NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 15: Sean "Diddy" Combs attends Sean "Diddy" Combs Album Release Party For "The Love Album: Off The Grid" on September 15, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images)
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs isn’t going down without pulling all the stops. His defense pushed for the judge to overturn his convictions. On Tuesday, the judge basically said “nah.” He declined to rewrite Diddy’s “illegal” activity as an amateur pornographer’s work. Still, his defense didn’t let up, sending the judge a slew of character support and sentencing recommendation letters from Combs’ family, industry peers, and even his former public baes.
At the final hour, Diddy himself is coming forward. He submitted a letter asking for mercy and explaining he’s a “changed” man. His team released an 11-minute documentary-style video depicting Diddy’s personal and professional accomplishments. And today, he spoke in the courtroom for the first time. He did not testify during the trial.
Prosecutors wanted at least 11 years and three months behind bars for violating the Mann Act, while his defense sought 14 months. Ultimately, it was in Judge Arun Subramanian’s hands and he opted for prison time. Keep reading for a play-by-play of what went down in the courtroom!
Six of Diddy’s seven children, including his stepson, Quincy Brown, stepped to the podium to support their dad. Combs’ youngest daughter, Love, is only two years old. Aside from Quincy, Christian, Justin, Chance, and twins D’Lila and Jessie spoke in court.
According to AP, they crowded the podium, asking the judge to give their dad a second chance. The eldest, Quincy, said his father “has learned a lesson.” Brown claimed that the family has seen him evolve, adding, “He is completely transformed.”Meanwhile, Justin said:
“My father is my superhero. Seeing him broken down and stripped of everything is something I will never forget.”
Additionally, Justin Combs suggested that, as tough as the situation has been, it probably saved his fathers life. During his year in jail, Justin said Diddy has kicked his drug and alcohol habits. Chance and DLila Combs cried as they read prepared remarks. DLila said she fears losing their father to prison and effectively being parentless. Her, Jessie, Christian, and Quincy’s mother, Kim Porter, died in late 2018.
“We are tired of being strong. We have already lost so much. We have lost our mother, we have lost time with our father, and every day he remains incarcerated, we lose more and more. Please, your honor, please,” DLila Combs said, crying, “give our family the chance to heal together, to rebuild, to change, to move forward, not as a headline, but as human beings. Were trying to do better.”
Chance Combs said, “Instead of making excuses, my father now works on ways to improve.” Meanwhile, Christian Combs said their dad has become “more patient, more relaxed, more trusting, more understanding and just a better man” while in jail.
“Please give my family grace. Please let my father out,” Christian Combs said. “Please give him mercy.”
Afterward, the judge thanked the Combs kids for their statements. “I know how hard it was to stand up here and tell me those things, but it’s important for me to hear,” he said.
Diddy’s kids weren’t the only ones emotional in court. Combs himself showed signs of distress while his children spoke. At times, he shook his head. And when seemingly upset, he dropped his head down and ran his hands through his grey hair.
After the children finished speaking, his defense played the 11-minute life montage video in court. Clips in it showed Diddy with his children or trying to inspire others, particularly children, in public settings. Several minutes into the video, Combs rubbed half his face and began crying. His shoulders were heaving at times. Then, he wiped his eyes with one hand before taking a tissue and doing the same. See the full video below.
As planned, Diddy was the last person to address the judge today. Wearing glasses, he looked over his papers and exhaled before speaking. He started by thanking the official for allowing him to “finally speak up for [himself].” Diddy then apologized to Cassie directly and to all the other victims of domestic violence.
“One of the hardest things that Ive had to handle is having to be quiet. Not being able to express how sorry I am for my actions,” Combs told the court, per CNN. “I want to personally apologize again to Cassie Ventura for any harm or hurt that Ive caused her emotionally or physically.”
He then apologized to DV victims, highlighting the “disgusting, deplorable video” and how it triggered people around the world. “Domestic violence will always be a heavy burden that I will forever carry,” Combs added.
Aside from losing his businesses and career, Combs said he lost his self-respect. “I’ve been humbled and broken to my core. I hate myself right now. I got stripped down to nothing.”
Sean also addressed and apologized to his seven kids, saying they “deserve better.” Then, he turned to his mother, Janice Combs. His voice reportedly broke when he apologized and admitted to failing her as a son.
“You taught me better. You rased me better. I know to whom so much is given, so much is expected. I failed my community.”
As a child, Diddy said, he wanted to be the “shining example” of what people of color could do, from owning businesses to creating wealth. Instead, Combs said he “got lost.”“I’m not this bad person. I’m sorry to my community for letting y’all down.”
Turning to the judge, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs openly asked and then begged “for mercy.” He said he can’t change his past but pledges to change his future. He also asked for another chance to be a father, son, and community leader and get the help he needs.
“I dont have nobody to blame but myself. I know Ill never put my hands on another person again. I know that Ive learned my lesson. Im willing to comply with any conditions the court puts upon me. Given a chance, when we talk about the possibility of me sharing my story, its not just a scheme to try to get less time its that this story is real, this story is tragic,” Diddy reportedly said.
Before ending his statements, he thanked his kids again and told the judge they were his deterrent. He pleaded that he would never jeopardize being in the same situation, knowing his family needed him.
“I know, the prosecution wants you to make an example of me. I just want you to think about making an example of what a person can do if they get another chance,” Diddy said. “If you give me another chance, I wont let you down. And the evidence of that is those beautiful children that got up there and spoke for me.”
After Diddy spoke, the court took a five-minute break. Sentencing came next.
After greetings, the presentation of changes, and a lil’ warning for defense, Judge Subramanian revealed his mindset regarding sentencing terms. He reviewed objections from both sides to the presentencing reports. And, he determined that the conduct Diddy was acquitted of can still be considered in his sentence. Evidence from the trial that involves the transportation of Cassie, “Jane,” and male sex workers will also be considered. Additionally, the judge implied Diddy’s challenge to the factual guilt in his case is a red flag.
“In general, the narrative that he and his attorneys have put forth that this case involves nothing more than adults paying for time, not sex is flatly inconsistent with both reality…” the judge reportedly said.
Also, the judge reminded the court that Diddy organized the sex parties, hired the escorts, and used his money to pay them. To the judge, Combs has “expressed remorse for some things.” However, he hasn’t done so for his conviction of arranging travel for escorts and his girlfriends to engage in paid lewd acts.
“Combs has challenged his factual guilt full-throatedly, and has even done so after trial,” the judge said, per CNN.
The advisory sentence from the court’s probation department for Diddy’s case is between 70 and 87 months. That adds up to five years and 10 months to seven years and three months in prison. According to CNN, the judge said he does not see a reason to stray from that recommendation. He declined to add enhancements recommended by prosecutors that would warrant nine to 11 years. Also, the judge cited guidelines that could mean Diddy pays a fine of $25,000 to $250,000. We will not know FOR SURE until later today.
For additional live updates from the hearing, keep reading below.
On the eve of his sentencing, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs wrote to the judge proclaiming himself to be a new man after realizing he was “broken to my core.” Click below to see the full letter.
Associated Press Michael R. Sisak, Larry Neumeister, Jennifer Peltz, and other staff contributed to this report via AP Newsroom.
