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.
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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 might speak in the courtroom for the first time. He did not testify during the trial.
It’s all in Judge Arun Subramanian’s hands now. Prosecutors want at least 11 years and three months behind bars for violating the Mann Act. His defense is seeking 14 months. Their argument? He’s suffered enough.
Diddy’s Children Give Emotional Statements In Court (LIVE UPDATE)
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 father’s life. During his year in jail, Justin said Diddy has kicked his drug and alcohol habits. Chance and D’Lila Combs cried as they read prepared remarks. D’Lila 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,” D’Lila 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. We’re 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.
For additional live updates from the hearing, keep reading below.
Diddy Sobs During 11-Minute Documentary Video (LIVE UPDATE)
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.
For additional live updates from the hearing, keep reading below.
Sean Combs Addresses Court For The FIRST TIME (LIVE UPDATE)
Judge Accepts Recommendation Of 70-87 Months In Prison (LIVE UPDATE)
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.
OTHER MOMENTS FROM INSIDE THE COURTROOM (LIVE UPDATES)
- Diddy Arrives at Court: Sean Combs arrived at the courthouse from the Metro Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he’s been locked up since his arrest in September 2024. The same judge ruling today denied him bail two times, leading up to this point. In a show of grace, Judge Subramanian did allow Diddy to wear non-jail clothes. According to the Associated Press, he’s wearing a light-colored sweater over a button-down shirt and dark-colored slacks. He hugged some of his lawyers and waved to his supporters and family in the courtroom. His hair is reportedly grayer and whiter than usual, given that he’s not allowed to use hair dye in jail.
- “Mia” Will Not Speak Today, Judge Gives Warning: Diddy and the judge exchanged “good mornings.” Prosecutors announced that “Mia” wouldn’t speak today, as expected, due to a “bullying” letter that the defense submitted. The judge agreed that the letter’s tone was “inappropriate” and warned the defense. “Mia” was a trial witness who testified under a pseudonym and previously worked for Diddy. She testified to experiencing rape and abuse and witnessing violence. “Mia” was the only victim scheduled to speak in court today.
- Judge Names Who Can Speak: Diddy’s children and Dr. Reverend Johnson will be allowed to speak. His lawyers are also pushing to hear from doctors who have treated the 55-year-old while he’s been locked up.
RELATED: Moment Of Truth! Diddy Pens Letter To Judge Asking For “Second Chance” Ahead Of His Sentencing (SEE HERE)
- Prosecutors Present Argument For 11-Year Sentence: Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik argued that their sentencing recommendation “reflects the conduct appropriately.” Slavik questioned whether Diddy is really a changed man as he claims, while reminding the court that “his victims don’t have the luxury of moving on so easily. They’re still picking up the pieces.” Admitting to violence as part of a defense strategy is not accountability, she said — a substantial prison sentence is. Recalling Diddy beating Cassie in a hotel hallway, Slavik asked the court to imagine “how much worse” his violent outbursts were “behind closed doors.” She added, “This is not a person who has accepted responsibility.”
- Defense Claps Back At Mann Act: Attorney Jason Driscoll started by recapping the defense’s argument that the Mann Act. He claimed prosecutors should have never applied it to Sean Combs. Driscoll argued that Mann Act prosecutions generally have targeted people accused of making money off their conduct. He asserted that Combs “did not make a single cent” from what he was convicted of doing. Meanwhile, Attorney Nicole Westmoreland argued that Diddy’s life has inspired the Black community, and she became emotional as she explained his influence on her. Westmoreland also pointed to a course Diddy taught in jail.
Recap Of Sean Combs’ Letter Plea To Judge
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.
Moment Of Truth! Diddy Pens Letter To Judge Asking For “Second Chance” Ahead Of His Sentencing (SEE HERE)
Associated Press Michael R. Sisak, Larry Neumeister, Jennifer Peltz, and other staff contributed to this report via AP Newsroom.
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