Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Seeks Judge’s Leniency Before Sentencing

Sean “Diddy” Combs is confronting a possible sentence of over two decades in prison after a high-profile trial in which he faced serious allegations. On October 2, he implored the judge overseeing his case for “mercy” and a chance to redeem himself.

After two months of detailed testimonies and arguments in the New York federal court, jurors dismissed the most severe accusations of sex trafficking and racketeering. This outcome spared the 55-year-old music mogul from a life sentence.

However, he still faces a significant prison term due to his conviction on two counts related to prostitution. His legal team, late Thursday, presented a heartfelt letter from Combs to Judge Arun Subramanian, where he expressed that he is “scared to death” about being separated from his family and vowed to never repeat his past mistakes.

In this three-and-a-half-page letter, Combs reflected, “This has been the hardest 2 years of my life, and I have no one to blame for my current reality and situation but myself.”

He openly apologized for physically assaulting his former girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, who testified about the severe violence and psychological abuse she endured during their decade-long relationship.

Combs acknowledged that images of his assaults replay in his mind, stating, “I literally lost my mind. I was dead wrong for putting my hands on the woman that I loved.”

In a previous letter, Ventura mentioned that she relocated her family away from New York due to fears of “retribution” should Combs be released.

Combs also expressed remorse toward another woman who testified under a pseudonym, Jane, detailing further instances of abuse in their multi-year relationship.

Both women claimed Combs, with assistance from his staff and inner circle, coerced them into sexual activities dubbed “freak-offs,” which included extended sexual encounters with hired individuals he directed and filmed. Notably, Combs did not reference these events in his letter.

‘BROKEN TO MY CORE’

His defense argued that any sexual encounters were consensual and framed the violence as domestic abuse. They successfully persuaded jurors that the prolonged events did not meet the threshold for the most severe charges Combs faced.

Nonetheless, the jury determined that he violated a federal law that prohibits transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution.

In his letter to the judge, he stated, “I am so sorry for the hurt that I caused, but I understand that the mere words ‘I’m sorry’ will never be good enough as these words alone cannot erase the pain from the past.”

Combs attributed his actions to a mixture of drugs, excess, and “selfishness,” claiming that his more than a year spent in a notorious Brooklyn jail has resulted in a “rebirth.” He emphasized, “Prison will change you or kill you – I choose to live.”

Relying on his rags-to-riches journey in entertainment and childhood trauma over losing his father to murder, he recounted the harsh conditions of prison and his journey toward spirituality and sobriety, highlighting his efforts to build positive relationships with fellow inmates.

Combs’s defense argues for his release before the end of 2025. In contrast, the prosecution labels him as “unrepentant” and poses a threat to society, recommending that he serve a minimum of an additional decade.

During the upcoming sentencing hearing, lawyers and at least one witness from the prosecution are anticipated to address the court, with Combs expected to speak directly to the judge as well.

His letter foreshadowed his plea to the court, as he wrote, “I ask you for mercy today, not only for my sake, but for the sake of my children. I can’t change the past, but I can change the future.”

He concluded with, “I have been humbled and broken to my core.”