Sean 'Diddy' Combs faces sentencing after conviction on prostitution-related charges

[ad_1] After a two-month trial and emotional testimony from dozens of witnesses that resulted in a cut up verdict, a federal decide is scheduled to condemn Sean "Diddy" Combs on Friday morning following his conviction on two prostitution-related costs.

Prosecutors have pushed for the controversial rap mogul to obtain a sentence of no less than 11 years in jail, whereas Combs' attorneys have argued for a 14-month sentence that may enable Combs to return to his household by the tip of the 12 months.

"In my life, I've made many errors, however I'm now not working from them," Combs wrote on Thursday in a letter to the decide overseeing his case. "I'm so sorry for the damage that I brought on, however I perceive that the mere phrases "I am sorry" won't ever be adequate as these phrases alone can't erase the ache from the previous."

Sean 'Diddy' Combs', accompanied by attorneys Marc Agnifilo and Anthony Ricco, and along with his mother seated within the again, attends a listening to in federal court docket in New York., Oct. 10, 2024, on this courtroom sketch.

Jane Rosenberg/Reuters

The choice is now within the palms of U.S. District Decide Arun Subramanian, who has overseen Combs' case since he was arrested over a 12 months in the past.

After listening to six weeks of testimony from 34 prosecution witnesses, a jury in July acquitted Combs of essentially the most critical costs he confronted -- racketeering conspiracy and intercourse trafficking -- however discovered him responsible on two counts of transportation to interact in prostitution.

Escaping costs that would have despatched him away for the remainder of his life, Combs instantly celebrated the cut up verdict when it was delivered in July, with Combs mouthing thanks to every juror and turning to his household to say, "I am coming residence, child! I am coming residence!"

However the celebration proved untimely later that day when Decide Subramanian denied Combs' request to be launched to his household, as an alternative returning him to a federal detention heart in Brooklyn, the place he has spent the final 12 months of his life.

On Friday, Combs' legal professionals may have one other attempt at convincing the decide to launch Combs, whereas prosecutors argue that Combs' historical past of violence and alleged disrespect for the regulation justify a prolonged jail sentence.

How do prosecutors justify an 11-year sentence?

Prosecutor Madison Smyser questions witness "Mia" at Sean "Diddy" Combs' intercourse trafficking trial in New York, June 2, 2025, on this courtroom sketch.

Jane Rosenberg/Reuters

Federal prosecutors have argued that Combs deserves a prolonged sentence due to what they described as his historical past of violent conduct and disrespect for the regulation. They stated that the punishment ought to mirror the "many years of unchecked violence" dedicated by Combs and "many years of psychological, emotional and bodily injury he has inflicted."

Whereas Combs was acquitted of the extra critical costs of intercourse trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, prosecutors argue that Combs is "unrepentant" for the crimes he was convicted of and left his victims in worry.

They've additionally pointed to resort safety digital camera video exhibiting Combs violently beating his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in an occasion of violence acknowledged by Combs' personal protection attorneys.

"Extremely, whereas the defendant conceded his acts of violence and abuse all through trial, he now argues that his victims ought to shoulder the blame," prosecutors wrote.

Prosecutors submitted six letters from victims and witnesses who urged Decide Subramanian to maintain Combs in jail. Two of Combs' victims -- Ventura and a former assistant who alleged Combs sexually assaulted her -- three former staff, and Ventura's dad and mom every wrote letters.

"I hope that your determination considers the truths at hand that the jury did not see," Ventura wrote. "My worries that Sean Combs or his associates will come after me and my household is my actuality."

Lawyer Anna Estevao cross examines Casandra "Cassie" Ventura throughout Sean "Diddy" Combs' intercourse trafficking trial in New York, Could 16, 2025, on this courtroom sketch.

Jane Rosenberg/Reuters

How do protection legal professionals justify a 14-month sentence?

Combs' legal professionals argue that the rap mogul is a modified man who deserves not more than 14 months in jail. With Combs already serving 12 months in jail earlier than and after his trial, the sentence would enable him to go residence by the tip of the 12 months.

"He has served over a 12 months in one of the crucial infamous jails in America -- but has made essentially the most of that punishment. It's time for Mr. Combs to go residence to his household, so he can proceed his therapy and attempt to take advantage of the following chapter of his extraordinary life," his legal professionals wrote.

His attorneys careworn to the decide that Combs was acquitted of the extra critical costs -- together with allegations he coerced girls into intercourse -- and emphasised his character, calling him "a unprecedented one who has made monumental skilled and private contributions all through his 55 years."

"If equity, justice, and the U.S. Structure imply something, the jury's verdict must be revered. Mr. Combs must be sentenced for what he was convicted of--transporting consenting adults interstate to have sex--and nothing extra," his legal professionals argued.

Protection legal professionals additionally sought to bolster their argument by submitting greater than 75 letters of assist from Combs' household, former staff, associates and almost a dozen inmates who've taken his enterprise administration class in jail.

"Please let my father out of Jail! He doesn't should be there and has already been in jail for a 12 months!" Combs' 27-year-old son, Christian, wrote a letter to the court docket.

Virginia Huynh -- a girl who prosecutors initially alleged was a sufferer of Combs' crimes -- additionally submitted a letter in assist of Combs, arguing she was pressured into figuring out as a sufferer and doesn't consider she was intercourse trafficked or engaged in prostitution with Combs.

"I kindly ask that you simply contemplate releasing him again to his household," she wrote.

Who is anticipated to talk on the sentencing?

District Decide Arun Subramanian offers authorized directions to the jury, throughout Sean "Diddy" Combs' intercourse trafficking trial in New York, June 30, 2025, on this courtroom sketch.

Jane Rosenberg/Reuters

Combs plans to instantly deal with the decide on Friday forward of his sentencing in what his legal professionals stated could be "essentially the most dignified and respectful trend potential."

In a letter submitted to the decide on Thursday, Combs apologized for his actions and argued he was reformed in jail, changing into sober for the primary time.

"I've been placing within the work and dealing diligently to turn out to be the most effective model of myself to make sure that I by no means make the identical errors once more," Combs wrote.

The letter additionally acknowledged: "I wish to apologize and say how sincerely sorry I'm for all the damage and ache that I've brought on others by my conduct. I take full accountability and accountability for my previous wrongs."

Decide Subramanian can be permitting "Mia" -- Combs' former private assistant who alleged that he sexually assaulted her a number of instances -- to ship a sufferer affect assertion in court docket.

"Mia was extremely courageous to stroll right into a public courtroom and testify honestly concerning the worst occasions of her life, and get up for herself, her associates, and abused girls all over the place," her attorneys beforehand instructed ABC Information.