's happening. As soon as
[5:01:14]they go back live, we will let you know. But right now, I want to discuss what we're seeing, what is happening. I want to bring in trial attorney Adante Pointer. I want to bring in prison consultant Justin Pernie. I want to
[5:01:26]bring in litigator Rich Shoenstein. And also, we have with us Sierra Gillespie, who's outside that courthouse. But, uh, Justin, I'll start with you. There was something that you said about what
[5:01:35]Elizabeth was referring to. Elizabeth was talking about the what what what she was witnessing in that courtroom, what the feeling was like, um, you know, maybe where the judge might be going.
[5:01:46]What did you take away from it? >> About 10 months ago in an interview with Elizabeth, she asked me, "So like what is success for Shawn Combmes if convicted?" And success would be trying to get the shortest sentence possible.
[5:01:57]Of course, the guidelines 70 to 87, that's still a year and a half of his life. That's a a big range. So even though the judge is inclined to give a sentence within those guidelines, it
[5:02:07]would be really successful for Mr. Combmes if he got that 70 or 71. and maybe the the video, the letters. I'm hopeful the work that he has done while
[5:02:17]in custody could convince this judge to give him the shortest sentence possible. I do think there's value he could provide to the community provide there are some metrics that are holding him accountable. He would be unsupervised,
[5:02:28]but that would be a huge win. I told Elizabeth and I remind everyone right now that is a big gap. 17 months is no joke and perhaps his lawyers, but moreover the work that he's done in
[5:02:38]inside on the inside could convince the judge to to give him 70 months. That would be a massive win for him. >> Uh Rich, you were listening to my description of the statements from the
[5:02:50]children as we were talking about in real time. You heard Elizabeth's description. What were your thoughts on whether or not that's going to have an impact on the judge's sentencing here? >> I don't think it's going to have an impact on the judge's sentencing. And I
[5:03:01]want to bring back one of my themes here. There are two things going on today. One is a genuine effort by the defense to influence the judge's
[5:03:11]sentence and the second is making a public statement on behalf of Shawn Combmes to his fans and to the rest of the public about him. I thought the
[5:03:21]video was targeted at the latter effort and the children too I think is more part of the public effort to vindicate
[5:03:31]him and tell his full story. A federal judge is not going to pay any heed to the fact that Shawn Holmes, Shan Holmes has children. There are numerous
[5:03:42]people in the criminal justice system in prison who have children, men, women, prisoners with children. And that is not
[5:03:52]a basis to reduce his sentence. And in some ways, the fact that he has children should have increased his vigilance.
[5:04:02]should have been further responsibility for him to act appropriately and not commit crimes. So I don't think it's a successful argument for the courts. I think it is potentially a successful
[5:04:14]argument for the public facing portion of his presentation. >> Why then Rich did the judge say that was important for me to hear not just thank you appreciate your words that was
[5:04:25]important for me to hear. Well, I do think the judge wants to give a voice to everybody affected. One of the purposes of a sentencing hearing is to allow
[5:04:37]victims to be heard, is to allow fembers and other supporters to be heard and to express themselves publicly. And I'm
[5:04:47]sure the judge was acknowledging them. Those family members haven't committed any crimes and they have been hurt by this. Don't hear me as saying there is
[5:04:58]not something real and dramatic about a child being deprived a connection with their parent for a substantial period of time. That's horrible and I think the
[5:05:08]judge was acknowledging that. I just really don't see it impacting the sentence. >> So, one thing that Go ahead. >> Oh, yeah. I was just going to ask you about something about this about your
[5:05:18]reaction to this, but also I should note what we can expect, right? What we can expect for the rest of the day. We understand that two more of his lawyers will be speaking. Sean Combmes will be making a statement. A reverend's going
[5:05:29]to be making a statement. I'm not sure if the prosecution's going to be calling uh anybody or they may just read letters into the record um regarding maybe some of the victims, but your reaction to
[5:05:40]what Rich said and also what we can expect for the remainder of the day. What are you looking out for? >> Yeah, sure. I mean, kids certainly give a perspective and I think it's an important one because who they're dealing with and what they've described
[5:05:51]is, hey, we've seen our own father change, be more patient, you know, more guidance, more present, even though not physically present, but perhaps more emotionally present and giving more
[5:06:02]sound advice than the entertainer and the person who was zipping across the world for these sex capades or freakoffs. So, I think it's important that their perspective was heard. At the
[5:06:13]end of the day, I agree with Rich. I'm not sure how much it's really going to sway the court because there's many defendants who come before a judge who have kids and all kind of family obligations and they still get sentenced
[5:06:24]to long and hard time. So I don't see that as being determinative of the sentence although it's something that will be taken into consideration but
[5:06:33]will it impact it? Probably not. And to go to what you said earlier or what was said in terms of there's a year and a half or 17 months if you will of time uh
[5:06:44]difference between uh the bottom half bottom range and the top range for these charges. And as being someone who's visited clients in prison, being somebody who's represented clients in
[5:06:56]these cases, be it in state court or federal criminal defense cases, every day in custody is equivalent to a thousand days here in the free world.
[5:07:05]So, uh, we talk about numbers, we talk about months, we talk about years somewhat cavalerely, but when you're facing that time and you have to do that time, all of those days, months, years,
[5:07:17]hours, and minutes, and seconds count. And uh, it's something not to be taken uh, lightly. >> Now, Justin, I'm going to have you jump in on the conversation, but I also want to read you something. I want to read
[5:07:27]you a paragraph from Shawn Colm's letter to the court. He may echo similar statements when he provides a statement uh to court today. For over a year, I've
[5:07:37]been locked in one room with 25 other incarcerated people sharing the same one room. In this room that I share, there are no windows. There is no natural clean air. There's no sunlight. We all
[5:07:48]live in one room. We eat, sleep, use the toilet, take showers, and prepare meals all in the same room. The conditions that my actions have placed me in are inhumane. I don't tell you this for pity
[5:07:59]or sympathy. I'm simply sharing my truth and the truth of my fellow incarcerated people. We have no clean drinking water and we boil our drinking water. We all share one washing machine which is
[5:08:10]broken. I am surrounded by drugs and I live every day with the constant threat of being stabbed or losing my life. Again, I am not expecting pity or sympathy. But my time at MDC has changed
[5:08:22]me forever. I think that last line is the key there why he's saying that right >> there. There's no doubt that it's changed him and I can tell you that experience in MDC where hundreds of people in our community has served time
[5:08:32]is unlike any experience in a minimum security camp or a low security prison. Right? It is different and that year should count for something. I think to Adante's point, it is hard to be in
[5:08:43]prison. It is harder to be in that facility. Most people would say I'd rather endure two and a half years in a minimum security camp 3 years than one year at MDC. I think that accounts for something to the comments about
[5:08:54]children. I'm hopeful that the judge does look at the collateral consequences that that follow for his life because whether he gets 70 months, 87 months, or 14 months, or the 11 years, this is a
[5:09:06]lifelong stain that he needs to work to overcome. Indeed, for his children, too. So, I'm hopeful because I don't think justice is served if he gets 70, 80, 7 months, or 11 years. I think we send
[5:09:16]people to prison for far too long. I'm of the opinion there is certainly a consequence here. He's enduring it. He could be an asset to the community. So I don't think it should be measured in the the length of the sentence, but what can
[5:09:27]he contribute moving forward? These there are collateral consequences for the children and I think the video and these letters can be impactful and that's what good mitigation should do.
[5:09:37]address all of these collateral consequences because even if he walks out of there today, there's more trouble ahead for him and that's why success for him would be getting that 70 months in
[5:09:48]lie of the 87 I think the 11 years is too long of a request that could perhaps turn out to hurt him. We saw a couple of days ago Charlie Javvis was sentenced.
[5:09:59]The government asked for, you know, 12 months in the Frank JP 12 years in the Frank JP Morgan scam. Her lawyers asked for 18 months. The judge gave 85 months. Sometimes too long of an ask. Too much
[5:10:10]of an overreach could actually work to the defendant's benefit. We'll we'll see. I guess got to express the consequences. >> By the way, we have questions coming in. Please submit your questions right now.
[5:10:20]Uh we're going to be live basically all day until this sentencing is wrapped up. So, if you have questions about the case, the sentencing, please shoot them in. Uh, this is from Sydney Ston. Adante, I'll throw this to you. Uh, just for comparison purposes, what would the
[5:10:32]max sentence be for these charges? What would the maximum sentence be for these charges in New York state court versus federal court? And can that be taken
[5:10:42]into consideration for sentencing? I mean, I'll preempt it and say I don't think that there's a transportation to engage in prostitution charge in New York, per se, but you tell me.
[5:10:53]Yeah, I don't know uh whether there's a corresponding state court charge because the man act is about transporting people across state lines,
[5:11:04]>> okay, into different states versus if it was a New Yorkbased state court uh or state law-based charge. It would be about transportation transporting people for prostitution within the state of New
[5:11:15]York, I would think. So, uh I'm not sure what that is. I can tell you that, you know, under these charges, I believe it's 20 years, 10 years a piece for each charge if they were if he were uh
[5:11:26]sentenced uh to consecutive sentences. So, you know, uh, he's facing a ton of time. And there's a lot of people out there who think about 10 years, a decade, potentially two decades of
[5:11:37]someone's life for, if you look at just the four corners of the charge, paying money, and then you look at the facts around that particular charge, paying
[5:11:47]money for other people to cross state lines to have sex and essentially be a voyer. Uh, you know, I I I'm of the I'm of the the persuasion, if you will,
[5:11:57]that, you know, that's that's a that's a heavy price to pay uh for that particular conduct. However, there are just as many people out there who consider everything he did reprehensible, despicable, and that he's
[5:12:09]earned every minute and hour of his potential uh charge. But uh from my perspective, having been in a courtroom and see people charged uh sentenced for
[5:12:19]a lot less time for what I think are much more serious or much more violent crimes uh and even less violent crimes. You know, I think all bets are off, but I'm happy to see that we're not, in my
[5:12:30]opinion, looking at 11 years for this particular charge. >> So, by the way, I'm giving everybody updates about what's happening in court. The afternoon session is back. The judge is back. Shawn Combmes is back.
[5:12:40]Apparently, he blew uh he did a prayer gesture, blew a kiss toward his mother, Janice Combmes. It looks like we're going to hear more from the defense. Um, by the way, Rich, you go to letters that the prosecution has submitted. Deontay
[5:12:51]Nash, who was this stylist who testified for the prosecution, um, he in his letter, true change cannot exist without acknowledging the harm one has caused, claiming to have changed while
[5:13:01]continuing to defend the very behavior that led to incarceration is not accountability. Uh, it is avoidance. Mr. Combmes repeatedly shifts between denying responsibility, seeking
[5:13:12]sympathy, and reshaping the narrative to suit his immediate needs. Real transformation is consistent, honest, and uncomfortable. It does not depend on who is watching or what outcome is desired until he confronts his actions
[5:13:23]as wrong and takes full responsibility. Any claim of change is hollow. He goes on to say, "Judge, this is not a good man." You know what's interesting about that um is earlier today Judge
[5:13:33]Subbermanian made the comment that it appears that Shawn Combmes is not really denying what he did or not accepting responsibility for what he did the transportation to engage in
[5:13:44]prostitution. I wonder if the judge is going to be persuaded by a letter like this. Yeah, let's talk about that. Let's go back to the theme I was talking about about remorse, regret, and
[5:13:56]rehabilitation. And this goes to remorse and regret. So Shawn Combmes has repeatedly taken responsibility for the one videotaped act of violence against
[5:14:08]Cassie, which he sort of had to because it's captured on video and it's horrific. And he has taken responsibility. He has apologized for that. And he apologizes for it in the
[5:14:18]letter. And in the letter to the judge, he sort of vaguely takes responsibility and he says he'll never commit another crime, but he doesn't specifically take
[5:14:30]responsibility. Now juxtapose that with his courtroom strategy which was as the judge said a
[5:14:40]fullthroated defense against the charges he was ultimately convicted of arguing today that the victims aren't really
[5:14:50]victims of this account of these crimes and shouldn't be allowed to speak. And it's hard to reconcile someone who says, "I'm remorseful and regretful with a
[5:15:01]legal posture that says he didn't commit these crimes and there weren't any victims." And I think the judge is struggling with that a little bit.
[5:15:10]Anybody can on the eve of sentencing say, "I'm sorry and I've changed." So the question is, are they really sorry
[5:15:20]and have they really changed or is that just performative? And there's at least some concern in this case that is performative. >> By the way, we have an update in court.
[5:15:32]They're uh their back. Right. So, judge has asked Mr. Steel. Judge has said, "Mr. Steel, uh Brian Steel has said, "I am honored to practice in this majestic courthouse. I sit here with tears in my
[5:15:42]eyes. I can't believe we're here. Shawn has impacted America in such a positive way." Sierra Gillespie, you're outside that courthouse. Uh you've been providing updates about what you're seeing, what you're hearing. Aside from
[5:15:54]the fact that Dr. Hendris, who we had on earlier, actually paid you a visit in downtown court, um what are you seeing? Has the has the feeling changed outside the courtroom as we're coming now to the
[5:16:05]second half of the day? >> Yeah, it was so cool first of all to see Dr. D. Wayne Hendris because as you know, Jesse, most of our guests we know virtually. So all the guests we have on
[5:16:16]today, I know them, but I've never met them in real life. So that was cool to have him in studio and here. And I guess it's kind of a symbol of what we've been seeing, right? More people have been
[5:16:26]coming here as the day stretches on. And that's kind of what we said at the start of the day, right? We don't know how long this could go. It could be really quick. It could be long. And now, as the day is going farther and farther along,
[5:16:37]it seems like it's a lengthier sentencing. More people are coming. More people are interested. And that's kind of something that we've seen. The crowd is getting bigger behind me, almost as if we're on the precipice of something
[5:16:49]happening. People are cheering actually right now just for a moment um right behind me. So I know that people are following along with what's happening and I think it's interesting that we've
[5:16:59]seen so many speakers in the way of the defense. It's almost as if people are getting antsy wanting to know what's going to happen. Is this being dragged out for some reason or will we have a
[5:17:09]ruling pretty soon? I mean that's just kind of the vibe as I'm seeing it right now. So, one thing I want to ask you, uh, Sierra, I mean, we put up a poll. It says, "What outcome would surprise you
[5:17:21]the most today?" 50% say no jail time. I think that's pretty accurate. Um, 43% the max sentence, 20 years. Uh, did he
[5:17:30]speaking emotionally in court? 7%. We get this question from Young T um from the UK. They have lots of people who've been convicted convinced of or convicted of this crime and are first-time
[5:17:40]offenders who face so much time in prison or any prison time at all. I think there's a question here about the seriousness of these charges and what is a potential sentence here when we're talking about transportation to engage
[5:17:52]in prostitution when it's not coupled with a conviction for racketeering or not coupled with a conviction for sex trafficking. What what can you tell us about this?
[5:18:03]As far as the maximum sentence that P Diddy could face, he could spend 20 years behind bars because he has two convictions on transportation to engage in prostitution and the maximum
[5:18:14]sentences there is 10 years per. So, you know, 10 + 10 is 20. So, the tops is 20 here. I'm not expecting to see that. It sounds like via our poll, a lot of our
[5:18:25]viewers aren't either. And I know a lot of our guests that we've been talking to today don't tend to think, especially with this being an initial conviction for P. Diddy that he will actually spend the 20 years behind bars. Now, the
[5:18:36]prosecution is hoping for around 11. That's what they were asking for. The defense, they were hoping for around 14 months, which theoretically based on time served, he could be released very
[5:18:48]shortly. I mean, we heard from the government today that P. Diddy allegedly already has a speaking engagement set up for next week. So, it does seem that the defense is putting their eggs in that basket that yeah, maybe he really will
[5:18:59]get out. It sounds like uh the other recommendation is around 5 to seven years. And I know I've heard from a lot of our guests today who believe that's likely the sentence that he will receive
[5:19:10]and that's something that I'm thinking too. Probably within the 5 to7 range would be my guess, but I mean the max he truly could face could be 20.
[5:19:20]>> Yeah. Um that's interesting. And by the way, we have an update from court. Brian Steel says, "The jury has spoken. We have been convicted of two counts of the man act. Shawn's father was killed when he was three. He was raised in Harlem in
[5:19:32]the 1970s. It was different. His mother had three jobs, moved them to Mount Vernon. A lot of the statements from the attorneys today have been talking about his life, talking about his career, talking about the work that he has done.
[5:19:44]Uh Justin Pernie, I'll go back to you >> on a lot of this as we're listening to this. Um, what's interesting about this is, you know, I'm sure it's important for the judge to understand the
[5:19:55]circumstances of the defendant's life and talk about what impact he could have outside of prison. Do you think that there has been situations during the course of the the the filings leading up
[5:20:05]to sentencing and comments that have been made today where it seems there's a lack of appreciation for what he was convicted of? I mean, Sierra reported about it, too. We talked about it
[5:20:14]earlier. He what? Booked dates to appear in Miami next week. That would signify that he thought he was going to get time served and get out today. So, I have
[5:20:26]several thoughts. I'm not sure if that I'm not a 100% buyer on this event in Miami. I don't know who could have organized that because even if he got sentenced today to time served, he's
[5:20:36]still going to be on some form of supervision. And as a guy that's been on supervision, I know you have to report to a probation officer who's going to approve work, travel, certainly a speaking event. So, I'm not a 100% buyer
[5:20:47]or it was a mistake. If that's true, let me put that out there. Look, his lawyer, who I know is doing what he's supposed to do, asking the judge to take the totality of his life into consideration
[5:20:59]to Ad's point earlier, let's acknowledge there are people who have endured great trauma and loss of parents who did not go on to break the law. And certainly, that's what you could expect the
[5:21:09]prosecution and judge to consider. The win could be the judge considers it enough to sentence to sentence on the lower end. I am convinced the only reason he gets the shortest sentence
[5:21:20]possible is if the judge is a believer in buyer and the work that he's begun to do over the last year of helping other people in a measurable documented way and if he's convinced despite this
[5:21:30]letter from Cassie which is devastating to read if this judge is convinced he will never return to another courtroom and in my experience judges tend to depart in part if they are convinced
[5:21:39]this defendant won't return and time will tell. I'm only concerned with what he does. That that is what moves me most. And I'm hopeful the judge
[5:21:50]considers as much of it as possible at at the sentencing when he gets sentenced today. >> Yeah. I'm reading a little bit of this letter from Cassie Ventura. Adante. During my time with Combmes, I was at a
[5:22:02]constant state of hyper vigilance as I always anticipating demands for sex acts, otherwise fearing retribution for any perceived slight. My descent into substance abuse was directly correlated
[5:22:12]with the increased control over my body. Spent the last seven years of my life slowly rebuilding myself physically getting clean from the drug abuse Shawn Combmes forced and encourage and mentally understanding how to live with
[5:22:22]a seemingly insurmountable level of trauma. I still have nightmares and flashbacks on a regular everyday basis and continue to require psychological care to cope with my past. His defense
[5:22:33]attorneys claimed he's a changed man and he wants to mentor abusers. I know firsthand what real mentorship look means and this disgusts me. Um I hope that your decision considers the many
[5:22:44]lives that Shawn Combmes has abandoned with his abuse and control. Does a uh does a court does a judge weigh the statement of a victim um heavy more he
[5:22:55]in a greater sense than other statements? You would hope that the judge is weighing all statements and and placing the appropriate amount of gravitas or
[5:23:06]weight on those statements based upon credibility, the evidence, and in the context of the charges as well as the person who's he's potentially being sentenced. So, I think her words, you know, certainly carry a lot of weight.
[5:23:18]She was essentially the government star witness and testified in front of the judge. So he's able to judge her and her words and and on his own basis, you know, from having watched her testify on
[5:23:29]the stand and go through, I believe it was four days of testimony and being cross-examined, too. So, uh, I hear her words, you know, it's clear there was a very strong words, a lot of passion, a
[5:23:40]lot of pain in those words. and Sean Combmes has acknowledged, you know, what uh his conduct may have caused for her and paid for it with now a conviction as
[5:23:50]well as in a civil case a lot of money. Uh obviously, given the judge's uh comments and remarks earlier, that's not enough to foot the bill. So, there appears that there's going to be some
[5:24:01]more additional prison time that Shawn Combmes is going to owe to society before he can get on with his life. Uh Dante, I know we have to sign you off in a little bit. So I just want to I want to ask you one more question. This is a
[5:24:13]super chat question from Bravado Agency. Thank you so much, Bravado Agency. Really, really appreciate it. This is your second super chat question, I believe. Many celebrity cases, Dante. Many celebrity cases in recent years,
[5:24:24]Weinstein, Cosby, R. Kelly. Is it important to judges to handle these more carefully or is it just another case? That's a good question.
[5:24:35]Well, you know, justice, they say Lady Justice is supposed to be blind, but if you've gone through the criminal justice system or been a part in any way, you know, that's far from the truth. So, I think celebrities cases do get some
[5:24:46]special handling in in some ways that are positive and some ways that are negative. Positive in the sense that judges know that they're well healed. They have attorneys who are looking at everything like a hawk and ready to
[5:24:57]appeal or challenge any decision that they think is unfair or not based in the law as they see it. the same side on the flip side I should say judges are where the public is looking and so if a judge
[5:25:08]is to give a slap on the wrist to a celebrity there could be a lot more social criticism and critique about uh the judge's decision and so the judge is in a in a position where he knows the
[5:25:19]public is looking and he's also in a position where he knows the defense attorneys are also looking so I think uh celebrity cases on balance do get some special consideration at the same time
[5:25:29]when you run a foul of the law in this way and there is a uh media uh heightened media attention around the case puts a judge in a position where they don't have as much wiggle room as
[5:25:40]they otherwise might have in other people's cases. >> Dante Pointer, thank you so much for coming on. Appreciate it. >> Appreciate it, guys. Take well. >> All right. So, so Rich, let me go to you
[5:25:51]on something here. Uh we're getting updates from court. What Brian Steele, one of Shawn Colb's defense attorneys has been saying to the court says, "I've been there. I I have been there when Shawn has prayed for healing for anyone
[5:26:02]he has heard. It is now 12 months and 17 days in the MDC. There are certain people who gain prestige if they hurt him. The guard stopped a man with a shank. He eats out of bags, chips. So
[5:26:14]really talking about the dire consequences he's in uh at the MDC. But this part's interesting to me. It's something he said before. Please consider the following two reasons I
[5:26:23]believe we're here. Untreated trauma, great trauma in Shawn's life. and a ferocious drug addiction that got out of hand. I don't want to say that they're
[5:26:34]excusing what he was convicted of, but is that trying to provide an explanation that may not work to their benefit? >> Yeah, I could see that. I mean, I I
[5:26:45]don't think it's a bad idea to remind the judge the whole story of Shawn Combmes.
[5:26:55]um that what he came from and what he accomplished and that independent of all of these things that bring him to trial, he has done some genuine
[5:27:06]great acts for people uh that that have documented in some of the things we've seen in the past few days. He really has done some things in the public interest.
[5:27:17]He is the product of a troubled home uh including the death of his father and he very clearly has been a drug addict. Now drug and alcohol addiction does not
[5:27:28]generally get you a reduced sentence. There are situations in the criminal justice system where you might get
[5:27:36]sentenced to a drug or alcohol program in response to some crime you committed like drunk driving. But this isn't that situation. This is sustained criminal
[5:27:48]conduct over a period of time that was in part affected by the drug consumption and it it offers some explanation, but
[5:27:58]it's not an excuse. It doesn't get him off the hook. It doesn't get him out of jail. But I don't I don't think it's a problem uh having some some sort of
[5:28:09]context. I I do find it interesting. Brian Steel was the most recent member of Diddy's very extensive,
[5:28:18]very excellent legal team. And him taking personal ownership of how he knows Diddy and how he's come to known
[5:28:27]it, I think that's a tough cell when he's really only known him in the latter stages of this case myself. >> That's that's a fair >> I have some thoughts on the drug on the drugs if I can.
[5:28:38]>> Yes, Justin. Okay. So, the probation report is very important. You see how much this judge has referenced the probation report, the guidelines. So, it is essential to have an accurate
[5:28:48]probation report, especially if he goes to prison. I've been to prison and they'll say the PSR is the Bible in prison. So, any history of substance abuse or alcohol trauma needs to be reflected in that report. Also, in the
[5:29:00]federal prison system, there is a program called the residential drug abuse program where if you are eligible, and I'm not sure if his crime makes him eligible, if you complete the program, you can get 12 full months off of your
[5:29:11]sentence. And part of the reason you get that reduction is because if you are less inclined to drink or do drugs, you're less likely to recidivate. So, it can certainly be a mitigating factor. In
[5:29:23]my experience, if he says, "I was once an addict. I no longer am." that could help convey this judge, okay, he could be less likely to reaffend if he is no longer going to engage in this conduct. And certainly a super probation officer
[5:29:34]will help ensure through drug testing and visits that he's no longer doing there'll be restrictions whatever the sentence is. So it's essential that it be on the record and it's even better for him to say in this environment where
[5:29:46]at MDC where there are drugs, there are alcohol, there is no doubt that I have avoided that conduct and I'm healthy and I'm getting healthier every single day. I believe it to be a mitigating factor. >> Now, uh, Sierra, I'm going to get to you
[5:29:58]in a minute. I I just want to let everybody know we have an update from court. Brian Still says he lives with 25 people in one room. This is very similar to what Sean Colmes had said in his letter. Uh, there's a TV area, a supposed bed. There are drugs there. He
[5:30:09]has not taken drugs. There is violence. The water is polluted. You have to boil it. There are screams day and night. Um, super chat question for you, Rich. Uh,
[5:30:20]this is from Andre Andre King King or Andrech King, sorry, I apologize. Uh, thank you so much for the super chat question. Is the judge or will the judge
[5:30:29]take into consideration Cassie was paid $30 million? >> I I think the judge could on the limited issue of assessing what Cassie had to
[5:30:41]say about this and and also remember Cassie is a victim. I think she is a technically a victim of the man act violations but really correct but
[5:30:52]>> but really she's more of a victim of the counts for which he was found not guilty right she was a victim of of the sex
[5:31:01]trafficking count and of the RICO count. So he may have to discount it on that basis a little bit. he may have to discount it if there were if the judge
[5:31:11]had any credibility issues, including the fact that she was compensated in a civil settlement for this. Um, and by the way,
[5:31:23]as as I understand it, you know, the prosecutors got interested after they saw that civil settlement. It's not like she said, "No, I don't want the money. I
[5:31:35]want to go to the authorities and have them prosecute this case. So, the judge could take those circumstances into consideration, but only on that limited
[5:31:44]issue of how meaningful is her statement. Um, Sierra, I want to go to you. We we have a poll that we put up where it says, "What are you paying most
[5:31:53]attention to in this case?" 80% say the sentencing itself, 10% say diddy, 7% say victim's voices, 3% public reaction. I
[5:32:05]think that's a good encompasses so many different things, but what are you most paying attention to in this case? >> I >> I mean I think that makes sense though, right? The reason I mean we're all
[5:32:16]paying attention to the sentencing, right? I mean that's why we're all here. the culmination in everything that we've been following from the start. The fact that Cassie filed her lawsuit initially,
[5:32:27]the first one that I always go back to and say was the bombshell, you know, really broke the floodgates. We all have been paying attention really since then. Then of course the federal raids of
[5:32:38]Diddy's home that I believe was March 2024, September 2024. Now we finally have a couple of the charges come down. So that poll to me makes sense because this is the resolution, right? If we're
[5:32:48]going back to, I guess, high school when we have intro to conflict, rising action, climax, now we're heading to the falling action and the solution, which would be the sentence here. And I think that's why everyone's on the edge of
[5:32:59]their seats, has been watching, thousands of people have been watching our live stream since this morning when we started at around 10:00 because we all want to know the answer to the question. What is Diddy going to face as
[5:33:10]far as the sentence? Where is he going to go? What is it going to look like? And I guess, you know, I'm so eager to talk about it because I want to know, too. I >> I think we all do. And when is it going
[5:33:20]to happen is another question. Um because we just don't know. That's one of the unknowns for today. And and by the way, talking about unknowns, going to you Justin. Um what is life if if let
[5:33:31]me ask you this. If Shawn Combmes is sentenced to significant prison time in a federal facility, as we talked about earlier, it may not even be in New York. It may be in a place that is near where
[5:33:42]he could be released to another state. What does life look like for him in federal prison? >> Well, first off, regardless of the sentence today, it's a good day in some
[5:33:54]ways for the family because you get clarity. It's very difficult waiting and wondering for that number. So, regardless, he gets some clarity. Now, he also has this perspective of spending
[5:34:05]so much time in in detention, right? My partner endured it for one full year. Then he went to the penitentiary in Atlanta. And despite, you know, the gun towers and the razor coil, he felt free
[5:34:15]because he was out of detention type setting. So, it will be much easier even if the sentence is longer once he gets to a low security prison where there
[5:34:25]might be fences in in barbed wire, but you're free to roam. You can go to the track, you can go to recreation, uh free to walk to the chow hall every single morning. It will be a dorm type setting.
[5:34:35]Uh you can visit with your family. no partition separating you. It's kind of like visiting in an airport, right? You're around people that you don't know. You have some semblance of privacy. So, it will be a much easier
[5:34:46]environment inside of a low security prison compared to what he's enduring right now. If he goes there, he will form a routine. He will work. He will visit. He will call home. He will most
[5:34:56]likely have access to email. If not initially, it will come. and he will have ample opportunity outside of programming like hours a day to continue to develop this program he has told the
[5:35:07]court he is developing because if he is inside of this prison I think you know what he wants Jesse he wants to get out of there as quickly as possible the question is how do you do that you demonstrate to a case manager that
[5:35:18]you're a candidate to go directly to home confinement he needs to stand out he may need some more liberty down the road from this judge he's only going to get that if he has a record that shows why so it can be a very productive
[5:35:30]experience experience for him much easier than MDC. That much I know. >> Rich, just to be clear, because the judge denied him bail, because the judge denied his motion to throw out the
[5:35:40]convictions recently, does is that a preview of where the judge may lie when it comes to Shawn Combmes that he may throw the book at him, so to speak?
[5:35:50]>> Well, I don't know that one necessarily means the other. Now, obviously, uh, denying his motion to throw out the conviction is a big deal. That means the
[5:36:00]conviction stands and he has to get some punishment. I would say the fact that he denied bail was indicative to me that he was going to remain in jail, that the
[5:36:11]judge thought that Shawn Combmes would be remaining in jail for some period after the sentencing. So that did suggest that to me, but it's not necessarily true and it doesn't
[5:36:23]necessarily mean a long sentence. It just means probably a sentence. Sierra, as we're looking at this, you read the letter from Shawn Combmes. We
[5:36:33]played his apology video earlier on. You looked at the compilation video that was put forward. We're all anticipating what Shawn Combmes will say in court.
[5:36:44]Obviously, he said a few things during the course of this trial here and there, but this will be his first potentially uninterrupted message to the court aside from his letter. What are you going to
[5:36:54]be looking out for, Sierra? >> I think it's going to be emotion, right? That's something we all are interested in and we've already seen that today. We heard Elizabeth Milner's reports. We've
[5:37:06]been reading the tweets today. Even Diddy's attorney, Nicole Wes Morland, was showing emotion. She got choked up and she was crying. I mean, this is something I could expect from his children, which we did see because it's
[5:37:17]their dad and they want their dad in their lives free, you know, not behind bars. So, with Diddy, I can kind of imagine this is one of the most intense days of literally his entire life. The
[5:37:29]fact that he has been behind bars at MDC Brooklyn for more than a year at this point, and it's possible he could be getting out kind of soon. And I mean, this is Diddy's chance to really have
[5:37:40]the floor. We saw the apology video kind of a while ago. He's pretty, you know, stern and straightfaced, but as you have pointed out time and time again, Jesse, after that apology video, he then went
[5:37:51]on to commit more of these alleged, you know, offenses. So, it's interesting to have seen that and then prosecutors say, "Okay, but after that, he went to commit more crimes." What I'm thinking we're
[5:38:03]going to hear from P. Diddy is a lot of remorse. I think we're going to hear from him, I've changed a lot. here are the reasons why. Here is why I deserve a lesser sentence. Here is how I'm going
[5:38:14]to change. And I really do think it's going to be pretty emotional for him. Because I've said this before, P. Diddy is a pretty charismatic guy. He's very charming. I mean, there's a reason that so many people were in his orbit.
