Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs isn’t happening with out pulling all of the stops. His protection pushed for the decide to overturn his convictions. On Tuesday, the decide principally stated “nah.” He declined to rewrite Diddy’s “unlawful” exercise as an novice pornographer’s work. Nonetheless, his protection didn’t let up, sending the decide a slew of character help and sentencing advice letters from Combs’ household, trade friends, and even his former public baes.
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On the closing hour, Diddy himself is coming ahead. He submitted a letter asking for mercy and explaining he’s a “modified” man. His staff launched an 11-minute documentary-style video depicting Diddy’s private {and professional} accomplishments. And at present, he spoke within the courtroom for the primary time. He didn’t testify through the trial.
It’s all in Choose Arun Subramanian’s fingers now. Prosecutors need a minimum of 11 years and three months behind bars for violating the Mann Act. His protection is searching for 14 months. Their argument? He’s suffered sufficient.
Diddy’s Youngsters Give Emotional Statements In Court docket (LIVE UPDATE)
Six of Diddy’s seven kids, together with his stepson, Quincy Brown, stepped to the rostrum to help their dad. Combs’ youngest daughter, Love, is simply two years outdated. Apart from Quincy, Christian, Justin, Likelihood, and twins D’Lila and Jessie spoke in court docket.
In line with AP, they crowded the rostrum, asking the decide to present their dad a second probability. The eldest, Quincy, stated his father “has realized a lesson.” Brown claimed that the household has seen him evolve, including, “He’s utterly reworked.” In the meantime, Justin stated:
“My father is my superhero. Seeing him damaged down and stripped of all the pieces is one thing I’ll always remember.”
Moreover, Justin Combs prompt that, as robust because the scenario has been, it in all probability saved his father’s life. Throughout his 12 months in jail, Justin stated Diddy has kicked his drug and alcohol habits. Likelihood and D’Lila Combs cried as they learn ready remarks. D’Lila stated she fears dropping their father to jail and successfully being parentless. Her, Jessie, Christian, and Quincy’s mom, Kim Porter, died in late 2018.
“We’re bored with being robust. We now have already misplaced a lot. We now have misplaced our mom, we have now misplaced time with our father, and every single day he stays incarcerated, we lose increasingly more. Please, your honor, please,” D’Lila Combs stated, crying, “give our household the prospect to heal collectively, to rebuild, to vary, to maneuver ahead, not as a headline, however as human beings. We’re making an attempt to do higher.”
Likelihood Combs stated, “As a substitute of creating excuses, my father now works on methods to enhance.” In the meantime, Christian Combs stated their dad has turn out to be “extra affected person, extra relaxed, extra trusting, extra understanding and only a higher man” whereas in jail.
“Please give my household grace. Please let my father out,” Christian Combs stated. “Please give him mercy.”
Afterward, the decide thanked the Combs children for his or her statements. “I understand how onerous it was to face up right here and inform me these issues, but it surely’s essential for me to listen to,” he stated.
For added stay updates from the listening to, hold studying under.
Diddy Sobs Throughout 11-Minute Documentary Video (LIVE UPDATE)
Diddy’s children weren’t the one ones emotional in court docket. Combs himself confirmed indicators of misery whereas his kids spoke. At occasions, he shook his head. And when seemingly upset, he dropped his head down and ran his fingers by means of his gray hair.
After the youngsters completed talking, his protection performed the 11-minute life montage video in court docket. Clips in it confirmed Diddy together with his kids or making an attempt to encourage others, notably kids, in public settings. A number of minutes into the video, Combs rubbed half his face and started crying. His shoulders have been heaving at occasions. Then, he wiped his eyes with one hand earlier than taking a tissue and doing the identical. See the total video under.
For added stay updates from the listening to, hold studying under.
Sean Combs Addresses Court docket For The FIRST TIME (LIVE UPDATE)
As deliberate, Diddy was the final individual to deal with the decide at present. Sporting glasses, he seemed over his papers and exhaled earlier than talking. He began by thanking the official for permitting him to “lastly communicate up for [himself].” Diddy then apologized to Cassie immediately and to all the opposite victims of home violence.
“One of many hardest issues that I’ve needed to deal with is having to be quiet. Not having the ability to categorical how sorry I’m for my actions,” Combs instructed the court docket, per CNN. “I need to personally apologize once more to Cassie Ventura for any hurt or harm that I’ve triggered her – emotionally or bodily.”
He then apologized to DV victims, highlighting the “disgusting, deplorable video” and the way it triggered individuals around the globe. “Home violence will at all times be a heavy burden that I’ll perpetually carry,” Combs added.
Apart from dropping his companies and profession, Combs stated he misplaced his self-respect. “I’ve been humbled and damaged to my core. I hate myself proper now. I acquired stripped right down to nothing.”
Sean additionally addressed and apologized to his seven children, saying they “deserve higher.” Then, he turned to his mom, Janice Combs. His voice reportedly broke when he apologized and admitted to failing her as a son.
“You taught me higher. You raised me higher. I do know to whom a lot is given, a lot is predicted. I failed my group.”
As a toddler, Diddy stated, he needed to be the “shining instance” of what individuals of shade might do, from proudly owning companies to creating wealth. As a substitute, Combs stated he “acquired misplaced.” “I’m not this dangerous individual. I’m sorry to my group for letting y’all down.”
Turning to the decide, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs brazenly requested after which begged “for mercy.” He stated he can’t change his previous however pledges to vary his future. He additionally requested for an additional probability to be a father, son, and group chief and get the assistance he wants.
“I don’t have no person guilty however myself. I do know I’ll by no means put my fingers on one other individual once more. I do know that I’ve realized my lesson. I’m keen to adjust to any situations the court docket places upon me. Given an opportunity, once we discuss the opportunity of me sharing my story, it’s not only a scheme to attempt to get much less time — it’s that this story is actual, this story is tragic,” Diddy reportedly stated.
