The Defense's Words Came Back to Bite Sean "Diddy" Combs:

Why the Judge Refused to Release Sean “Diddy” Combs

Devisadaria Duchine-Khauli

Court drawing

Jane Rosenberg of Reuters

2 July 2025

"It happened," Subramanian quoted from a court transcript. "We own the domestic violence. We own it."

That Courtroom Moment

After the verdict came in, clearing Sean "Diddy" Combs of racketeering and sex trafficking, but found him guilty on two counts of the Mann Act, Combs turned to his family exclaiming, “I’m coming home, baby! I’m coming home!” Hours later, Judge Subramanian denied Comb's bail and release. At the judge's announcement, Combs' head sank and his deflation was palpable . He raised his hand, as if to raise a question or protest, and was shut down. Before returning to his cell, he reassured his loved ones, “I’ll see you when I get out.”

Why the Judge Refused to Release Sean “Diddy” Combs

U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian kept Combs behind bars Wednesday, denying a $1 million bail request. Although the verdict cleared Combs of the more serious crimes of sex‑trafficking and racketeering charges, he was convicted on two counts under the Mann Act (transporting individuals for prostitution). Subramanian emphasized that Combs’ defense had admitted to Combs' violence during closing arguments, underscoring Combs’ “disregard for the rule of law and a propensity for violence.”

The judge added that Combs’ past domestic violence incidents, including a 2016 altercation with Cassie Ventura and a 2024 incident involving another woman, reinforced his view that Combs remained a potential danger if released.  

Judge Arun Subramanian quote -

" You full-throatedly in your closing argument told the jury that there was violence here, and domestic violence is violence...Even if the defense had to prove he poses no danger to the community, he failed."

The influence of Cassie's letter to Judge Arun Subramanian

Cassie Ventura’s lawyer submitted letter, signed by Ventura to Judge Arun Subramanian before his ruling, urging him to deny the defense’s request to release Sean “Diddy” Combs from custody. The letter cited concerns that Combs posed a potential danger to her, other victims, and the broader community. The letter may have had an impact on the judge's decision to keep Combs in custody.

Sentencing is set for 3 October  2025. Each conviction carries a sentence of 10 years, and up to 20 years total, though prosecutors have requested 51–63 months (about 4–5 years). The defense is arguing for a lighter 21–27‑month term, crediting time already served .