[5:38:26]Whether that's good or bad, I mean, make your own judgments. I do think that he has kind of an electric personality, and I think he's not afraid of an audience either. So, he's going to use this time,
[5:38:36]take the floor, tell it all. and honestly maybe get a bit emotional too. >> Yeah. And I also as I'm looking at this update from court, Brian Still says some in the media, not all, who have written
[5:38:47]that Shawn is an outcast, a leper. That is not true. He has done things I would only dream of doing. There was a man released to his home, Charles Scrugs. He can speak. He's by the phone now. So,
[5:38:58]we'll see where that goes. But, you know, I go to you, uh, Justin, on this. Do you believe based on what you're seeing and hearing, oh, by the way, one more thing, one more update. Brian Steel
[5:39:08]says October 6 is not a speaking engagement. Ah, so referring to the Miami thing, October 6 is not a speaking engagement. It is that people realize he is different. He can speak about drugs, about putting your hands on a woman. He
[5:39:20]can change people's lives. It's not a speaking engagement. It is a healing. So again, that Miami event is not a speaking engagement like he's ready to go on the town and speak and thought he was going to be released. Do do you
[5:39:29]think that it's being it's credible that if he's released he will be a force for good that he will help people on the outside? Uh you tell me.
[5:39:40]>> I I I I do I think the letters from his family and his level of introspection while on the inside forces him to see this differently. And I do think regardless of the sentence, he
[5:39:51]recognizes this can be a lifelong stain for his family, his young children, or it can be an opportunity for him to say, "I made bad decisions. I was held
[5:40:01]accountable and as a result of this experience through the system. I want to continue to build in Xiao. I'm part of the solution." It's why I started from a difficult environment in MDC where I
[5:40:12]read his lawyer argue that he was nearly shanked and killed in prison. Despite getting nearly shanked and killed, he's building and contributing. So, I suspect he will continue to do this work,
[5:40:22]whatever the sentence is, not just as a strategy to maybe get out of prison earlier or have more liberty on the other side, but because his his children are watching and they shouldn't pay the
[5:40:32]price forever because of some bad choices from their father. So, I think he truly gets what's happening and I think he's used his time in prison to begin building, but he'll be building for the rest of his life.
[5:40:44]>> Rich, um, update from court. Brian Steel says Shawn doesn't care about the money. He wants to go home to his family. I don't know who among us would trade places with Shawn Combmes. As we're
[5:40:55]listening to this and we're hearing different sides because the prosecution came out earlier and talked about the aggravating circumstances of these crimes, what makes it so egregious, focusing not just on transporting
[5:41:06]people, but the violence of it. The judge is weighing all this. You wonder what the judge is going to say. You wonder what the judge is going to rule. What do you think a sentence would look
[5:41:17]like here? >> You mean what what do I what am I predicting here? >> Yes. >> Uh well, I I think like most people, I
[5:41:28]think it's going to be in that 70 to 87 month region because that has been uh recommended uh in the in the
[5:41:39]pre-sentence report. Um, the judge has already acknowledged that that seemed to be the appropriate range because that's in the middle of what the defense is seeking and what the prosecution is
[5:41:50]asking because that seems like a serious sentence. Um, but not too serious. And you do have to take into account that
[5:42:00]this case by the government was an effort to put Shawn Combmes in prison for the rest of his life on some very serious charges. And on the most serious
[5:42:10]charges in this case, the government lost. The prosecution found him not guilty of racketeering. The tri pro the jury found him not guilty of
[5:42:19]trafficking. And I think the judge has to consider that and can't impose a ginormous sentence on him in in
[5:42:29]substitute for the counts in which the defendant prevailed. I don't think that would be one other comment I'll make just on something you just said, Jesse. You know, I don't know.
[5:42:40]I think there might be a lot of people who would do five years in prison if they came out with Shan Comb's money and power and fame. I actually think that
[5:42:52]line would be pretty long. So, it is a significant sentence if that's what it is. But he he still is in he still is in
[5:43:03]running to have the life he has or something akin to it. >> Yeah, that's an interesting point. I mean, again, that was Justin. That's what Brian Steel said. He he's passionately advocating uh for his
[5:43:14]client. Even saying just now, you know, some of the media have called Shawn a disgrace, an outcast, like a leper. These people are wrong. I know Shawn personally. He's a great man who's being sentenced, but he still has done things
[5:43:25]that I would dream of doing. um he's punished himself more than anyone will ever be able to punish him. It will stay with him for the rest of his days. He's off the drugs. He's a different person. The drugs affected his thinking. Is he
[5:43:36]pushing too much in a way where again does it look will it appear to the court like they're disregarding what he was convicted of and what he was accused of
[5:43:46]and what the evidence presented at trial? Certainly, you could argue there could be a little more focus on the victims and the the impact and the impact on
[5:43:57]their life. It's an interesting dynamic because he's essentially saying, "I accept responsibility while still maintaining the right to an appeal." And the judge commented on that. Arguably, probably maybe get a shorter sentence
[5:44:08]than even the guidelines if he said, "I'm not appealing, seeking a new trial or an acquitt. I'm just all in. I made bad decisions, your honor. I am fully responsible." That certainly could have moved the needle. This lawyer is doing
[5:44:19]well what lawyers are paid to do. They're paid to focus on the virtues of their client, mitigating factors. The only thing that's helping Mr. Steele make this argument is that I believe
[5:44:31]Shawn Combmes has actually begun with evidence be he's begun to do some of this work while in a very difficult setting. If Shawn Combmes had not done any of this teaching, mentoring of other
[5:44:40]prisoners, avoiding problems, but more so showing that he he can help people there, these arguments would really fall on deaf ears. It would be uh very very bad. I went to a sentencing hearing
[5:44:51]recently and the judge opened up and said, you know, there's very little evidence to support these claims that you're making about, you know, your client. You're saying it. I don't see it. There's something here that's making
[5:45:01]Mr. Steel's job measurably easier, but it's his job to focus also on the consequences that Combmes is enduring. And this is a different type of crime. Uh, white collar advice was very involved in that Varsity Blues case
[5:45:13]years ago where all these parents paid to get their kids into school. That was a bad thing. But that was a white collar crime with sentences from two months, three months, five months. A different stigma than this crime, which is more
[5:45:24]the reason more than ever. He's got to demonstrate what he's learned, why this will never happen again, and how through my platform, I'm going to influence millions of people moving forward. This
[5:45:34]is as much about his children, their legacy, how it will impact them as it wi as as it is his. Because even if he gets 87 months with good time, time served, it's not a life sentence, but it could
[5:45:45]be for his children if he doesn't continue to embrace the right message. Mhm. Um, so Sierra got a question from Becky Bilada. Uh, how many people are
[5:45:56]allowed to speak on his behalf before Diddy speaks? >> This is an interesting question. Actually, Elizabeth Milner, when she was out here before, her and I were talking
[5:46:06]about this and we were like, we both have worked at law and crime for multiple years. We have never seen a sentencing like this. Usually, we've got the prosecution, one person, defense, one person, you know, maybe some victim
[5:46:17]impact statements, and there you have it. However, Elizabeth and I were both commenting saying, "We haven't seen something like this." There's so many people that just keep coming and coming and coming. So, honestly, it's out of
[5:46:28]the norm from something that I've seen. To be fair, I do usually cover state cases versus federal. And I believe it was a Dante earlier who said it does take a bit more time when we're talking about a federal sentencing rather than
[5:46:39]state. And I know that Diddy's team is going to want to make sure that they're putting forth the best argument possible. I don't think there's any sort of specific number, a limit. I do believe the judge could say something if
[5:46:51]it gets to be too crazy long, but at this point, I'm just kind of waiting to see what Diddy himself has to say because, you know, he's going to want to speak. >> And and and you know, look, Brian Still
[5:47:02]is still raising some of the defenses that the defense put forward in their filings leading up to this. This was a voluntary sexual encounter consented to by adults. I agree with Miss Shapiro.
[5:47:14]This is issue preclusion, double jeopardy, a due process violation. Um Rich, it seems that they're echoing some of the statements and arguments they made why the conviction should have been
[5:47:26]thrown out. Um ultimately that was denied. Um maybe they're also he seems to be echoing some of the concerns they have about what evidence is being considered by the judge in sentencing.
[5:47:37]Is it a little too little too late? Should they be arguing this? Is this for the record for purposes of appeal? Is this mine? Sorry. >> This is your This is Yeah, this is you,
[5:47:48]Rich. This is you, Rich. Sorry. A lot of action. >> So, okay. So, what I don't think they want to do is argue to the judge that there's any problem with the conviction. That's for appeal. You don't want to do
[5:47:59]that at sentencing. That's not your argument. The conviction's wrong. I shouldn't have been convicted. I didn't do it. Those are bad arguments at sentencing and will irritate a judge in
[5:48:11]the wrong direction. Now, some of the argument is about what can you consider in light of the counts that were that he
[5:48:22]was acquitted on. And I think that's perfectly appropriate for the defense to bring into this discussion to make sure the judge is staying focused within the
[5:48:32]guard rails of of looking at the counts that we have a conviction on and not going astray. But they don't want to challenge right now the fact that he was
[5:48:42]convicted. They can do that later in the second circuit. >> Yeah. Particularly since I will tell you uh the judge was keen today to say, "Hey, there are victims here. There are victims of this crime. You know, it's
[5:48:54]not just uh Jane and Cassie, but also the men who were transported as well." Quick final thought uh from Justin Pernie here. Um I'm going to read you a
[5:49:04]poll, Justin. Uh this is interesting. Does Diddy's apology matter at this point? 45% say no, it's too late. 29%
[5:49:13]say doesn't matter. 14% say yeah, it shows growth. And 12% say maybe if it's genuine. Your thoughts. >> Years ago, a few months ago at a
[5:49:24]conference, I met a judge and I asked her how impactful a sentencing statement is and she said, "It can be impactful, but often times I don't see enough evidence from the defendant. can be a
[5:49:34]nice statement, eloquent, but if there isn't evidence behind it, it doesn't have the oomph. So, his statement will be the most important thing that happens today from the defense side and it will
[5:49:45]be impactful because he does have some record from the inside to show that he is different from the government's version of events. He is learning. He is focused on his family, his health, his rehabilitation. He wants to be part of
[5:49:56]the solution. So, I believe his statement will matter because he has a body of work that he could rely on since he's been in prison for the last year. If he didn't do that work, this statement would be utterly useless and something judges are too used to
[5:50:07]hearing. >> Justin Pernie, Rich Showenstein, gentlemen, thank you so much for joining me for two hours. Really appreciate it. Um, Sierra Gillespie is going to stay with me. We have other guests coming on
[5:50:17]as we continue our live coverage of the Shaun Diddy Combmes sentencing. We'll be right back. Oh, okay.
[5:51:33]That's what we >> It could be more.
[5:51:54]It could be worse, man. [Music]
[5:52:45]What do you think? Those people, by the way,
[5:53:59]Senior back.
[5:54:26]>> Huh? over there.
[5:54:44]>> Yeah, I'm going over there. >> Take care, man.
[5:55:16]Almost there. [Music]
[5:56:06][Music] Everyone's trying
[5:57:03]back. It's called the war patrician.
[6:04:14]Heat. Heat. [Music]
[6:06:48]And welcome back to our live coverage here on Law and Crime of Shaun Diddy Combmes sentencing hearing. I told you that this may last a while. We are in hour six right now of our live coverage
[6:07:00]and this has been a complete day where the judge is taking into consideration a lot of different statements, a lot of different evidence, a lot of different arguments to determine what should be the sentence for Shawn Combmes after he
[6:07:12]was convicted of transportation to engage in prostitution during his trial over the summer. essentially that he transported people across state and international lines for the purposes of
[6:07:22]sex work. The jur the defense had asked for 14 months. So essentially after spending what 13 months in the MDC, he would almost be released immediately. The prosecution has asked for 11 years
[6:07:34]in prison. The judge has said that he at the beginning of the day that he doesn't see a reason to deviate from the 5 to sevenyear range. Although he's heard a lot today. He's heard from Shawn
[6:07:44]Combmes's children. He has heard from Shawn Combmes's defense attorneys. He's also heard from prosecutors. But I will just before we even dive back into this conversation and we're taking your
[6:07:53]questions as well. Um so shoot them over. Interesting moment from Brian Steel. So one of Shawn Combmes's uh defense attorneys. Uh we asked Shawn to be able to have a 14-month sentence. He
[6:08:05]has taken full accountability. He's not using drug addiction as a crutch. He is saying he wants to repair. He will never be a danger. He is a civil rights
[6:08:13]leader. his good outweighs his bad by far, that he would go to Miami and seek immediate therapy should he be released.
[6:08:23]And right now, uh, or a little while ago, Shawn Combmes, a reverend, has come forward and spoken on his behalf, who says, "I'll be personally responsible
[6:08:33]for seeing him rehabilitated." I close with this. As Michael Jordan said, "These sneakers are just sneakers, but but when my son puts them on, Shawn needs an opportunity." You have been
[6:08:45]very honorable in this court. Uh Brian Steel says, "We'll have Xavier Donaldson." So Xavier Donaldson's is another defense attorney for Shawn Combmes. Um it's been a long day, but I
[6:08:56]think it's been worth it. I want the record to be clear that Mr. Combmes is not a pimp. So now we're hearing from Xavier Donaldson. Uh, I want to bring back in uh my new panelists. I'm joined
[6:09:06]by Serena Townsen, criminal defense attorney. Joined once again by Joe Richardson, civil rights attorney, and I'm joined once again by Sierra Gillespie, uh, who is outside that courthouse, our eyes and ears about what's happening there. Uh, I want to go
[6:09:18]to a a super chat question that we got uh, from Bravado Agency. And Serena, I'll throw this to you. First of all, Bravado Agency, thank you so much. Uh, thank you for hearing my questions, Jesse. Yeah, you've been great with the
[6:09:30]questions today. Does considering acquitted conduct in Diddy sentencing violate his due process and the Sixth Amendment? That's a great question because it was very controversial for
[6:09:41]the judge to consider conduct that was uh that supported the racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges. He was acquitted of those to consider
[6:09:51]evidence that supported that to consider conduct a part of that in the sentencing for transportation to engage in prostitution. In other words, for example, should the judge really
[6:10:01]consider the Cassie Ventura tape? Is that what decided uh the is that what convinced the jury to find him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution? Maybe not. It seemed like that was more about sex trafficking than
[6:10:12]that charge. So, is this going to be grounds, whatever his sentence may be, is this grounds for an appellet court to say, "Hey, listen. Shawn's rights were
[6:10:21]violated." Serena, I throw it to you. >> Yeah. You know, technically, you're really supposed to focus on convicted conduct and you're really not supposed to go outside of those boundaries. It is
[6:10:32]very hard to unring those bells. Obviously, people are human. Even judges are human. Juries are human. And when a judge is considering sentencing, it's very hard to compartmentalize and put
[6:10:43]aside certain things. Cassie, although her count was technically dismissed, she did partake in and participate in certain events that that um helped did
[6:10:55]he get convicted. So, it's hard to discount her completely. Um I think it would be a difficult argument to make to say that his rights were completely violated if the judge were to consider
[6:11:06]um any of Cassie's testimony or any of the video. Uh because when all is said and done, these charges are not so cut and dry. They're not so black and white. It's not just a simple assault case. You
[6:11:17]know, I punch you, you get hurt, and there's a lot of things that go into um why he was convicted and for what. So, I do think it's a good question, but I
[6:11:28]also think it's it's very hard for a judge to totally separate those acts from his final decision. >> Joe, we got a question from Amanda Alman. if there is a possibility of 20
[6:11:38]years, right? Because transportation to engage in prostitution is maximum of 10 years uh on each and you know if each charge he runs them consecutively. Um why does there seem to be more of a
[6:11:50]reason for five to seven years? That's a fair question. Why is that the range, Joe? Well, typically, I mean, you know, particularly on the federal side, people follow the judges often follow the
[6:12:01]guidelines, and everybody kind of is aware of the guidelines based on someone's past, what they got convicted of, what they've been uh uh convicted of, if anything, before. There's certain
[6:12:10]things that they they put in uh as part of their calculus to say based on, you know, the sentencing guidelines, normally someone winds up here. And
[6:12:21]that's why we hear five to seven so much. But then there's a question as to whether and what facts actually have uh pdi either going higher than the
[6:12:32]sentencing guidelines or going lower than the sentencing sentencing guidelines. And of course that's where all the argument is, right? Because the defense wants time served. The
[6:12:41]prosecution wants 11 years. So everybody piles on the things that they think should make us deviate away from the guidelines to the north or away from the
[6:12:52]guidelines to the south. But the starting point that everyone deviates from on some level is the guidelines themselves that are based on a formula.
