OJ Simpson’s lawyer believes Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs could face “substantial” sentence
Sean ‘Diddy‘ Combs was found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution last week. Not long after the verdict, OJ Simpson’s lawyer has weighed in on how long he thinks the Bad Boy rapper will spend behind bars.
Robert Shapiro was the first member and initial chair of OJ Simpson’s defence team, who successfully defended him against charges of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Simpson, and Ron Goldman in 1994.
Combs’ two counts carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in jail, and Shapiro thinks his lack of bail isn’t a good sign for him.
“I have to look into a crystal ball,” he told Fox News. “And this is going to be a call that only one person is going to make. Many times we will rely on a probation report or a pre-sentence report where they calculate the guidelines.
“Whether or not he had a criminal history, I don’t know. That could raise it. But, having said that and having seen that this judge did not release him on bail, I think a message may be coming that you’re going to be spending a lot more time, so no reason to let you come out and come back in.”
He added, “If the judge looks at that tape in his mind and is reminded about it again… I think there is a real chance that a substantial sentence will be forthcoming.”
Combs was denied a $1 million bond request following the verdict. Judge Arun Subramanian stated, “Even if the defendant was solely required to show that he is not a danger to the community, he could not meet that burden.
“Prior to trial, the court denied bail, and sees no reason to reverse that now. The defence conceded the defendant’s violence. His violence is depicted in the video of Cassie Ventura. The defence admitted, ‘This is a terrible moment, domestic violence is the issue,’ is what she said. It wasn’t only that.
“There was the London Hotel incident. There was violence after the searches in this case. As to Jane, there was June 2024 – after the searches of Combs’ residences. This evidences a disregard for the law and a propensity for violence.”
Combs dodged a life sentence by being acquitted of racketeering and two counts of sex trafficking.