Earlier than ending his statements, he thanked his children once more and instructed the decide they have been his deterrent. He pleaded that he would by no means jeopardize being in the identical scenario, figuring out his household wanted him.
“I do know, the prosecution needs you to make an instance of me. I simply need you to consider making an instance of what an individual can do in the event that they get one other probability,” Diddy stated. “When you give me one other probability, I gained’t allow you to down. And the proof of that’s these stunning kids that acquired up there and spoke for me.”
After Diddy spoke, the court docket took a five-minute break. Sentencing is predicted subsequent.
Choose Accepts Suggestion Of 70-87 Months In Jail (LIVE UPDATE)
After greetings, the presentation of modifications, and a lil’ warning for protection, Choose Subramanian revealed his mindset relating to sentencing phrases. He reviewed objections from either side to the presentencing stories. And, he decided that the conduct Diddy was acquitted of can nonetheless be thought-about in his sentence. Proof from the trial that entails the transportation of Cassie, “Jane,” and male intercourse staff may also be thought-about. Moreover, the decide implied Diddy’s problem to the factual guilt in his case is a pink flag.
“Usually, the narrative that he and his attorneys have put forth — that this case entails nothing greater than adults paying for time, not intercourse — is flatly inconsistent with each actuality…” the decide reportedly stated.
Additionally, the decide reminded the court docket that Diddy organized the intercourse events, employed the escorts, and used his cash to pay them. To the decide, Combs has “expressed regret for some issues.” Nonetheless, he hasn’t executed so for his conviction of arranging journey for escorts and his girlfriends to have interaction in paid lewd acts.
“Combs has challenged his factual guilt full-throatedly, and has even executed so after trial,” the decide stated, per CNN.
The advisory sentence from the court docket’s probation division for Diddy’s case is between 70 and 87 months. That provides as much as 5 years and 10 months to seven years and three months in jail. In line with CNN, the decide stated he doesn’t see a purpose to stray from that advice. He declined so as to add enhancements really useful by prosecutors that will warrant 9 to 11 years. Additionally, the decide cited tips that would imply Diddy pays a nice of $25,000 to $250,000. We is not going to know FOR SURE till later at present.
For added stay updates from the listening to, hold studying under.
OTHER MOMENTS FROM INSIDE THE COURTROOM (LIVE UPDATES)
Diddy Arrives at Court docket: Sean Combs arrived on the courthouse from the Metro Detention Heart in Brooklyn, the place he’s been locked up since his arrest in September 2024. The identical decide ruling at present denied him bail two occasions, main up thus far. In a present of grace, Choose Subramanian did permit Diddy to put on non-jail garments. In line with the Related Press, he’s carrying a light-colored sweater over a button-down shirt and dark-colored slacks. He hugged a few of his legal professionals and waved to his supporters and household within the courtroom. His hair is reportedly grayer and whiter than traditional, on condition that he’s not allowed to make use of hair dye in jail.
“Mia” Will Not Converse As we speak, Choose Provides Warning: Diddy and the decide exchanged “good mornings.” Prosecutors introduced that “Mia” wouldn’t communicate at present, as anticipated, as a result of a “bullying” letter that the protection submitted. The decide agreed that the letter’s tone was “inappropriate” and warned the protection. “Mia” was a trial witness who testified underneath a pseudonym and beforehand labored for Diddy. She testified to experiencing rape and abuse and witnessing violence. “Mia” was the one sufferer scheduled to talk in court docket at present.
Choose Names Who Can Converse: Diddy’s kids and Dr. Reverend Johnson shall be allowed to talk. His legal professionals are additionally pushing to listen to from medical doctors who’ve handled the 55-year-old whereas he’s been locked up.
RELATED: Second Of Fact! Diddy Pens Letter To Choose Asking For “Second Likelihood” Forward Of His Sentencing (SEE HERE)
Prosecutors Current Argument For 11-12 months Sentence: Assistant U.S. Lawyer Christy Slavik argued that their sentencing advice “displays the conduct appropriately.” Slavik questioned whether or not Diddy is mostly a modified man as he claims, whereas reminding the court docket that “his victims don’t have the luxurious of shifting on so simply. They’re nonetheless selecting up the items.” Admitting to violence as a part of a protection technique is just not accountability, she stated — a considerable jail sentence is. Recalling Diddy beating Cassie in a resort hallway, Slavik requested the court docket to think about “how a lot worse” his violent outbursts have been “behind closed doorways.” She added, “This isn’t an individual who has accepted duty.”
Protection Claps Again At Mann Act: Lawyer Jason Driscoll began by recapping the protection’s argument that the Mann Act. He claimed prosecutors ought to have by no means utilized it to Sean Combs. Driscoll argued that Mann Act prosecutions typically have focused individuals accused of earning money off their conduct. He asserted that Combs “didn’t make a single cent” from what he was convicted of doing. In the meantime, Lawyer Nicole Westmoreland argued that Diddy’s life has impressed the Black group, and he or she turned emotional as she defined his affect on her. Westmoreland additionally pointed to a course Diddy taught in jail.
Recap Of Sean Combs’ Letter Plea To Choose
On the eve of his sentencing, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs wrote to the decide proclaiming himself to be a brand new man after realizing he was “damaged to my core.” Click on under to see the total letter.
Second Of Fact! Diddy Pens Letter To Choose Asking For “Second Likelihood” Forward Of His Sentencing (SEE HERE)
Related Press Michael R. Sisak, Larry Neumeister, Jennifer Peltz, and different employees contributed to this report through AP Newsroom.
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