[6:13:01]And that formula, the starting place is often they don't stray very far from it. The judges don't, but they can. And the question becomes whether this is a
[6:13:11]unicorn that allows the defense to get a much lower sentence or allows the prosecution to get a much higher one. >> Um, so it's interesting. Xavier Donaldson says to the court, the court's
[6:13:23]in a difficult position, I think, if I may say that respectfully. You find yourself, I think, saying you have two people here. Who's the real Shawn Combmes? I like to believe that the real Shawn Combmes is in the grain of all those letters you read and what you
[6:13:34]heard from the family. Interesting uh point to make there. Uh Sierra, you're outside that courthouse. You've been our eyes and ears about what has been happening there um since the start of
[6:13:45]the day as we're now coming towards the end. So now as we're coming potentially to a sentence, an official sentence, has the scene changed? >> Yes and no. I mean, what's interesting
[6:13:58]about today is everyone has been relatively low-key. And I mean that in the way of yes, we are in the Southern District of New York. We do hear sirens, honking, people yelling, and you know,
[6:14:09]general commotion. But by and large, today is much more calm than it was the day of the verdict back in July when it came down. And I mean that was a pretty shocking verdict, right? The fact that
[6:14:19]there was a partial acquitt and we only had these two convictions on the transportation to engage in prostitution charges. So I think it was a huge surprise then there was the baby oil and
[6:14:29]lube that people were squirting and yelling. I have yet to see anything like that today. I will say though more people are starting to trickle in now that we're getting closer to the end of the day. You know maybe it's that people
[6:14:41]are getting off work early. It's a Friday. They want to see what's going on. Or maybe it's really that people are just getting extra antsy. They want to see what is going to happen. And we're inching closer and closer to P. Diddy
[6:14:51]Shawn Combmes himself speaking. So we can hear about that hopefully. And then additionally when the sentence finally does come down. So generally it's pretty calm, but there are a decent amount of
[6:15:03]people who are here. >> Yeah. When is that going to happen? Going to be very interesting to see. Um, Serena for um Xavier Donaldson says, "I spoke
[6:15:12]to uh chiefs of police in Miami. I spoke to superintendents of education in Miami. Everyone said this is something different." Uh, let me close with this. People like me are supposed to be here
[6:15:22]to show that we can do it. He's making he goes also here in the SDNY. We've had US senators prosecuted here. I dare anyone to say anyone else in the past 30
[6:15:32]years did what he did in the MDC. the true Shawn Combmes came back talking about how he's helped so many inmates uh behind bars. Big question is did the judge already go in today? I know what
[6:15:43]I'm going to sentence him to and it's been changed potentially by what he's hearing in court today, particularly from the family members, particularly from the lawyers, both, you know, either
[6:15:52]from the prosecution or the defense. In my experience, and I've been on both sides of the aisle as a prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney, just in my experience, typically a judge will show up with some idea of what they plan on
[6:16:04]doing. In fact, a lot of judges show up with a script of their reasoning for why they're doing what they're doing. Now, can they cross out the number and put a different number in there at the end of
[6:16:14]the day? Sure. Uh, that does happen. I've seen that happen as well, and they can be, uh, moved by that. >> Well, how do you know that? How do you know that? That's a good point. Yeah, >> I could tell. You could tell when you're
[6:16:25]>> tell. You can tell. Okay. >> Yeah. Because you just see the judge saying all these very eloquent things and sometimes reading off a page and you're like, "You came in here prepared." >> Okay. So, so that that's actually a good point. Let me ask you, if the judge
[6:16:36]comes back after all this and says, >> "Yeah, >> I need 10 minutes." And does that mean that he's changing his sentence? >> It could be that they're in the back doing some red lines and some, you know,
[6:16:48]checking on language. It could very well be. And seriously, it definitely does happen. Um, you know, because let's be honest, it puts the judge in a very awkward position to have to go in, you
[6:16:59]know, because the alternative is the judge goes in a blank slate and listens to everything and then formulates the sentence and the reasoning and that's just too much. That's just too much to handle. A judge also wants to make sure
[6:17:10]that there's proper precedent for the sentence that they give. So, it would be silly to go in there and, you know, totally unprepared like that. So, I do think the judge came in with some
[6:17:20]semblance of an idea, if not a total idea of what they want to do. Uh, but that's not to say that they won't maybe waver a little bit from there. >> Um, Joe, Dr. Laura R. Palmer asks, "Do
[6:17:32]you think the judge will use Diddy as an example for this type of behavior as a signal to other blanketed abusers?" >> I think that he could. Um
[6:17:43]the good news is is the difficulty with that is that P. Diddy on to the good or to the bad is a very unusual case, right? He's a unicorn in that he's this
[6:17:54]big rich powerful guy. Um do you and I do I walk away from this believing that people with resources are not going to
[6:18:04]still be better off than without uh those that are without resources? No. It's not going to change anybody's mind that way. making him an example. I guess
[6:18:14]that's a possibility, but he's so different. Um because some of us or most of us won't be similarly situated. But will he uh look at maybe a lack of him
[6:18:25]being contrite, a lack of him being humble, etc., and hammer him a little bit because of it? Yeah, he absolutely might. But I'm not sure any of us or many of us would walk away saying,
[6:18:37]"Well, when I'm in Diddy's position, uh, I'll never do that." Because there's so few people that are in that position other than setting an example for Hollywood, right? Which is not most of
[6:18:47]us. So the making of of an example, yeah, perhaps as it pertains to the domestic violence side without, you know, considering that Diddy is such a
[6:18:58]unicorn, but most of us are not going to be walking away going, "Oh, I got to make sure I don't do what Diddy did so that I'm not similarly situated because I'm not similarly situated." Most of us aren't.
[6:19:08]>> We got a question from Allesia Mari. How long have they been inside? Since 10:05 a.m. We have been on the air since 10:00 this morning as well. Um Sierra's been out there um since that time as well.
[6:19:19]Hopefully the weather's been holding up and everything's okay there. But look, we don't want you to miss a minute of what is happening inside that courtroom, particularly since there's no cameras. Um interesting development in court. So
[6:19:29]Xavier Donaldson says now what I'm about to tell you is in respect to what the prosecution accused Shawn Combmes of. Do you remember earlier on in the day when they go he's got speaking engagements in
[6:19:39]Miami scheduled for next week, seemingly trying to suggest he's not taking any of this seriously. he thinks he's going to get out. Well, the defense fired back and said it's not a speaking engagement. It's a way to say that it's a it's a
[6:19:51]it's helping people. It's it's, you know, one of these events where he's going to help people and talk about the danger of of criminal activity and what life is like inside. So, Xavier Donaldson says we have a speaker ready
[6:20:02]to say these are not speaking engagements. May he speak. It's the executive director of re-entry one. Judge says, "What is the gentleman's name?" Xavier Donaldson says Giovani
[6:20:14]judge says I have a letter from these others. One minute is fine. So it seems that there uh is an emphasis to try to speed this along. Uh this person says my name is Giovani Sars for re-entry one. We have a couple of hundred people per
[6:20:26]year. I have read the letter of those impacted by the teaching and mentorship of Mr. Shawn Combmes. As a formerly incarc incarcerated person myself, I see the impact. Sierra, this goes to a
[6:20:36]larger question. Two questions I'm going to throw to you. One is from Kentucky at heart. What did Shawn Combmes help the inmates with? So, we've seen a lot of letters about what he did. What's the
[6:20:48]impact there? If you could summarize that for how how has he been helping people inside? And two, this is a question from CBA Corp TV. The judge had three months to look at all these
[6:20:58]statements. Why wait until the sentence day to decide? So, I guess it's an idea of there has been a lot that the judge has had to see and there's a lot that has been prepared. You need a day to
[6:21:09]actually go through it and make the final arguments. But as we talk about what was being prepared, what were these inmates saying about Shawn Combmes?
[6:21:21]>> So, let's start with your first question, Jesse. What was P Diddy, Shawn Combmes helping all of these inmates with? And it sounds like it was some sort of game, you know, the free game
[6:21:31]with Diddy. And basically what it was was to lift spirits, talk about, you know, what we're going to do when we get out of here. positivity. And again, we have to remember that prior to all of
[6:21:41]this, Shan Diddy comes, we know his name because he was very successful both as a music artist, but also an entrepreneur when we're talking about Bad Boy Records or Sha John or Del Tequila, whatever it
[6:21:53]may be. He had a business enterprise really, so to speak. And I think what he's doing and helping these inmates is, hey, okay, here's what's going to happen when you get out of here. here are ways
[6:22:03]that you can you know better yourself both in the career way but also the mindset of you know being a better person reform kind of the bottom line in all of that and I think that's the underlying thing here we're hearing you
[6:22:15]just were reading one of the updates from Giovani in court saying yes I have in fact seen a difference with P Diddy with Shawn Colmes you know interacting with some of these other inmates and you
[6:22:26]know what he's done with them at MDC now on to your second question about Judge Arun Samaran the fact that he's had what, three months to go through and read all of these letters and collect all that information. Honestly, if
[6:22:38]you're asking me, I think he's been ruminating on it for maybe more than all of that time. He knew when he sat on the bench for the trial that he was going to be involved in the sentencing if there would be a conviction. So, of course,
[6:22:49]he's paying close attention throughout the entire trial just to be fair at the trial, but he has to have in the back of his mind, okay, if there is a conviction, which it turns out there was, he's going to have to be involved
[6:22:59]in this sentencing. So, if you're asking me and kind of to the point that Serena Townsen was just talking about there, I believe that Judge Aruna Samarinian went in today kind of knowing what he was getting into. I'm sure he prepared
[6:23:11]something. I'm sure he thought about all of it because yes, it seems like a long day today. I've been standing outside here outside at the courthouse for, you know, x amount of hours. It seems like a long day. However, when someone's life
[6:23:23]is in the balance here, the future of P. Diddy, whether he'll be able to watch his young children grow up, that's a really big day. and it's probably going by pretty fast for him. So, I think that Judge Arun Samaranian just wants to make
[6:23:34]sure that he's being very fair about it, thinking through everything, looking through all of the guidelines. So, he definitely was preparing a bit before that, but who's to say, could he be swayed by what is being said right now
[6:23:46]in court as we speak? >> Yeah, and it takes a while to prepare all that information. The pre-sentencing report takes some time. They have to do a kind of a full background analysis of Shawn Combmes. Um, it also depends when
[6:23:58]these letters are submitted to the court and are able to be reviewed by the uh by the judge. You have so many from family and inmates and people who testified at the trial. Um, Shawn Combmes, the
[6:24:09]victims. So, it look he is scheduling a lot of time for this. Um, it is interesting. Uh, Giovani Sus says in court, this is a new update. When a
[6:24:20]person creates his own program while incarcerated, it shows something. I know. I've done it. not even a parking ticket since I work with probation probation. I speak at many different functions with the private prison
[6:24:31]operator that we work with. So trying to suggest that Shawn Combmes, if he was going to be speaking next week or was planning to. It was for a good purpose. It wasn't like, hey, I'm going to be out. I'm going to do speaking engagements. You know, I think they're
[6:24:42]trying to really reverse that narrative. That seems to be what they've been doing throughout the course of the day. Uh Serena, this is interesting. It's a question from Britney Curry. Uh, is there a possibility of Diddy being able
[6:24:52]to have his record expuned after so much time passes? >> That's a toughy. Um, I wouldn't expect that a record like this would be expuned
[6:25:03]anytime soon. Uh, there are mechanisms to expune records in certain situations, but I would be surprised with this type of conviction. um especially considering
[6:25:15]how many counts he was facing and and all of the extraneous stuff that we learned about him during this trial. I think it would be hard to expunge. I'm
[6:25:24]not saying it's an impossibility, but I wouldn't hold my breath. >> You know, Joe, it's interesting when we talk about what the judge is considering
[6:25:34]here because in a way Shawn Combmes is different than anyone else. If the analysis is, hey, I have the possibility of releasing somebody who, if I take him
[6:25:43]at his word, he has the power, the resources, the opportunity, the expertise to really help a lot of people. Again, assuming everything Shawn Combmes is saying is true. And if he can
[6:25:54]go out and try to help people, you know, former inmates re-enter society like this organization, or try to tell people, let me tell you about what happened if you break the law, let me
[6:26:04]tell you about my time at the MDC. if he can help people in a positive way and not like any other kind of criminal defendant. There's criminal defendants who say all the time, I'll be a different person. I've learned from my actions. I want to be a productive
[6:26:16]member of society. It's a little different when you talk about Shawn Combmes. But should that be used to his advantage? Does that put him in a different position that can work to his benefit? Whereas somebody else who is
[6:26:27]convicted of transportation to engage in prostitution may not have the same ability to do good as Shawn Combmes. Well, Shan Holmes has the ability to do good with resources put behind it,
[6:26:39]right? And so it is something to be considered, but it shouldn't be determinative, right? Because, you know, if I'm being cynical, here's a guy buying his way uh out of trouble, you
[6:26:50]know, lessening the blow, as it were. Meanwhile, you've got people that uh that are scared for their safety because those same resources he can use to help people, he can also use to intimidate
[6:27:01]people. we can also use to make uh people feel a certain way. Um and naturally Cassie and and others would feel a certain type of way about
[6:27:11]whenever he's going to be free, whether that's uh you know, a year from now or whether that's uh 10 years from now. So, you know, we don't want to consider what
[6:27:22]his resources may be able to do uh so much that it wipes away consideration uh of the people that he actually hurt that were, as the judge said, that were
[6:27:33]actually victims. So, you know, it's it's it's a bit dangerous. And then, you know, when we get into that question, I think it makes it easier to come out on Diddy's side this way if he doesn't appear arrogant, if he doesn't appear
[6:27:44]like certain misunderstandings are happening. They've got to be on top of this narrative. There should never have been a discussion about him doing his speech next week. He wouldn't have been worse off for setting it up after he got
[6:27:56]out. You know what I mean? You know, it it still lends toward this thing that if he's being arrogant, if he's being flippant, if he's being a certain way that people um you know, would make him
[6:28:06]less sympathetic, he has to get rid of that. And he hasn't done that yet. >> Uh Giovani Sus from this re-entry re-entry program. Judge, we're eager to work with we're eager to work with Mr. Combmes in the same way. We have
[6:28:18]established engagements in communities in need. Lastly, our mission is centered in the idea that those closest to the problem will solve it. The judge says, "Okay, thank you very much." So, we're waiting to see who speaks next um and
[6:28:29]whether or not we're coming to the conclusion, which by the way, Sierra, we just got this question from Dojo Jojo. Could this overflow into Monday? Ah, I
[6:28:40]hope not. But, I mean, is it possible? I mean, I hope not also, but I guess it is possible. It's interesting because this morning, reporter Elizabeth Milner
[6:28:52]and I met up, you know, pretty early. Again, there was kind of a long line, so I saw her before she went into the courthouse where she is right now in the sentencing room and we were chatting about this and Elizabeth said, "Yeah,
[6:29:02]I've actually heard rumors that maybe this could go into Monday." So, it is kind of out there in the ether that yeah, maybe this could go out on some Monday. However, it's interesting that
[6:29:13]this sentencing has lasted as long as it has already. I mean, it's 3:30 exactly Eastern time as I'm talking to you right now. This started at around 10:00 this morning. So, for it to go this long
[6:29:24]already is very interesting. I think at the very least, it stands out the lengthy process that has happened so far. But, as we've seen with anything in the case against P Diddy, anything is
[6:29:34]possible. And that means it could possibly trickle over into Monday. I don't know that it's likely, but it could happen. >> Well, uh, Mark Agnifilo, I I I think the
[6:29:45]argument you could say is Shancom's main uh, defense attorney just made a statement to the court, "It's getting late. I'll be brief. I started in the Manhattan DA's office in 1990. We mostly
[6:29:55]had to put people in jail." 1996, the Center for Court Innovation started John J. did a lot of studies. Domestic violence tends to come from childhood trauma. I think that's what he was
[6:30:07]saying. Um, so interesting trying to explain that again about, you know, trauma, drug use would have potentially spawned a lot of Shawn Comb's behavior
[6:30:17]here. Um, Serena, we're getting to potentially the end of this. How does it work now? Um, Shawn Combmes will provide a statement. What's going to happen next
[6:30:29]in terms of what the judge will do? Is he going to take a break? How long will he speak for? What can we expect? Well, different judges are different with respect to how quickly they render
[6:30:39]their decision after hearing all of this. I think even if the judge did come in with his prepared uh decision and he knows what he's going to do, I if I were a betting girl, I would bet that he will
[6:30:51]take at least a short break even just for optics to show that he's considering everything that happened today. Uh and then we'll get his decision. He'll
[6:31:02]probably make uh not the most lengthy speech, but he'll probably say a bunch of things before just letting it all out there and then we'll know. And
[6:31:11]obviously, if Diddy is not released today on a time served and technically even if he does get a very short sentence, they'll bring him back to do the calculations. So, I don't expect
[6:31:22]either way for Shawn Diddy Combmes to be walking out of that courtroom today. >> Just one follow-up question. Is this unusual sentencing hearing like this, Serena? Uh, we have a poll up. Are you surprised the sentencing is taking this
[6:31:33]long? Uh, 71% said yes. I'm losing my patience. 29% said no. It makes sense. Have you seen something like this?
