"He rolled the dice and won"- Mark Geragos makes claim about Diddy's appeal for immediate release from prison

Attorney Mark Geragos suggested there was a possibility that Sean “Diddy” Combs could be released from prison immediately. Although Geragos is not formally representing Combs in the federal case, a NewsNation report dated December 26, 2025, noted that the high-profile defense attorney remains closely connected to the situation.

For context, the report stated that Combs’ legal team urged a New York federal appeals court on late Tuesday, December 23, to overturn Diddy's conviction. At a minimum, the attorneys asked the court to direct the trial judge to reduce his four-year sentence.

Drawing on his prior work with Combs and his familiarity with the case, Geragos (as per NewsNation) offered pointed commentary on the latest legal strategy. He said the appeal filed by Combs’ legal team had “potential” and could even result in the rapper’s immediate release from prison.

Expanding on his position, Geragos explained why he believed the sentence was unjust. He argued that Combs had effectively “rolled the dice” at trial, successfully defeating counts that carried life-altering consequences, only to see his sentence enhanced based on conduct the jury had ultimately rejected.

“Remember, when he was convicted of these two Mann Act violations… He won against the counts that carried a mandatory life sentence and would have basically forfeited his entire fortune. So he rolled the dice and won, and then he was enhanced in his sentence by the very conduct he was acquitted of. I think that’s fundamentally unfair,” Geragos explained.

Geragos further argued that the prosecution should bear responsibility for what he characterized as overcharging.

In his view, fairness required not just a reduced sentence, but Diddy's immediate release, a stance he underscored by expressing his personal regard for the rapper and his belief in a different outcome.

“In fact, if we want to talk about fairness, I think the prosecution should be penalized for overcharging him in the first place, and he should have been immediately released. That’s just me. I have great affection, and I think that’s the just result,” he added.

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What else do we know about Sean “Diddy” Combs’ appeal for immediate release from prison?

Sean Diddy Combs (Image via Getty Images)

According to a BBC News report dated December 24, 2025, Sean “Diddy” Combs sought relief from a federal appeals court. The request was made through an expedited appeal, marking the latest legal effort by the music mogul’s team to reduce or erase his sentence.

In the court filing, Combs’ attorney argued that the rapper was improperly sentenced. Attorney Alexandra Shapiro sharply criticized the sentence, arguing that it violated both constitutional and legal standards. As per the BBC report, she called Combs’ 50-month prison sentence “unlawful, unconstitutional, and a perversion of justice.”

Shapiro further asked the appellate panel to intervene even if it declined to fully overturn the conviction, requesting that the case be sent back for resentencing. She urged the court to order that Combs be resentenced should it choose not to vacate the conviction in its entirety.

Additionally, the appeal followed months of litigation stemming from a high-profile federal trial in New York, where prosecutors accused Sean Diddy Combs of using his wealth and influence to coerce women into unwanted sexual encounters.

During the trial, the jurors weighed in on the testimony from Diddy's previous partners: Cassie Ventura and another woman identified as “Jane Doe.” They claimed Combs abused them and pressured them into participating in what were described as “freak-offs” involving male escorts.

While the jury acquitted Combs of the most serious allegations, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, it convicted him on two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution purposes.

Following the verdict, Combs’ lawyers signaled their intent to appeal. In September, they asked US District Judge Arun Subramanian to set aside the conviction or grant a new trial, arguing that prosecutors improperly applied the Mann Act. That request was denied.

Ahead of sentencing, Combs’ attorneys pushed for a minimal punishment that would effectively amount to time served, a move that could have allowed for his immediate release. Prosecutors, however, sought a much harsher penalty, asking the court to impose a sentence of at least 11 years.

Judge Subramanian ultimately sentenced Combs to more than four years in prison.

In explaining his decision, the judge acknowledged Combs’ charitable efforts and the letters submitted on his behalf but emphasized that a record of good deeds could not erase past conduct, noting that “a history of good works” did not outweigh the seriousness of the offenses.

Additionally, as per the BBC report, beyond the criminal case, Diddy continues to face dozens of civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault, r*pe, and sexual exploitation.

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Following an eight-week federal trial in New York, Diddy received a sentence of 50 months in prison, along with a $500,000 fine and five years of supervised release. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, he was expected to be released on May 25, 2028, bringing the high-profile case to a close (as per NBC News)

Additionally, as per the aforementioned BBC report, the Southern District of New York, which prosecuted Sean “Diddy” Combs, declined to comment on the request submitted to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals regarding the rapper’s appeal for immediate release.

Edited by Shayari Roy