Sean “Diddy” Combs wins approval for expedited appeal process

Last month, Sean “Diddy” Combs was officially sent to prison, where he is currently serving a sentence of about 50 months. His legal team is appealing the case, and it appears that a judge has already ruled in favor of the entertainment mogul.

At the end of last month, Diddy’s lawyers filed a motion for an expedited appeal of his sentence, arguing that a faster appeals schedule was necessary to ensure that the star would not serve more time than required, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

“An accelerated schedule for briefing and arguments is essential to ensure that Combs’ appeal of his sentence does not become meaningless while the appeal is pending,” said defense attorney Alexandra Shapiro.

Shapiro stated that her client has already served 14 months of his 50-month sentence and could see his sentence reduced by another 12 months if a prior transfer request is granted and if Combs completes the Residential Drug Abuse Program for inmates with substance abuse issues.

After the sentencing, Diddy’s lawyers made it clear that the entertainment mogul planned to appeal. Diddy himself responded to the sentencing with a letter to the judge.

“In my life, I’ve made many mistakes, but I’m not running from them anymore,” Combs wrote in a letter to the judge before his sentencing.

“I’m deeply sorry for the pain I caused, but I understand that the simple words ‘I’m sorry’ will never be enough, because those words alone can’t erase the pain of the past.”

This week, U.S. Circuit Court Judge Beth Robinson approved Diddy’s request for an expedited appeals process, according to NBC News.

She stated that Combs’ brief must be submitted by December 23, the U.S. government’s brief by February 20, and Combs’ reply by March 13. Although the process will take several months, it is still considered accelerated.