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 charges.
Prosecutors have pushed for the controversial rap mogul to obtain a sentence of at least 11 years in prison, whereas Combs’ attorneys have argued for a 14-month sentence that might enable Combs to return to his household by the top of the yr.
“In my life, I’ve made many errors, however I’m 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 prompted, however I perceive that the mere phrases “I am sorry” won’t ever be adequate as these phrases alone can not 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 arms of U.S. District Choose Arun Subramanian, who has overseen Combs’ case since he was arrested over a year ago.
After listening to six weeks of testimony from 34 prosecution witnesses, a jury in July acquitted Combs of essentially the most severe expenses he confronted — racketeering conspiracy and intercourse trafficking — however discovered him responsible on two counts of transportation to have interaction in prostitution.
Escaping expenses that might have despatched him away for the remainder of his life, Combs immediately celebrated the split verdict when it was delivered in July, with Combs mouthing thanks to every juror and turning to his household to say, “I am coming dwelling, child! I am coming dwelling!”
However the celebration proved untimely later that day when Choose 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 yr of his life.
On Friday, Combs’ attorneys may have one other strive 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 habits and disrespect for the regulation. They stated that the punishment ought to mirror the “a long time of unchecked violence” dedicated by Combs and “a long time of psychological, emotional and bodily harm he has inflicted.”
Whereas Combs was acquitted of the extra severe expenses 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 hotel security camera video displaying 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 Choose 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, Might 16, 2025, on this courtroom sketch.
Jane Rosenberg/Reuters
How do protection attorneys justify a 14-month sentence?
Combs’ attorneys 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 dwelling by the top of the yr.
“He has served over a yr in probably the most infamous jails in America — but has made essentially the most of that punishment. It’s time for Mr. Combs to go dwelling to his household, so he can proceed his therapy and attempt to take advantage of the following chapter of his extraordinary life,” his attorneys wrote.
His attorneys harassed to the decide that Combs was acquitted of the extra severe expenses — together with allegations he coerced girls into intercourse — and emphasised his character, calling him “a rare 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 attorneys argued.
Protection attorneys additionally sought to bolster their argument by submitting greater than 75 letters of assist from Combs’ household, former staff, mates 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 yr!” Combs’ 27-year-old son, Christian, wrote a letter to the court docket.
Virginia Huynh — a lady who prosecutors initially alleged was a sufferer of Combs’ crimes — additionally submitted a letter in support of Combs, arguing she was pressured into figuring out as a sufferer and doesn’t imagine she was intercourse trafficked or engaged in prostitution with Combs.
“I kindly ask that you simply think about releasing him again to his household,” she wrote.
Who is predicted to talk on the sentencing?
District Choose Arun Subramanian provides 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 handle the decide on Friday forward of his sentencing in what his attorneys stated could be “essentially the most dignified and respectful vogue doable.”
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 one of the best model of myself to make sure that I by no means make the identical errors once more,” Combs wrote.
The letter additionally said: “I wish to apologize and say how sincerely sorry I’m for the entire damage and ache that I’ve prompted others by my conduct. I take full duty and accountability for my previous wrongs.”
Choose Subramanian is also allowing “Mia” — Combs’ former private assistant who alleged that he sexually assaulted her a number of instances — to ship a sufferer influence assertion in court docket.
“Mia was extremely courageous to stroll right into a public courtroom and testify in truth concerning the worst occasions of her life, and get up for herself, her mates, and abused girls in all places,” her attorneys beforehand instructed ABC Information.