[6:31:43]>> Uh, this is the longest sentencing I've ever seen. I think the only people benefiting from this sentence are the lawyers who are billing hourly. >> Why don't you say it more bluntly? Can't
[6:31:54]you um Joe got a super chat question, excuse me, from Annette McMullen. Thank you so much for the super chat question. If names and celebrities were removed
[6:32:05]and only theformational and judgment from the trial, how would this change potential sentencing? I'm not sure I fully understand the question. Um yeah,
[6:32:16]I don't really know. There were aspects of this trial where we didn't certain names were not used. Um I don't know. I don't know how you interpret that. >> Yeah. Yeah. I don't know where he's going with that. I mean, I guess this connects to this larger issue as to how
[6:32:28]much we expected um there to potential be potentially be testimony from people that were stars, people that we knew and
[6:32:37]what that could do to the dynamic. I am certain there's no star in Hollywood, New York City, or wherever, uh that wanted to have their name attached to this thing, even if they're hoping that
[6:32:48]P. Diddy uh got off from it. So, so there would be, you know, one would have to be very careful about, you know, that's not exactly something if I'm a publicist that I want my guy doing. Uh,
[6:33:00]because he's certainly morally wrong. Um, because of the the crap that he did here, even if he technically gets off. So, I don't know that that that would be any pony that a pony that any star would want to ride on.
[6:33:11]>> You want you you want you want a different question? I'll give you a different question. We got a question from Matthew Matthew Colomo. Joe, uh, what will some of the security risks be with Diddy being around other inmates
[6:33:21]due to the severity of the crime? So, assuming he is sentenced to prison, what will be some of the security risks? >> Well, the Diddies of the world could be marks. They they could be people that,
[6:33:32]you know, you you you get points for for doing things to, right? Um, and so therefore, you really have to take some some precautions on some level uh to
[6:33:42]analyze uh potential threats, make sure he's in certain areas. Now, depending on what level prison he's in, if he's in a lower security place, that might be one thing. If he's in a higher security
[6:33:53]place, you know, there would be another thing. So there would be uh and and in that way there may be some precedent in that they compare what they've done uh pertaining to other people that were uh
[6:34:05]considered celebrities and things like that. What places do you normally send them to? What level of security do you still how married are you to the level of security based on the crime committed
[6:34:16]and convicted of and versus how do you deviate from that uh if at all? And so a lot of those things are going to figure in this time. This way you have a little bit more of a precedent because famous
[6:34:26]people do uh go to jail sometimes, but my sense is they would take precautions at whatever place he's supposed to be housed at based on what he was convicted of. >> Um we have an update from court. So
[6:34:38]we're getting a sense of how much longer this is going to be. Mark just said we found in the microfilm there how his father died and a drug deal gone bad. Um maybe that's the trauma. He had major
[6:34:48]depressive disorder. Okay, I'm going to sit down in five minutes, then Miss Slavic and Mr. Combmes will have the last word. Okay, so we are getting to
[6:34:58]the end of this. Sierra, we've been talking all day about what Shawn Combmes will say, what he needs to say, will it be consistent with the letter that he wrote to the judge? As somebody who's
[6:35:10]followed this case from the very beginning, what are you going to be on the lookout for when Shawn Comb speaks? I think it will probably be relatively
[6:35:21]consistent with what we read in the letter, right? I mean, Diddy had much time while he's been in MDC Brooklyn to come forth and put together kind of his thoughts about what he feels, how he's
[6:35:33]changed, how he's been reformed, and what he will do, how he will not reaffend, etc. But I do feel like there's something extra in the courtroom. there's something different
[6:35:43]besides just, you know, writing with a pen and paper about how you're feeling versus actually having to speak publicly in front of people and talk about something. Once again, it's essentially his life on the line here when we're
[6:35:54]talking about his young daughter, love. She's a toddler. He wants to see his daughter, you know, grow up. And not to mention even the adult children. They're in a very important time in their lives.
[6:36:04]Any father, I assume, would want to be out with his children, not behind bars. So, to him, this is of the utmost importance. Not to mention that he's already spent more than a year behind
[6:36:14]bars at MDC Brooklyn. And this is a common theme we've talked about throughout our entire live stream today. It's not a great place to be, right? We've heard a lot of pretty negative things about it. Of course, he wants to
[6:36:25]leave, especially after he's accustomed to the lavish mansions in Miami and in LA and, you know, familiar with New York. All of those things Diddy wants to be out for. However, back to my point
[6:36:36]about the heightened, you know, sensitivity, the feeling in the courtroom. I think this is really Diddy's moment. He sat through so many hours of the trial where he just kind of
[6:36:45]had to be very stoic. Of course, he reacted to some things. However, I mean, he didn't get up there and speak. He didn't testify. We know that Diddy, prior to all of this, liked to speak his
[6:36:55]mind, like to set the record straight, so to speak. And now, this is his one chance after waiting months and months. I mean, even years since the first allegations came out. Not to mention his
[6:37:06]mother's there, his children are there, they've cried, you know, his attorneys have cried. This is a very high intensity moment. I do think that we'll see some sort of intense emotion from P.
[6:37:16]Diddy himself about all of this, begging to have his sentence be on the lower end. >> Begging is a good question because Mark Agno just said, "I'm asking you to
[6:37:26]release him today. He has been punished publicly. Everyone knows every twist and turn in this case. This is also a form of general deterrence. The publicity that he got, Miss Ventur's lawsuit, it
[6:37:38]destroyed his businesses. Is that a compelling argument, Joe? Is that a compelling argument that he has suffered enough, he has been punished enough, that there's not more that you should do
[6:37:49]to him? >> Not particularly. Um, because, you know, America is a great country in that America is a country of a comeback. And there's nothing to say that P Diddy
[6:37:59]can't come all the way back. Um, meanwhile, back at the ranch, I don't know that Cassie ever gets over what happened. Maybe she gets through it. Maybe the victims get through it, but
[6:38:11]they are forever changed. And so, I don't want that minimized uh for anyone, right? Um, and I think it's would be very unfair to them for us to minimize
[6:38:22]that, particularly when you get, you know, big Diddy. I mean, you know, all of the things that he wants to do, well, he wants to see his toddler grow up. He wants to see fill in the blank or whatever else. Well, didn't you want to
[6:38:32]before all of this started happening? Didn't you want to back when you were up for conviction? Maybe you should have got convicted in the Shine case 15, 20 years ago. We've already been here. You
[6:38:42]already know what this is like. And here we are again. You've already done a religious album. You've already done all of the things that make you look like a changed man. Meanwhile, no change. So,
[6:38:53]if the judge wants to consider what he's saying and take it seriously and look at the the potential that he could be as a force for good with resources put behind it, that's fine.
[6:39:04]But what he's been through in and of itself, that wouldn't move me not even one eye. >> Particularly, as we mentioned earlier, the letter from Cassie Ventur when she
[6:39:15]talked about how much she's struggling and the nightmares she goes through and the court was keen to say she is a victim of this crime. Yes, Shawn Combmes was acquitted of sex trafficking with respect to Cassie, but she is a victim
[6:39:26]of transportation to engage in prostitution. Okay, Serena, you might have noticed I I didn't come to you for a while because I have a bunch of questions for you that I'm going to read in succession to you. So, let's go to
[6:39:36]the first one. Uh, confused and Cali asks, "What are typical parole rules in New York and federal release and for how long?" >> Oh, that's a good question. Um, so it's
[6:39:48]all dependent on the person who is convicted and what they're convicted of and so many other things that you learn about that person in interviews and whatnot. So it will all depend is which
[6:39:59]is always a lawyer's favorite answer. It depends but it will be a level of uh pretty serious supervision. Uh he may not be able to leave the city or the
[6:40:11]state or the country without permission. There are going to be restrictions as to that to travel as to where he can live as to what he can do. Maybe there's a curfew. There are many many factors that
[6:40:23]are taken into consideration when you are on supervised release. You can always petition to change those uh restrictions as time goes on as you show that you're behaving yourself etc. Um
[6:40:35]there may be drug tests for example. There's a lot there there could be for example um like un unannounced searches or visits. There's a lot of um even if
[6:40:45]you're free is what I'm trying to say. There's a lot of restrictions on your freedom. >> Yeah, that that's a good point. Um so wait, we're going to take a quick break before we get into Sean Coms because
[6:40:56]he's going to be speaking soon. Real quick super chat question for you, Serena. This is from Annette McMullen. Uh thank you so much for the super chat question. Uh if this case was not involving a mega superstar, if and how
[6:41:07]would this be different? In other words, if the defendant was not Shawn Combmes, how would this play out? First of all, you would never know about it. There are so many people, and I like that we have
[6:41:17]this platform to to say this. There are so many people who are going through, you know, similar charges or worse charges or easier charges that nobody ever knows about. It's cases like this
[6:41:28]that actually educate the public as to their rights, our rights, the criminal justice system in general. Um, so it's great. It's actually great that we have this program and it's great that we're
[6:41:39]able to kind of follow these things, but you should know that there is a difference because the people who don't get that attention may not necessarily have the means to hire competent uh
[6:41:50]representation or maybe the type of representation that they really want to speak for them. They may not be able to um kind of get the public behind them to get that support. Uh we see that with
[6:42:01]Diddy, we see that with other, you know, high-profile cases. And so uh and sometimes judges and lawyers get away with certain things when there isn't
[6:42:11]that microscope on them. So in a certain way celebrities are watched more when these things happen and therefore you know judges and attorneys are held to
[6:42:20]the highest level of our law. But in other ways sometimes we see that celebrities are are looked upon to be uh made an example of. So it's it's
[6:42:31]potentially a wash in the end. But the biggest thing that you get out of this type of situation is that the public starts to learn a lot about the system >> and a lot about these crimes. I mean, how many hopefully every became an
[6:42:42]expert in sex trafficking and racketeering at the very least. Um, okay, we're going to take a quick break. So, as Shawn Combmes defense attorney Mark Nifolo is asking for a 14-month sentence. They're saying we're asking
[6:42:52]for a lot highlighting says Shawn Combmes has genuine psychological challenges. Um, that he suffers from PTSD. They're asking for leniency. Another lawyer is going to speak. Sean
[6:43:03]Combmes is going to speak. Hopefully, we get to that sentence. Let's take a quick break. We will be right back with our live coverage. Heat. Heat.
[6:58:54]I need you.
[7:01:48][Music] And welcome back to Law and Crime everybody. Our live coverage of the Shaun Diddy Combmes sentencing. I'm
[7:02:00]Jesse Weber. Thank you for joining us on our continued coverage of this. We are in hour seven maybe now. Uh we are hopefully coming to the end of this. We are waiting any minute now for Shawn
[7:02:11]Combmes to deliver his statement to the court. We already know he provided a letter in advance of this. Uh this is in advance of him officially being sentenced on two counts of transportation to engage in
[7:02:22]prostitution. It will all be up to Judge Arun Suburmanian on which way he will sentence Shawn Combmes. He indicated earlier that he doesn't see a reason to deviate from the 5 to seven years that
[7:02:32]range of prison. but he's also heard a lot today from attorneys, from Shawn Combmes family. Um, and I will note that right before we're about to hear from
[7:02:43]Shawn Combmes, and by the way, I say that there's no cameras allowed in that courtroom, but we're reporting to you live. Um, prosecutor Christy Slavic made the point that only one of the five defense attorneys who spoke today
[7:02:55]mentioned Combmes alleged victims in their presentations that it was all about Shawn Combmes and uh, you know, his why he should be released and he suffered enough but not mentioning the
[7:03:06]victims and I wonder if that's going to be a problem. Let me bring back in Serena Townsen. Let me bring back in Joe Richardson. Let me bring back in Sierra Gillespie. Sierra, I'll start with you. That is interesting, right? I mean,
[7:03:18]there has been a lack of talking about Jane. There has been a lack of talking about Cassie Ventura. Uh, obviously, the defense has particular positions about them throughout the course of this case, throughout the course of litigation
[7:03:29]leading into sentencing, but that is a point. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I wanted to make sure it was Sierra, not Serena. So, I was going
[7:03:41]to see if Serena was starting to talk, but that was in fact for Sierra. So, I will go ahead and answer that question now. I mean, talking about Cassie, talking about Jane, I mean, these are
[7:03:51]very vital, right? Because they're a huge part of the trial and I think that Judge Aruna Moran of course has to consider these things. I mean, he said it early on today. It was a question
[7:04:03]mark. The defense was saying, "Okay, I don't even know if these people should be considered as part of it, as part of victims, but he ruled yes, they are in fact victims." And I think of course it's going to be in the back of his mind
[7:04:14]the um the testimony that they had going through and recounting some of the trauma that they had. Of course that's something that's going to be coming up. And I do have to wonder if when P. Diddy himself does finally address the court
[7:04:25]if he's going to mention these people because that's the allegation here, right? Is trauma and abuse. And I wonder if he's going to say, "Yeah, I did some things wrong. Here's how I learned and
[7:04:37]here's how I'm going to get better." And I I guess I wonder if that's something that he might address. >> Well, it's interesting that you say that because s um Serena in Shawn Combmes's
[7:04:47]letter, okay, to the court, he said, "My sadness was my motivator. I have to admit my down my downfall was rooted in my selfishness. The scene and images of
[7:04:57]me assaulting Cassie play over and over in my head daily. I literally lost my mind. I was dead wrong for putting my hands on the woman that I loved. I'm sorry for that." and always will be. My
[7:05:09]domestic violence will always be a heavy burden that I will have to forever carry. Um he said earlier on, I take full responsibility and accountability
[7:05:19]for my past wrongs. I want to apologize and say how sincerely sorry I am for all the hurt and pain that I've caused others by my conduct. Two questions for you, Serena. A, do you think that's what
[7:05:30]he's going to focus on the victims in this case? And B, does he have to be careful? Does he have to be careful saying that he did this, that he apologizes for what he did, because he might have an appeal? If he's sentenced
[7:05:42]to 10 years in prison, he's going to fight appeal. If he admits to wrongdoing, if he admits to doing this, can that jeopardize the appeal? >> It's a good question. So, first of all, I do think he's going to try to focus on
[7:05:52]the victims. Certainly now that the prosecutor kind of put that out there. I think even if he hadn't been prepared to do that, hearing that he might say, "Look, you know, I my lawyers did their
[7:06:02]thing, but but the remorse that I have to give over for the for my victims has to come directly from me." You know, he might kind of spin it that way to make it seem like it was planned that way. um
[7:06:14]whether he has to be careful. You know, I think in a in a balancing situation here, he's really got to show as much as possible his remorse. He's got to show
[7:06:23]the judge that he is willing to change. Um and he can't be callous about it, and he really can't be equivocal. I think he really has to go full in if he wants any
[7:06:33]of that mitigation and sympathy to be thrown his way. So even if he's thinking about appealing, you know, there's a lot of things that you could appeal, not necessarily having to do with his guilt.
[7:06:45]It could be a procedural thing that the prosecution messed up when you appeal something. So I do think on balance, he really just needs to go full force and get on his knees and beg. >> Well, what he can't Well, what he's very
[7:06:57]careful of saying is, "I'm sorry I transported them for the purposes of sex work." He didn't say that. He goes, "I'm sorry for domestic violence. I'm sorry for hurting people." So, he can admit
[7:07:06]that without admitting technically or specifically the crimes that he was convicted of. Joe, I just uh oh, want to give everybody an update. Sean Combmes stands at the defense table. Oh, okay.
[7:07:18]One of the hardest things I've had to handle has been having to be quiet and not express how sorry I am for my actions. So, this is him speaking. I don't take that lightly. I would like to
[7:07:28]apologize to Cassie Ventura and her family. Joe, that's the first statement we've heard from Shawn Combmes in open court today, at least regarding an apology.
[7:07:40]>> Yeah. And it and you know it he's you know, it's kind of like I'm standing here going, "Okay, you know, keep coming." You know what else, right? You know, he's saying frankly what's going
[7:07:51]to be expected to be said. And it's interesting to your point, he's kind of seems to be apologizing like in writing and sometime to, you know, towards the the things that he didn't get convicted
[7:08:02]for, but we're having this whole discussion about making sure that that uh acquitted conduct is not included. So once again, you've got these, you know, you've got these different dynamics playing out, and it's going to be
[7:08:13]interesting to see where it goes and how believable he comes out and and can he come off like it's not about him? Can he come off like it's not him being uh
[7:08:24]narcissistic? And can he come off understanding in the eyes of the judge, in the eyes of the public, why maybe he ought to get more time and despite that?
