Judge Arun Subramanian said he does not believe Sean Combs is taking full responsibility for his prostitution-related conduct.
“Combs has challenged his factual guilt full-throatedly,” Subramanian said. He said the music mogul has not demonstrated remorse for the crimes for which he was convicted.
Combs was found guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution in connection with his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, and guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution in connection with another ex-girlfriend, who testified under the pseudonym “Jane.”
Subramanian also said he will consider some of the conduct for which Combs was acquitted when he imposes his sentence.
Combs was found not guilty of racketeering conspiracy, the most serious charge. He was also found not guilty of both charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion.
“The court can consider acquitted conduct for any reason other than changing the guidelines range,” the judge said.
While the acquitted counts cannot be considered to determine Combs’ possible sentencing range, Subramanian said the testimony and evidence related to those counts are relevant context to demonstrate the force Combs used to carry out the prostitution-related crimes.
“There is no doubt that this evidence counts as coercion,” he added. “There were threats of bodily harm in this case.”
Subramanian also said that he plans to consider as victims in this case the seven escorts who Combs said he paid for entertainment. The judge said Combs was clearly the organizer of “freak-offs” and hotel nights and paid for the escorts, and should be responsible for the conduct.
“The definition of victim is expansive,” he said.
Earlier in the hearing, prosecutors sought to push back on defense lawyers’ attempt to have multiple people testify about Combs’ character during the sentencing, arguing it distracts from the victims in the case.
“The defense is trying to drown out the voice of victims in favor of character witnesses,” a prosecutor argued.
Subramanian will allow Combs’ children and pastor to speak.
Source: abc news
