Ahead of his scheduled Oct. 3 sentencing, Sean "Diddy" Combs' defense attorney is characterizing his sex crimes as "commercial voyeurism" rather than prostitution.

In Manhattan federal court on Thursday, Sept. 25, his attorney Alexandra Shapiro challenged Combs' conviction, urging Judge Arun Subramanian to overturn the jury's verdict.

Combs and his legal team's court appearance comes two months after a jury delivered a split verdict on July 2. The rapper and former music executive was found guilty of two counts of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution but was acquitted on the most serious sex crimes charges, including three counts of racketeering and sex-trafficking charges.

A 12-member jury of New Yorkers found that Combs had paid escorts to cross state lines to engage in sexual activity with his ex-girlfriends. Two of them testified that Combs was violent toward them and threatened to cut them off financially if they did not do his bidding.

Mirroring what Combs' team previously argued during his two-month trial, Shapiro on Sept. 25 characterized his former partners as consenting participants in days-long sex marathons and said the government should not criminalize sexual activity between consenting adults.

"What we're left with is a case about adults who traveled interstate and participated in a threesome," Shapiro said.

Prosecutor Meredith Foster argued whether or not the Bad Boy Records founder took parts in the sex acts was not relevant because he arranged the male escorts' travel accommodations and coerced his former girlfriends into sexual acts.

Prosecutor Christy Slavik said the women – including singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura and his ex-lover who went by the pseudonym "Jane" – experienced "secondary effects" of prostitution despite the conduct occurring behind closed doors.

"Ms. Ventura was getting punched in the face. Jane was getting hit and kicked. The defendant was providing drugs to all parties," Slavik said.

After hearing from both sides, Subramanian said he would issue a decision "very soon."

When was Diddy arrested? When did he go to jail?

Combs was arrested on sex trafficking charges on Sept. 16, 2024. The following day, he pleaded not guilty to all charges.

He has been jailed at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, ever since, despite multiple requests to be released on bail.

Sean Combs charges: What was the Diddy verdict?

While Combs was acquitted on three counts of racketeering and sex trafficking charges, he was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.

How much time could Diddy spend in prison?

Each count of transportation to engage in prostitution holds a maximum sentence of 10 years, tallying up to a possible 20 years in prison for Combs.

However, he'll likely face less time based on previous court filings from the defense and prosecution.

Combs' lawyers have suggested a 14-month sentence that would see him released soon, as he has already served prison time for over a year. Prosecutors must to file their own sentencing recommendation by Sept. 29.

Will Diddy's sentencing hearing be televised?

Just like the trial, the Oct. 3 sentencing hearing will not be televised.

Because Combs faces federal criminal charges, the presence of "electronic media" is expressly banned by a procedural rule passed in 1946.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish at: 800.656.HOPE (4673) and Hotline.RAINN.org and en Español RAINN.org/es.

Contributing: Luc Cohen and Jack Queen, Reuters; Anna Kaufman, Taijuan Moorman, KiMi Robinson, Brendan Morrow and Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Diddy's lawyer says he engaged in 'voyeurism,' should have verdict overturned

Reporting by Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect