Prosecutors want Sean "Diddy" Combs to go to prison for over 11 years following his conviction on , arguing to a New York judge that one of his accusers lives in fear of his release from detention.
“His crimes of conviction are serious and have warranted sentences over ten years in multiple cases for defendants who, like Sean Combs, engaged in violence and put others in fear,” they wrote in a presentence submission recommending 135 months in jail. Sentencing is set for Friday.
The document also had several letters from some of his accusers, including ex-girlfriend , describing how they live in fear of "swift retribution" from Combs after they spoke up about the abuse at trial.
I still have nightmares and flashbacks on a regular, everyday basis, and continue to require psychological care to cope with my past," Ventura wrote in the letter obtained by "My worries that Sean Combs or his associates will come after me and my family is my reality. I have in fact moved my family out of the New York area and am keeping as private and quiet as I possibly can because I am so scared that if he walks free, his first actions will be swift retribution towards me and others who spoke up about his abuse at trial.
"As much progress as I have made in recovering from his abuse, I remain very much afraid of what he is capable of and the malice he undoubtedly harbors towards me for having the bravery to tell the truth," she continued in the three-page letter.
Prosecutors called Combs “unrepentant” and said he had conceded his acts of violence and abuse throughout his trial but “incredibly, ... he now argues that his victims should shoulder the blame."
The music mogul's last week arguing that the artist has been punished enough and urged Judge Arun Subramanian to sentence him to no more than 14 months in jail.
In court papers reviewed by The Associated Press, defense lawyers portrayed the music mogul as reformed. They said he is "a humbled man who understands that the most important things in life are his devotion to and quality time with his family and his contributions for the benefit of others."
If the judge accepts the recommendation, it means Combs would be free less than two months after sentencing on Oct. 3, since he has already spent more than a year in a Brooklyn jail.
The Bad Boy Records founder was exonerated on more serious racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges that would have required a minimum of 15 years in prison and the possibility of a life sentence.
His lawyers have continuously argued throughout the case that the sexual encounters referred to as "freak offs" or "hotel nights" were consensual and that Combs had no financial motive.
Combs was denied bail after asking to be released on a . His lawyer argued that the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn is dangerous, adding that others convicted of similar prostitution-related offenses were usually released before sentencing.
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Editor's note: The Associated Press contributed to this article.
[SRC] https://nbcmontana.com/news/nation-world/prosecutors-seek-over-11-years-in-prison-for-sean-diddy-combs-citing-victims-fear-of-retribution-cassie-ventura-freak-offs-hotel-nights-new-york-brooklyn-jail-sentencing-prostitution-related-charges