[7:08:35]I'm asking you, your honor, to give me less time. And here's why. Is there an acknowledgement that you're not unreasonable for doing any of this? He's not going to give up the ghost on all that because they want to keep all their
[7:08:46]appealable issues. But how is he going to come off the way that he needs to come off to maximize his opportunity here? >> Well, this is this is the next thing he just said. I apologize to Jane for
[7:08:57]bringing you into my mess. I would like to apologize to all the victims of domestic violence. Remember, he hasn't been charged with domestic violence. He wasn't convicted of domestic violence. I know that the disgusting video triggered
[7:09:08]people, meaning the video of him beating Cassie Ventura. I was sick. Sick from the drugs. I needed help, but I didn't get the help. Okay, so let me break this down in real time. Uh, Serena. So now
[7:09:20]he's apologized both to Cassie and Jane. Again, not for transporting them for sex work, but for hurting them for uh domestic violence. He goes, "I knew
[7:09:30]better. My faith taught me better. I'm not this larger than-l life person. I'm just a human being. I'm trying my best. I lost my freedom and the opportunity to raise my children and be there for my
[7:09:41]mother. I lost all my businesses." Now again, your thoughts on this because this really is the first time he's had an opportunity substantively to make a
[7:09:50]comment about this. >> Yeah. Um and I completely agree with both of you that he's being very specific about what he's apologizing
[7:09:59]for. Um and he has to. It is true. He wants to show that complete remorse without really admitting to certain things. Um, look, this is the opportunity and the time where a
[7:10:10]defendant who has been convicted gets on his knees and begs for mercy. Um, whether a judge is already too jaded to
[7:10:18]really believe him, which I would not uh blame him for is to be seen, right? This it's very easy to be sorry now. It's
[7:10:28]very easy to say the things that he's saying after he's been convicted. Now, I do want to say that everybody does have the right to a trial, and I don't necessarily think that him taking the
[7:10:38]case to trial should be held against him and should be deemed as him not being remorseful. Uh, but on the other hand, here he is having tried to fight all of
[7:10:50]the allegations and only now um making any sort of admission to any issues. So, I don't think a judge is going to be
[7:10:58]very much swayed by this newest apology. uh just like any other defendant. >> So, just let everybody know my uh my uh battery's breaking up a little bit. I
[7:11:09]couldn't hear that last part. Serena, we're gonna work on getting this fixed, >> but I do want to give everybody an update. >> So, Sean Combmes says, "I hate myself right now. I have been stripped down to nothing. I want to apologize to my seven
[7:11:21]children. I'm so sorry. You deserve better. To my mother, I feel you taught me better." Sierra, I go to you. As somebody who's been following this case
[7:11:31]from the beginning, what are you taking away from what he's saying? >> I mean, this is a day of reckoning for Shawn P. Diddy Combmes. And something
[7:11:41]that we were hypothesizing before we finally were hearing the words that he was saying was that he may in fact point out the victims in this case and apologize. I mean, I believe we talked
[7:11:51]about that just minutes ago and here he is doing just that. My question in all of this, I will be very interested to see what Elizabeth Milner says when she comes out because right now she is in the courthouse. So, she is there
[7:12:03]watching P. Diddy as he's saying these immortal words. I want to know his emotion in all of it. I mean, we can read the words. He's saying, "I'm sorry to Cassie. I'm sorry to Jane. I'm sorry
[7:12:14]to my children and my mother. You taught me better. I threw everything away. I ruined everything." But what is the emotion there? Is it just words? Is he completely stone coldfaced or is he
[7:12:25]crying? Is he upset? And I think all of these things are something that Judge Arun Submaranian will be clocking because I mean that's really what it is. Is he truly sorry? Is he truly
[7:12:37]remorseful for everything that he's done? I mean he's now been convicted of a crime here, the transportation to engage in prostitution, which to your point, Jesse, we haven't heard an
[7:12:46]apology for all of that. We've heard an apology for the domestic violence side of things. And I mean, I will just guess that Diddy might go on for a bit longer
[7:12:56]as it is his first time really to address all of these accounts, but I want to know the emotion behind all of it. I >> It's a great point and that's obviously something that uh Elizabeth Milner would
[7:13:08]know because she's inside there. She can hear it for herself. But if we're clocking this, if we're clocking that he's not directly addressing the federal crimes that he was convicted of, you
[7:13:19]know, Judge Subbermanian is going to say it, too. Um, he says, "I let down my community. I wanted to show we could take care of our own problems. I got lost. I'm not this bad person. I'm sorry
[7:13:29]to my community. I let you all down. People can change. I know I've changed." There is a part about this, Joe, and he goes, "Sometimes you have to go through life experiences. These are not excuses.
[7:13:40]I can't change the past, but I can change the future. I beg your honor for mercy to be a father again, to be a son again, a leader in my community again, to get the help I need. Now, Joe, look,
[7:13:50]we're criticizing parts of this from a legal point of view, from a human point of view. Could the judge be persuaded that this is a guy who's really learned his lesson? That could be a force of
[7:14:02]good, that he wasn't convicted of racketeering and sex trafficking, um that while transportation to engage in prostitution is a serious crime and there were elements of violence and
[7:14:12]drugs that were part of it and this happened many times that perhaps he should not have to spend a significant portion of his life now in prison. Here's what I'd say at the risk of
[7:14:24]coming off like I'm banging on Diddy. And this is not a a a banging uh you know, diddy day kind of thing for me. But if he's learned his lesson in 14 months, he'll learn it better in two or
[7:14:34]three years. Um and so what that means is there's got to be another reason over and above him learning his lesson. That's part of it, but over and above
[7:14:45]him learning his lesson for him to be released more sooner than later. And that could be the force of good that he could be. I don't want to minimize that. I don't want to minimize the fact that
[7:14:57]he's uh uh in, you know, he's got ingenuity. He's creative. He has a huge platform. Everybody's going to be watching the things that he does next.
[7:15:06]And so that would have to be more the reason to let him get out earlier because again, he knows how to succeed.
[7:15:16]And in all of these areas where he says because of, you know, he lost his father and it made him more likely to to to, you know, or, you know, to be a domestic abuser or whatever that was, he overcame
[7:15:28]the odds in so many other ways. So that doesn't fly either. So it's really got to be his ability to do something maybe
[7:15:37]that almost nobody else could do coming from this situation. So, I'm not going to minimize the power of that and how the judge may evaluate that, but it's going to have to be that even more than
[7:15:48]just learning the lesson. >> He just said, "I don't want to let God down. I have no one to blame but myself. I know I will never put my hands on another person again. I'm willing to
[7:15:59]comply with any conditions. Me sharing my story is not a scheme to get less time. This story is tragic. If your honor gives me a chance to share my
[7:16:10]story, this has a positive impact. Thank you to the jury. Your honor gave me the confidence in the jury to believe that I did not have to testify. They sacrificed eight weeks. I thank them. I thank I
[7:16:21]think it's I thank them for not guilty. Serena, back to you. Your thoughts on this? >> Well, here's the thing. Shawn Diddy Combmes always had a platform to tell his story. He didn't need to be
[7:16:33]convicted of heinous crimes to be able to inspire people and use his power for good. I feel it's such a shame that somebody who did come from such a
[7:16:43]difficult and broken background and was able to pursue his dreams and get there then turned around and used it to manipulate people to harm people, people
[7:16:54]who are very vulnerable uh to him. And he used his power for bad. Uh maybe he did some good things. Maybe his children love him. That's true. But there are
[7:17:04]many, many convicted felons with children who were innocent and are always going to be innocent, waiting for their fathers or mothers to come home. He's not unique in that situation. What
[7:17:16]made Shawn Combmes unique is that he grew out of a terrible situation and instead of using that to better his community and better the people around
[7:17:25]him, he used them and ended up doing these heinous crimes towards the women in his life. So, I don't know that it rings so favorably to a judge that he's
[7:17:36]now telling his story in this way. >> Well, he might have been listening to us cuz Sierra, you know what he just said? I take full responsibility for my man
[7:17:45]act convictions. They want you to make an example of me. I want you to think about making an example of what a person can do if they get another chance. Consider the beautiful children who
[7:17:57]spoke for me. Um again, I've heard sometimes I' we we have both heard statements from defendants when they're sentenced. Sometimes it really have no impact. Sometimes they're saying, "I the
[7:18:07]jury got it wrong. I'm innocent." Um, sometimes their words kind of uh are hollow. By the way, Sean Kols just wrapped. He says, "No matter what anyone says, I am truly sorry. Thank you, your
[7:18:18]honor." I I'm curious from your perspective. Does this one stand out to you, Sierra? Is it different? >> I think this does stand out. I mean, just minutes ago, we were saying, "Okay,
[7:18:28]we haven't heard about the man acts. We haven't heard about the transportation to engage in prostitution." And we said judge Aroon Samaranian would be clocking this. So, it seems as though this may be
[7:18:39]a strategic move on the path of P. Diddy to mention this and to say right out of the gate, hey, I'm sorry to Cassie, Jane, etc., all the people that he hurt and how then he talked about his family
[7:18:51]and then now he's talking about his conviction here. And I do have to wonder if perhaps he went through and, you know, talked it through with his defense attorneys. Hey, here's what I'm thinking of saying. What do you think I should include? What do you think I should, you
[7:19:02]know, exclude? All of the those sort of things. I think it's interesting that he says this isn't any sort of scheme here in order for me to get less time. Make
[7:19:12]an example out of me in the way that I can go on and share my story. And this kind of goes to what Serena was saying. P. Diddy was already a public figure. He didn't have to be convicted of a crime
[7:19:23]like this in order to share his story. I mean, we've seen a lot of other celebrities who have gone through addiction or things like that who haven't been convicted and then show us a positive change as a role model. So, I
[7:19:35]think it's interesting, but I do think it's strategic. He brought up the man act. >> Okay. Serena, what did you say to me before you go? If he might change his
[7:19:46]opinion, he might take a break. >> Mhm. >> Judge says, "Let's take five minutes." Five minutes. >> All right. What does that mean? What does that mean? >> Case law can
[7:19:57]>> Is he changing his sentence? >> Oh, man. Five minutes is that perfect amount of time to show that you're taking it seriously, but not yet quite enough time to really change the words that you were planning on saying. I
[7:20:09]don't think that he's going to change what he intended to say when he first started today's session. Um, I think he obviously wants to give everybody a break. He wants the optics of showing
[7:20:19]that he is taking everything in that that came out today, but it doesn't feel to me like five minutes is enough to uh really change what he was planning on saying in my opinion.
[7:20:30]>> Is that because um and if you agree, Joe, is that because what Shawn Combmes said was very similar to what he wrote? It doesn't change the narrative in any
[7:20:42]way. It may be different to hear it directly from Shawn Combmes himself. there were potential variations um taking full responsibility for the man act convictions, but if you agree with
[7:20:53]Serena, is that because it's really not substantively on a whole different from what the judge already read in that letter? >> Yeah. And that I think he's going to be
[7:21:03]more inclined to be moved by the letters of others and the sending guidelines and the things that are already in place anyway. The question is how much he moves off the dime from that. Again, he
[7:21:14]should consider what was said today. I think I said that earlier, but you know, he probably had an idea what he was going to do. And P Diddy him and you know, he himself maybe he was tipping
[7:21:25]toward the judge was tipping toward doing whatever he was going to do and there's a question as to whether he could move it a tick one way or the other by saying what he would say, but I think he had a good idea where he was
[7:21:35]going to be. And I think that considering what other folks would have to say would probably be equally important and maybe maybe even more so. Uh, I believe it's fine. Just said the judge will ask you what you think, Jesse
[7:21:47]Weber. I don't think so. I don't think the judge is interested in what I have to say. Um, what are we predicting in terms of a sentence here now that we are only a potentially a few minutes away?
[7:21:58]We've been covering it all day, Sierra. We've been covering it for months now. I'll start with you. What are you anticipating for a sentence for Shawn Diddy Combmes after he was convicted of
[7:22:07]these twoman act violations? I think that per what Serena says, Judge Arun Samaranian came into this with a thought in his mind of what he wanted
[7:22:18]the sentence to be. He's going to consider it for his next 5 minutes. But if you're asking me, my prediction is still that 5 to sevenyear range. I don't think that he's going to go on the lower
[7:22:29]end, what the defense wants, that 14month sentence. I don't think it's going to be quite as long as what the prosecution is hoping for with the 11 years, which is a significant amount of
[7:22:39]time, but five to seven years to me is still pretty significant. I mean, if we're talking about his young daughter, Love, she's, you know, a toddler at this point, add five years and she's nearly
[7:22:51]headed into uh later elementary school. That's a huge chunk of a child's life. And so I do think the 5 to sevenyear range. I'm maybe going to guess 5 years if if that's my guess.
[7:23:02]>> Serene, I'll ask you what you think in terms of a sentence and also what can we expect from Judge Arun Suburmanian? Is he going to be making a significant long statement as well?
[7:23:12]>> So I agree with Sierra. I I'm looking singledigit sentence here. I think the judge is going to probably just meet in the middle between, you know, the lower end of the sentence and the 11 years
[7:23:22]that the prosecution is asking for. So, I would be comfortable saying probably five, six years is around where I think this will land. Um, and like Sierra mentioned, you know, thea the charges
[7:23:33]that he was actually convicted of are serious, but in the grand scheme of things with respect to the RICO charge that he could have been facing are far less uh severe than what he would have
[7:23:44]been facing. So, I do think there's going to be a significant cut on the on the sentence. And the judge, yeah, the judge is going to give a statement, probably not an extraordinarily long
[7:23:55]statement, but a statement explaining his rationale. A statement that says, you know, I've heard from both sides. I credit such and such from this side of the bench. I credit such and such from
[7:24:05]this side of the bench. I don't find these particular arguments persuasive. He's going to break it down a little bit and he's going to give his rationale and then probably end with the actual sentence amount.
[7:24:17]>> You know, you tell me, Joe. Is there a possibility he could really significantly downgrade this to 14 months, 16 months, 18 months? Why? Because he said earlier after hearing
[7:24:29]the children, it was important to hear them. It was important to hear them. He just heard Shawn Combmes, his defense attorneys, almost all of them spoke. I believe almost all of them spoke. I
[7:24:39]don't know if that changed his consensus about this. You heard Shawn Combmes talk about the vile conditions he was in for over a year. Does that is that matter?
[7:24:51]Does that not? He wasn't convicted of the more serious charges, which by the way, when you talk about manac convictions and when they can reach the higher end of the scale, it's when they're usually coupled with a sex
[7:25:03]trafficking operation or a racketeering operation. There was violence a part of this. There were aggravating conditions a part of this. But are we looking at it the wrong way? Could the judge come back
[7:25:13]and shock us all and say 14 months, 18 months? Joe, >> it's possible, but I don't think it's probable because among other things, if
[7:25:23]he really deviates a long way down, I think he's going to have some explaining to do. Um, and so he's going to explain himself anyway, right? Um, but I don't
[7:25:35]know that people jump up and down and say there's some people that really love Diddy that he comes in too high. Oh my god, he gave him eight, nine, ten years. You know, the sky is falling. There might be a few people. I think there
[7:25:46]will be more people that may say that um this was a slap in the face of the people that were the victims in this case, you know, etc., etc., if he really
[7:25:57]deviates down a great deal. So, I think where we end up arriving is still somewhere in the sentencing guidelines. I think we stay there. Now, it's possible. I don't think we're looking at it the wrong way, Jesse. But it's
[7:26:09]possible that despite how we're looking at it, judge being the judge, can say that for some reason, this is an unusual circumstance. I think he's gone through enough. Um, I'm compelled by him saying
[7:26:20]XYZ. Um, he was not convicted of those other crimes. I'm looking at it in light of the crimes that he was actually convicted of, etc., and arrive there. I don't think it happens that way, though.
