Sean 'Diddy' Combs appeared in a New York federal court for his sentencing today, following his conviction earlier this year on prostitution-related charges. Facing a potential sentence of up to 20 years in jail, Combs was accompanied by his defence attorney and children. He has been incarcerated since September 2024, after the judge denied his requests for bail, citing a "disregard for the rule of law and a propensity for violence" and rejecting a motion to overturn his convictions.

In July, after a two-month trial, a jury found Combs not guilty of the more serious charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking involving Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura and 'Jane', an unnamed woman. However, he was found guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution concerning both Ventura and 'Jane' after 13 hours of jury deliberation. Upon the verdict, Combs was observed kneeling in front of his chair in prayer before clapping and turning to the gallery.

The sentencing proceedings began at 10 am Eastern Time in New York. The two counts of which Combs was convicted each carry a maximum sentence of 10 years. This means he could face a total of 20 years in prison if the judge imposes the maximum penalty and orders the sentences to be served consecutively.

Combs' legal team has advocated for a sentence not exceeding 14 months, arguing that the 13 months he has already served in "terrible conditions" constitute adequate punishment, and requesting his release before the year's end. In stark contrast, federal prosecutors have called for a minimum of 135 months (11 years and 3 months) in prison, alongside a $500,000 fine. They characterized Combs as "unrepentant" and highlighted his "history and characteristics demonstrate years of abuse and violence."

Hours before the sentencing commenced, Combs submitted a personal letter to the judge, expressing remorse and taking responsibility for his actions. He wrote, "First and foremost, I want to apologise and say how sincerely sorry I am for all of the hurt and pain that I have caused others by my conduct. I take full responsibility and accountability for my past wrongs." Combs described the past two years, since Ventura's initial civil lawsuit, as the "hardest" of his life, admitting, "I have no one to blame for my current reality and situation but myself."

In his letter, Combs specifically addressed the 2016 CCTV footage showing him assaulting Ventura, stating, "The scene and images of me assaulting Cassie play over and over in my head daily. I literally lost my mind. I was dead wrong for putting my hands on the woman that I loved. I'm sorry for that and always will be. My domestic violence will always be a heavy burden that I will have to forever carry." He also acknowledged hurting 'Jane', another ex-girlfriend, saying, "I thought I was providing for Jane concerning her and her child, but after hearing her testimony, I realised that I hurt her. For this I am deeply sorry. I lost my way ... Lost in the drugs and the excess." He concluded by asserting that the "old me died in jail" and pleaded for mercy, seeking "another chance" to be a better father, son, leader, and to live a better life.

The prosecution presented several victim impact statements, including one from Casandra Ventura. Ventura expressed her belief that the jury did not fully grasp the "force and coercion the defendant used against me," emphasizing that she knows her truth and that his sentence should reflect the evidence and her experience. She conveyed profound fear of "swift retribution" if Combs were to walk free, asserting that "victims and survivors will never be safe" if the court fails to consider the truths that the jury "failed to see."