[7:26:31]>> Him saying, "I want you to make an example of what a person can do if they get another chance." To me that felt like a powerful statement particularly again you go to this idea of the work
[7:26:40]that he's been doing inside and if he we take him at his word he genuinely feels remorseful wants to lead a different life has the opportunity the resources the prestige where people will listen
[7:26:52]and maybe they can change their lives. In that sense if we take it all as true there is a benefit there but it doesn't negate what he did. It doesn't negate what he was convicted of. It doesn't
[7:27:03]negate that there are victims in this case. case. It's not a victimless crime. Um, Sierra, we have this comment from It's Me, Trish. He wasn't worried about his child or his children when he did
[7:27:14]all of this. Why should the judge worry about the child? That's a hard one because if we're talking about children, they're innocent
[7:27:25]in all of this. I mean, none of us really picked our parents. I'm sure Diddy's children, they didn't pick him as a dad. They just kind of, you know, were born and that's what it was. And so the kids are innocent if you're thinking
[7:27:37]about it in that way. They didn't choose their dad. They didn't choose that he would be caught up in all of this and go into the conviction. So if we're looking on that hand and that sort of thing,
[7:27:46]yeah, it is valuable to consider that these kids would be raised without their father and that's tricky. However, to the point of whatever our viewer was who wrote in this question, was P. Diddy
[7:27:57]thinking about his kids when he violated the man act when he did this crime that he's now been convicted of if he really was a great dad. We're showing the video here of him being you know a caring
[7:28:09]father who's a family man. But was he was he thinking about his children when he was going through and you know all of the allegations that we heard at trial a lot. >> So so so sorry to interrupt. I want to
[7:28:20]let you know Judge Subbermanian is back. He has begun officially delivering his sentence. He says to the court, he says to Shawn Combmes at the outset, I want
[7:28:31]you to understand, Mr. Combmes, you are not being sented sentenced for acquitted conduct. So he's not being sentenced for racketeering. He's not being sentenced for sex trafficking. But under 3553,
[7:28:42]which by the way is the federal statute regarding imposition of a sentence under 3553, I must consider many things. Mr. Combmes, you are a self-made artist who
[7:28:52]has inspired community of color. Okay, so we're stopping right there. We're waiting for these updates to come in in real time. Um, Serena, does that like
[7:29:03]I'm going to tell you there's like a butt, right? Yes, you've done many things, but and that might not be good for Shawn Combmes. >> When a judge gives any sort of remarks
[7:29:13]like that, there's always a butt. And when you start hearing good things, be prepared for the flip side because it's coming. Um, and I will say to your earlier comments about turning life
[7:29:24]around, this is a very different type of crime than your typical one-day event. You know, yes, he was a great guy in certain other aspects of his life
[7:29:34]perhaps, but he was living a lifestyle of these crimes. Is very different from a defendant who appears in front of a judge who had one bad day, right? got
[7:29:44]robbed one person, got into a fight with one person and stabbed that person. This was a lifestyle. >> Okay, another update. Judge says, "We saw the video. The free game course in
[7:29:56]the MDC. The court hopes you continue to expand it. You are devoted to your family. The court of course considers the collateral consequences. The court has to consider all of your history
[7:30:06]here." And that's true. By the way, the factors to be considered in imposing a sentence are the this is I'm looking at the statute, the nature and circumstances of the offense, the history and characteristics of the defendant, the need for the sentence to
[7:30:17]be imposed, the kinds of sentences available, the kind of sentence and the sentencing range, uh any pertinent policy statement, the need to avoid unwarranted sentence disparities among
[7:30:28]defendants. So, uh just looking for an update here. Okay. Okay. Here. Okay. A history of good works can't wash away
[7:30:39]the record in this case. You abused these women. You used that abuse to get your way. Freakoffs and hotel nights. The evidence of the abuse is massive. I
[7:30:51]was sitting right here during the testimony. Joe, this isn't good for Shawn Combmes. >> No, it's not good for Shawn Coms because he started off with good stuff and he
[7:31:01]says, "But on the other hand, you know what I mean?" Because to my mind, I mean, it could be different, but a lot of times you start off with the part, not with the part that you're gonna end
[7:31:11]with. You know what I mean? Here's the good news, but here's the bad news, and here we are because of the bad news, as opposed to here's the bad news, and here's the good news, and here's where we are because of the good news. I think
[7:31:22]the order of things may dictate that, you know, he he's he's going to come at him, and it's not going to be a low-end uh type sentence. Sierra, this is very consistent with what we talked about
[7:31:32]before where that video was being played of Shawn Combmes where you look at his history of helping others. You look at his works in the the community. You and I had talked about it. The argument
[7:31:42]would be yes, but at the same time he was committing crimes or after his apology video for Cassie, he was accused of committing crimes. It seems that the judge is being consistent with this. And
[7:31:54]I apologize if I have to cut you off if the judge says something, but your thoughts. No, please do cut me off because I want the updates as much as you do, Jesse,
[7:32:04]and so do our viewers. But I think it's confusing here, right? But two things can be true. He did he can have all the love in the world for his children and he can be a great dad to them, but on
[7:32:15]the other side of the coin, he did commit these acts and it is violence. And I think the thing that was most telling to me from what we've heard, All right, let's hear that update. Sier Sierra, just I'm going to throw it right
[7:32:27]back to you, but this is the judge. This was subjugation. That is the reality of what happened. These offenses irreparably harmed two women. You pied
[7:32:36]them with drugs. Why did it happen so long? You had the power and resources to keep it going. You were more than a John. Again, Sierra, it was the idea of
[7:32:46]this happen so many times. I I said I think that was something the judge was going to consider here. >> And what he said very specifically is that I was sitting right here. I heard
[7:32:58]the testimony. And I think that is what is so vital when we were talking about the way that the judge was going to end up with all of this sentencing is the fact that this it wasn't today he decided it. It wasn't in the three
[7:33:09]months that he had to go through and read all of those letters. No, it was when he was sitting there in the courtroom seeing Cassie and Jane and Nia and all of the testimony there that this
[7:33:19]happened over and over again. It wasn't to your point to what Serena said earlier. This wasn't a one-time thing. This was a pattern of abuse that the prosecution put on and displayed and
[7:33:30]then here we have a conviction. And so I do think that all of this is kind of running through Judge Arun Submarinian's mind as he's coming forth putting down this sentence because I mean it's really hard to ignore.
[7:33:42]>> All right, Judge just this just came in. A significant sentence is required to deter. You say you're sorry and you won't do it again. After Miss Ventur's
[7:33:53]civil lawsuit was filed after the video was public, an investigation started. You had a brutal hotel night with Jane. Punched her in the head.
[7:34:02]Serena, that is the key here. That is something we have talked about during the course of the day. It didn't deter him. There were significant episodes
[7:34:13]that came out after the investigation, after the apology. He was arrested with materials in his hotel room that would indicate a freakoff. I think we're
[7:34:23]looking here at maybe five to seven. I I don't know yet. what can happen any second, but I think we're looking at prison significant prison time here.
[7:34:33]>> Yeah. I mean, I think the judge makes an incredible note that, you know, you've had the chance to deter. You didn't you were not deterred. You were given an opportunity over and over again,
[7:34:43]specifically during the investigation, and you can't be stopped. And if you can't be stopped, I'm going to have to be the one to stop you. >> Yep. Um, and by the way, the judge has
[7:34:55]considered his history. he said about the fact that, you know, he became Shawn Combmes after his father died. That is especially impressive given the early violent death of your father and the
[7:35:06]trauma that must have left. So, he's appreciating all this, but at the same time, he's hitting all the factors and he's talking about the evidence that came out during the course of this trial. He just said, uh, Jane says he
[7:35:16]told her, "Take this pill, go out there, bleep his bleep, bleep him, I don't care." The court is not convinced this would not happen again.
[7:35:27]The court has considered the programs. They are outweighed by the trial record in this case. Now, I'm wondering here,
[7:35:34]Joe, are we talking double digits? I think we're going a little higher. We'll see how high we go. Um, but, you
[7:35:44]know, five to seven at least and and maybe even a little bit more. That's that's that's what it's that's what it's sounding like, you know, and there are there's an argument that the the record
[7:35:54]supports that, you know, Diddy was extra arrogant and the the the length of time, I think, is is incredibly
[7:36:04]persuasive uh and moving for the judge. Obviously, this is not something that happened once or twice and he got his hand caught in the cookie jar. This was built into what Diddy did. this was his
[7:36:15]culture and he was he was truly lawless. You know, just to put it where it really is. And so, you know, uh the judge has been very honest about I don't think
[7:36:24]that this deters you. And you know, I I tell you that that tracks with me. Maybe we're all wrong, but to go off of what we've had happen and had said and had
[7:36:34]done and the trial record, um you know, that's not unreasonable for the judge to say that. I I am wondering also, Serena, I if this is grounds for an appeal where
[7:36:46]the court says we I'm not convict I'm not sentencing you on racketeering or sex. Okay, hold on. Here we go.
[7:36:56]Exploitation and violence against women must be met with real accountability to promote respect for the law. Okay, I'm I'm I Hold on one second. I'm getting
[7:37:06]the sentence right now. Okay, here we go. Oh boy. I'm sweating. >> Exploitation and violence against women must be met with real accountability to
[7:37:16]promote respect for the law. The court reaches a few conclusions. 135 months would be more than necessary. Now, I don't know if that means that that's the actual sentence right now,
[7:37:27]but 135 months is over 11 years in prison. So, over 11 years in prison would be more than necessary. That's what the judge is saying here, Serena. I don't know if that's the official
[7:37:37]sentence as of yet. We're waiting to get confirmation about that. But um what does that say? >> Well, just to throw that number out
[7:37:48]there like that means that at least he was considering the 11 years that the prosecution put forth and maybe even more than that. Uh it sounds like he's kind of tempering it like that is more
[7:37:59]than necessary and it'll be less than the 11. Um but it also sounds like he at least considered it very seriously as an option. Now I'm wondering Sierra, are we
[7:38:09]talking seven years? I mean again it's something we talked about earlier. Maybe the benefit of the family speaking and the benefit of the work that he's done was not to get to 11 years but not to go
[7:38:21]lower than the 5 to seven range. So that may have been the benefit. But um I'm wondering if seven years is what we might be looking at. Again I'm waiting for official confirmation on the
[7:38:32]sentence here. Sierra, >> I think that is possible here that maybe he's saying, "Okay, yes, the prosecution, the government brought
[7:38:42]forward this number of 11 years." Yeah, that is more than necessary based on Oh, we actually have an update, Jesse. I'm going to throw it back to you. >> Yep. A sentence over 11 years is not
[7:38:52]reasonable. So, anybody that thought he would get 20 years, that's not happening. A sentence over 11 years is not reasonable. Even the probation department recommends a sentence less
[7:39:02]than half of that. But 14 months time served, that would not be sufficient. So he has rejected the defense's
[7:39:12]recommendation of 14 months. In other words, Diddy is not getting out of prison. He is not getting out of prison today. When he would, we're waiting. I I
[7:39:23]I'm not It's not like I have these updates and I'm purposely delaying. I'm getting to them in real time. as we are getting them. Sierra, so again, we're
[7:39:32]now looking at between 14 months and 11 years, but I guess again going back to
[7:39:40]this idea of we looking at seven. >> I mean, all speculation as of right now, but I think the most important thing is what you just said there, Jesse. P. Diddy. Sean Combmes is not getting out
[7:39:52]of jail today. And the 14-month recommendation that the defense brought has just been thrown completely out the window. The judge says, "No, that's not sufficient enough." And I think what he's saying could be taken in a couple
[7:40:03]of different ways. One, that the 11 years is sufficient. Yes. I mean, based on your conviction here, because again, remember this is a conviction. 11 years makes sense. It checks out. I agree with
[7:40:14]the prosecution. But to what Serena said earlier, perhaps Oh, and we do have um a new update, Jesse. >> I I think we I think we have the official sentence right now for Shawn
[7:40:25]Diddy Combmes. um after being convicted of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. The judge has just said here the data shows a wide variety of sentences.
[7:40:37]Weighing all of the relevant factors, the court determines that the sentence is 50 months of incarceration. So 50 months of incarceration is a
[7:40:48]little over four years. It's 4.16 years in prison. Now, that is a bit lower than what the range was of 5 to seven years.
[7:40:59]Sierra, let's start there. If I'm if I'm reading this correct, and we're talking 50 months, and I'm waiting for we have another update coming in. I'm just waiting to see what it is. But right now, it appears that Shawn Combmes has
[7:41:10]officially been sentenced to 50 months of incarceration. So, four years in prison. You talk about time served, right? About a year. Are we talking now
[7:41:22]then three years right Sierra? >> Yeah. So about three more years based on the one year that he has already served. And I guess I mean it is a win for P.
[7:41:33]Diddy and that the government asked for 11. You know the recommendation was 5 to7 which a lot of us guessed would happen. I mean yes he wanted to be out
[7:41:43]today. That was his goal. The defense of course wanting the 14 months, but 3 years compared to the 11 that the judge says. Yeah, that's warranted. I mean,
[7:41:54]there's a huge difference in the range there. More than a decade versus less than half of a decade. We've got another update. Jesse, back to you. >> Yeah. Yep. Serena Shawn Combmes was
[7:42:04]sentenced to 50 months of incarceration by Judge Subbermanian. So, a little over four years. That uh minus the 14 months already served. Is that the appropriate
[7:42:14]sentence, Serena? >> Well, I'm sure Diddy is not thrilled to not walk out today, but he should be pretty happy with his defense team because I think the judge giving less
[7:42:25]than half of the prosecutor's recommendation and also less than the what the pre-sentence report had said is a win for him. I I do believe that four
[7:42:36]years is a win in this particular case. >> Joe, what what did it was it his letter? Was it the letters of family? Was it the children speaking? Was it the work that
[7:42:46]he's doing behind bars? Was it the nature of these charges? You know, as much as we say that, look, he he the judge was not convinced to throw out the charges, right? The the defense put
[7:42:57]forward that motion saying transportation to engage in prostitution should be thrown out. This is not prostitution. It's protected by the First Amendment. The judge didn't buy it. But the argument, hey, he wasn't convicted of racketeering. He wasn't
[7:43:08]convicted of sex trafficking. Just the prostitution charges. can't create a disparity based on other defendants who are sentenced. Maybe four years is appropriate and won't be overturned on
[7:43:18]appeal. >> Yeah. I mean, I think he had to position this a certain way. And there's a couple things to figure in. First of all, we got to go back to the fact that the defense did an enormous job in getting
[7:43:28]him off of the most serious charges, right? So, we're talking about something that's going to be smaller and it's going to be less time anyway. Next, there's the probation department recommendation, right? Which put things
[7:43:39]at a certain place. And it sound like even though the judge talked about how 11 years wouldn't have necessarily been unreasonable and he said 14 months would have been entirely unreasonable if I if
[7:43:49]I if if I am hearing it correctly. He still is in line in that he doesn't want to do something that'll necessarily be appealable. Uh and he wants to arrive
[7:44:00]somewhere not too far a field from the recommendations themselves. And so again, here's Diddy in a situation where he did a lot better than he might have.
[7:44:11]Um, and you know, that three years is going to go by in no time. And the day that he was found guilty of most of everything, it ensured that he would have a date that he would get home at some point anyway. So, he will get home.
[7:44:23]He's better off than he may have been than a lot of people would have been, even though he's not coming home today. >> Serena, does he serve the full three years or
[7:44:32]does he serve 85%. In other words, would he serve two and a half years? >> So, there is opportunity for him to get out earlier on good behavior. Um, and so
[7:44:44]the calculation is not exact. And time will tell whether he will be getting out with some time off from the the full three. I know it's a four-year sentence.
[7:44:54]Obviously, the 14 months counts. You already deduct that. I mean, that's definitely coming off uh because he does have credit for the time served. So already it's it's less than the sentence
[7:45:04]that he's getting, the four years. But yeah, he he could very easily be walking out sooner rather than later. So the children will have their father home sooner than they expected. Um and and as
[7:45:16]Joe mentioned before, he can be on his comeback tour, you know, uh in no time. >> Let's just We had a poll up. What do you
[7:45:25]think Diddy's sentence will be? Um, so 31% said less than 5 years. They were correct. >> Um, it's interesting as we're processing
[7:45:35]the sentence of of four years, time served, three maybe 85%, so two and a half, three years uh, to serve behind bars. I wonder if he's actually going to
[7:45:45]now have to serve it at the MDC. Um, because it's a uh, you know, it's a lesser sentence than we were anticipating. I will say the court imposes a fine of $500,000
[7:45:56]including to defay the cost of imprisonment. There is no restitution, but there is forfeite as reflected in the order. There is a $5,000 fine under the statute and a special assessment of
[7:46:07]$200. Sierra, I go to you. Um, this is interesting. Um, because I also wonder what the reaction is going to be outside that courthouse in a few minutes. what
[7:46:18]we're going to hear from the attorneys, what we're going to hear from supporters of Shawn Combmes, what we might be hearing from uh potential victims or people who are uh who are there opposed
[7:46:29]to Shawn Combmes. Are you seeing anything outside since the ver since the sentence has been read? >> You know what's interesting, Jesse? After the verdict came down, you could
[7:46:40]feel it in the air. It was, you know, intense. You could actually feel the emotion. Now that the sentence has been handed down, it seems to me like no one around us actually knows that it was
[7:46:51]handed down. I mean, it did just happen. We're probably one of the first ones to report it at all, but there's been no commotion. There's been no cheering. There's been no free Diddy, you know, in support of Diddy. There's been no
[7:47:03]opposition to Diddy. That has been pretty interesting to me overall. I mean, as far as what we're going to hear from the attorneys, I said this about the verdict, and I'm going to say it about this, too. I think it's a win for
[7:47:13]P. Diddy. I mean, the fact that he was up against this RICO charge, the racketeering conspiracy, had he been convicted of that, he could have faced essentially the rest of his life behind
[7:47:23]bars. Now, he had pretty much the lowest charge that he was convicted of this transportation to engage in prostitution. And now, based on what Serena is saying with the four years and maybe he could serve less based on, you
[7:47:35]know, good behavior, etc. I'm going to say that's a huge win for Diddy, especially when his life was in the balance. And I wonder if that's what we're going to hear. I wonder if prosecutors are going to say, "We asked
[7:47:46]for the 11 years." The judge says it was warranted and yet we didn't get the 11 years. And I wonder if the defense is going to say it's still too much. It's far too long. Get him out with his children. We're going to appeal. I mean,
[7:47:58]so there's still a lot ahead. >> Well, well, first of all, the judge said this is quote hard time, but also indicated that he's gonna have a life after prison. He'll be what, 59, 60
[7:48:09]years old? Potentially. probably 59 years old. Um the judge says, "I want to speak to the strong women who came forward. Miss Ventur and Jane, you've been through trauma we can't imagine. Miss Ventura said it was forced sex and
[7:48:21]degragation. I want to say we heard you. You weren't just speaking to the jurors, but to other victims. You stood up to power. It's not easy. Violence behind closed doors doesn't have to stay secret
[7:48:33]forever. I know you still bear trauma, but you've taught us you don't have to stay a victim." Now, Serena, that is important. That's an important statement from the judge here because there are
[7:48:44]those who will look at this and say this is not enough time that this doesn't recognize what the victims went through in a case like this, particularly
[7:48:54]Cassie, when we talk about the video that was shown. It's felt very deliberate on the part of the judge. But to be clear, to be clear, the prosecution doesn't have grounds to appeal this. Oh, the judge said 11
[7:49:05]years, gave four, they can't fight this, right? Correct. They can't. And I agree with you that it does seem like the judge was issuing a little bit of an apology to
[7:49:16]the women, to Cassie, to the victims for this sentence. Um, which is an interesting point. I mean, the judge obviously knows that unlike most cases, this will be publicized one way or
[7:49:27]another. Um, people will have very strong opinions about the fact that a four-year sentence really calculates to basically like two and a half more years in prison for a diddy. Um, which does
[7:49:39]feel probably to the victims a little bit like a slap on the wrist. So, I do think that that statement was necessary from the judge. I don't know that it's going to fix the feelings that Cassie
[7:49:49]and others may be feeling right now. >> Joe, we have a question from Jane Elaine. Uh, the judge specifically mentioned that he exploited women, but that wasn't the charge. So, does he have grounds to appeal and get the sentence
[7:50:01]overturned? >> No, I don't think I don't think that he will. Um, you know, again, there's a lot of crossover in terms of some of the things that occurred. You know, it is,
[7:50:11]you know, there's an argument there's this is a form of exploitation transforming somebody transferring somebody across straight line state lines transporting them uh for purposes
[7:50:21]of prostitution prostitution. So I I don't think that there will be grounds just because of the words that he used in this context and and again there's a lot of gray area here in terms of the
[7:50:32]crossover between the crimes. There are some larger statements to be made. Not every statement that he made is within the confines of the trial of you know what he was tried and convicted of. So
[7:50:43]in other words if he was to say for instance Diddy you've done some bad things. Well, you know, yeah, he has done some bad things and he's talking generally about the, you know, the fact
[7:50:54]that he's done some things that are reprehensible, etc. So, not every word he's going to use. I think there's an argument that he did exploit women. I think that it is a form of exploitation
[7:51:04]to transport someone across state lines, etc. So, there's not going to be this technical violation for using that word as an example. You think about what he's about to go
[7:51:15]through here, Serena. If you by all accounts, the way that he described it in his letter, you know, today in general, it was hell. I mean, he went
[7:51:24]through a year of hell in that MDC. No, I'm not no sympathy there, but you think about what he's going to go through now. Maybe potentially another three years of
[7:51:35]that, whether it's there or another facility. Um, what is his life going to look like now? Well, MDC is really a hell hole like you mentioned. Um, but the truth of the
[7:51:47]matter is everybody who's incarcerated there goes through that, not just Shawn Diddy Combmes. You know, he does have this platform to kind of educate people now about the prison conditions and jail
[7:51:58]conditions and that's great. Uh, but it's not like he's special. It's not like he's unique. Everybody who gets accused of a crime and detained while facing those charges has to go through
[7:52:08]that. um his life is going to be not so great. I mean, if he goes upstate, it'll probably be better than it is than it has been at MDC, to be honest with you.
[7:52:18]He'll probably have better treatment upstate than he will have than he had at MDC. That being said, you know, obviously he's going to be isolated. He's not going to have his freedom. He's
[7:52:30]not going to have this publicity, you know, where he goes to court and everybody talks about him. So hopefully he'll have some time to reflect on all of this. Maybe he'll do some good back
[7:52:39]there. He'll help some fellow inmates, um, entertain them or whatever else it is. And then when he comes out, hopefully he'll be changed. But it does
[7:52:49]seem like quite a short period of time for him to be able to change behind uh the bars back there. >> Judge Jun Subbermanian just said this to Shawn Combmes um that he's likely in a
[7:53:00]dark place right now, but quote, "There is a light at the end of the tunnel. These letters, all those letters that I saw show that you have a universe of people who love you. Let them lift you
[7:53:11]up now just like you've lifted them up for so many years. Sierra, this is from a human point of view. I have to tell you from a legal point of view, I'll tell you, Judge Arun Suburmanian
[7:53:22]throughout the course of this trial, I was very impressed with his rulings. I was very impressed with his demeanor, how he handled such a highprofile case with difficult subject matter. and to
[7:53:34]take the time to address both Shawn Combmes and to address the victims in this case in a very particular way. It says a lot about this judge and I have to just tell you from a personal point
[7:53:45]of view, I was very impressed with the way that he handled it. Uh what's your take on this? >> It's interesting that you bring that up, Jesse, because today being back here in the Southern District of New York, I'm
[7:53:56]kind of going back in my mind and reviewing the case as a whole. I mean, I know I covered it every day. You did, Elizabeth did. So, we all were kind of immersed in all of this and I was
[7:54:06]thinking about how Judge Aruna Marinian really had the weight of the world on his shoulders today when it comes to the sentencing in terms of how much is at stake and I was thinking back to all the
[7:54:17]rulings that he had previously made and I thought that he was very diplomatic. I mean, I didn't personally see any sort of wild favoritism for one side or another. I thought that it was
[7:54:27]interesting today that he ruled that the victims were victims, that he was going to take into consideration some of the testimony in regards to, you know, the RICO charge, the racketeering
[7:54:38]conspiracy, in regards to this conviction on the transportation to engage in prostitution. But I do think he did a very good job of being fair, addressing Diddy, saying this isn't the
[7:54:48]end of the line for you. You said that you were you had remorse. You said that there was reform. You still can do that. while also acknowledging the huge amount of trauma that these victims have had to
[7:54:58]endure on a public stage, no less. This is, you know, one of the most high-profile cases we've ever covered here on Law and Crime, and I think he did so very eloquently.
[7:55:09]>> So, the judge, uh, by the way, we're later on we're going to have Elizabeth Milner out, uh, and we're going to do a special sidebar episode with her because I want to know what it was like in that courtroom when this sentence was handed
[7:55:21]down. I want to know what it was like when Shawn Combmes delivered his words. Um, so we're definitely going to get her on to talk about that. What I do want to say, uh, I want to thank everybody for coming on and I want to get some final
[7:55:32]thoughts. So, um, Serena, I'll start with you. It's been a long day. It's been a long two years since this all began really. Uh, it's been a long trial. Your thoughts on this?
[7:55:44]>> Well, I think it's the end of a very long chapter, as you said. I think that the trial was um comprehensive. I think the sentencing date was comprehensive. Like I do think that every single box
[7:55:55]was checked throughout this entire experience. It didn't feel rushed. It didn't feel like anybody dropped any balls really. I mean, everybody fought for their side of the argument. And the
[7:56:06]judge, I agree with you, you know, was listening and made rulings throughout that seemed thoughtful um and based on law. So, you look, I I think that the
[7:56:16]judge came in with probably what he expected to say and didn't change what what the sentence he anticipated giving was. Um, I think that the sentence feels
[7:56:26]a little low. Um, but I also understand that the defense did a nice job at making sure that Diddy was not convicted of the worst of the worst and we're left
[7:56:38]with two crimes that really don't carry necessarily the lengthiest of sentences. So, I think the judge tried to balance out everybody's arguments. Um, look at
[7:56:49]the probation report and kind of meet somewhat in the middle, but gave gave Diddy a little bit of a boost there. >> Darling 618 618 asked me, "Jesse, do you think this was fair?" I don't know if
[7:57:00]fair is the word I would use. Do I understand it? Absolutely. Absolutely. This was not going to be a situation where he was going to get 20 years in prison. He wasn't convicted of the most
[7:57:09]serious charges. So without coupling that without tying that to the prostitution charges, it mitigates it. It makes it less of a crime. But the
[7:57:19]amount of times that he did this, the level of violence that was used, the deception that was used, the aggravating factors that contribute to it, I understand that he's not getting out of
[7:57:31]prison today. I I never, you know, the idea of 14 months, it was a it was a stretch. So it seems that from the statements from his family, the work
[7:57:41]that he's been doing, the impact he can have on the outside, it seems that the judge believes him that he can be a force of good on the outside. That even deviating from the five to seven range
[7:57:51]by a year time served, you know, three years, you know, there are people who think it's too low, there's people who think it's too high. I will just say I understand it based on the law. Uh Joe,
[7:58:01]I give you the word. >> As it pertains to my thoughts, um I thought that the judge uh was very fair
[7:58:11]all the way throughout. Uh very thoughtful. Uh did things the right way and showed that he was thoughtful even when it came to this uh uh this final
[7:58:22]decision. um there are victims here um and their job is to get through from day to day even though with what they've gone
[7:58:33]through they may never get over those things and that's something that they that they always have to live with and that my heart goes out to them because of that Denny was morally wrong all day
[7:58:43]long for all of these things um and uh on some level he was legally wrong but he had very good attorneys that ensured that he had a eight. Uh that means that
[7:58:54]one day he will get out. And the final thing that I'll say is that P Daddy actually still has the opportunity to do everything he said he was going to do
[7:59:06]upon being released. It's not happening as soon as he wants it to. But take those same words that he just said to the judge and realize that basically the
[7:59:16]jury has already accepted that on some level in that he was found not guilty on the most serious crimes and he's going to get an opportunity to see if he's
[7:59:27]that guy and he's forever changed and he has learned his lesson. So years from now, we'll be able to have this discussion and say, did he really mean
[7:59:38]what he said at that point or was he saying that just to get out in the moment? Time will tell. He still has every opportunity from a resource standpoint, even though he'll take a
[7:59:50]hit. If he doesn't have resources, he certainly knows how to get them. He can still turn this story into a positive. I don't believe his life is shattered as much as some of the victims are to be
[8:00:01]perfectly honest with you. He has the opportunity to do everything he says he would do if he was released because he's going to be released. So, we'll see.
[8:00:12]>> And let me leave it here. The judge had said to Shawn Combmes, "Your letter said you lost your way, but there's a true path to redemption here. What went wrong and what can be made right?" And the judge told Shawn Combmes, "I'm counting
[8:00:24]on you to make the most of that second chance. Joe Richardson, Serena Townsen, Sierra Gillespie, thank you all so very much for your incredible analysis and
[8:00:35]coverage. And Sierra, also a big shout out. You're out there with me for what, eight hours today. Thank you so much. Really, really do appreciate it. Um, and everyone out there, thank you for
[8:00:46]staying with us for our live coverage of the Shaun Diddy Combmes criminal case. It has been a pleasure to bring it to you. We will be back as always here on Long Crime with the biggest cases. I'm
[8:00:55]Jesse Weber. Have a great night. There we go.
[8:06:07]Mic check. One, two. One, two. >> Good. Mic check one two one two. Mic check one two one2. >> Good. Okay. Mic two. Okay. Sorry. Mic check one two one two. Good.
[8:06:18]>> Okay. Thank you. I feel like I'm
[8:08:34]Thank you. Yeah. Yeah, they are. They are.
[8:09:00]>> Yeah. Why don't you go on the other one? Make them pass. I don't
[8:15:37]Heat. Heat. All right, let's go.
[8:19:30][Music] Go.
[8:20:19]I represent a number of uh alleged victims of Shawn Duty Combmes. I have two civil lawsuits against him for my
[8:20:29]clients who allege that he sexually assaulted them and also I represent number of victims or alleged victims who spoke to law enforcement and
[8:20:40]prosecutors, but the court uh did not allow many of the witnesses who were willing to testify to testify
[8:20:51]probably uh because of judicial economy uh because the trial would have been very long. I don't know. 148
[8:21:01]uh months is what the sentence was. I think the judge was very thoughtful. Uh he didn't do the 11 years that the
[8:21:12]prosecutor wanted and nor did he do the 14 months that uh the defense wanted. So
[8:21:21]Mr. Cons will be in prison for a while. He basically had a lot of good things to
[8:21:29]say. the judge did about uh Mr. Combmes and his contribution to the community over many years
[8:21:40]uh and to racial justice. But on the other hand, uh he has to pay the price for what he
[8:21:50]did. He could have uh he could have had 10 years for each of the two counts of the violation of the man act uh which is
[8:22:01]uh going across state lines uh for the purpose of prostitution. Um so I think all in all he gave the
[8:22:13]sentence that was recommended by the probation uh office and So that's somewhere in between what
[8:22:23]the prosecution wanted and what the defense wanted. So uh it's finally over except that there will
[8:22:33]be appeal of course uh by uh Mr. Comb's very large uh legal team
[8:22:43]and so we'll see what happens on appeal. Yeah, they the the argument was by the defense that uh that really this was
[8:22:55]just watching sex. Uh and uh and so that's free speech. Uh but the judge did
[8:23:04]not agree to that argument. Uh it wasn't about filming. He said you you can't launder uh an illegal act
[8:23:15]>> uh into a constitutional uh right um because that would otherwise be a
[8:23:23]very narrow uh interpretation of the uh of the man act. So it was about commit committing a crime because he pointed
[8:23:34]out that uh Mr. combs had in fact participated
[8:23:43]uh and sometimes had sexual interaction with uh Jane and also with uh Cassie. So it wasn't just about watching, he
[8:23:54]actually participated in it. So I think he's got a good argument and I don't think that the defense has a good argument on appeal. So he could have
[8:24:05]gotten 20 years, 10 years consecutively for each count and now he has 148
[8:24:14]uh months for a sentence. Many of my clients were very concerned that he might walk free by the end of this year. Time served and then a couple
[8:24:25]more months. Uh and they were very much afraid that he would retaliate against them. Um, and so I think that they will be happy that he will be at least in
[8:24:36]prison for a number of years. I think they'll feel comforted on that. Thank you. Okay. All right. Come in.
[8:27:58]We love you, Mama. Love you, Mama. We love you.
[8:28:30]It's moment. Okay.
[8:31:22]Are you like
[8:32:02]kind of crossed over. Yeah.
[8:33:06]No, that's Are you ready?
[8:35:04]Don't let victory.
[8:38:13][Music] I think I'm tight. I think I'm tightening it. There's down
[8:39:00]I don't think I can handle it anymore. I thought about the squirrel. I was
[8:39:35]like, "Wait a second. What are you doing?
[8:40:54]Now I am Don't be
[8:44:26]Sir, the Who
[8:44:36]>> street street is PD? Top PD. We don't >> need PD patrol the street.
[8:45:42]I don't know. Done.
[8:46:31]Did everybody give up? I don't know.
[8:48:58]I I'm going to come back in between
[8:50:38]Let's see. Number
[8:52:46]12. Not that.
[8:53:51]Okay. Good morning.
[8:54:45]That shot was
[8:55:09]I owe you one next. All right.
[8:57:40]when you Heat. Heat. [Music]
[8:58:12][Music]
[8:59:00]They're gone. >> Well, they're not speaking. That means I'm gone. Huh? The cops are breaking down the barriers. They said
[8:59:11]they're not speaking. >> You can hang out. Don't Don't leave. >> Who are they going to protect? >> Hey, I got an Instagram post with you.
[8:59:42]Julie