Sean “Diddy” Combs has apologised and brought “full responsibility” for “all of the hurt and pain” he has brought on others in a letter to the court docket, lower than 24 hours earlier than he is because of be sentenced.
The hip-hop mogul didn’t give proof throughout his trial earlier this yr, so that is the primary time he has addressed Choose Arun Subramanian.
Combs was convicted of two prostitution-related expenses in July, following a trial lasting nearly eight weeks, however was cleared of extra severe expenses of intercourse trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
Within the letter, the 55-year-old admits “past wrongs” however says he’s now not operating from his “many mistakes”.
He additionally addresses the notorious CCTV footage from an LA lodge in 2016, which confirmed him attacking his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
“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,” Combs writes. “I take full responsibility and accountability for my past wrongs.”
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How the Diddy trial unfolded
The rapper describes the final two years – which began with a civil lawsuit filed by Cassie in November 2023 – because the “hardest” of his life, however admits: “I have no one to blame for my current reality and situation but myself.”
Since his arrest in September 2024 and subsequent time in jail, the rapper says he has “had to look in the mirror like never before” and admits his “downfall was rooted in my selfishness”.
Combs is because of be sentenced on Friday and faces a most of 20 years in jail.
Prosecutors have referred to as for not less than 11 years, whereas his defence group argues he ought to serve not more than 14 months. The latter would see him stroll free nearly instantly after time already served.
His letter comes after a number of filed by witnesses who testified in the course of the trial, together with Cassie, who has urged the choose to not be lenient and expressed fears for her security.
She alleged on the witness stand that she was coerced and generally blackmailed into participating in intercourse classes with male escorts. Combs has strenuously denied allegations of sexual abuse, and jurors cleared him of intercourse trafficking, solely discovering him responsible of the fees regarding hiring the intercourse employees.
Nevertheless, his authorized group admitted from the start that he had been violent prior to now.
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Cassie Ventura gave proof in the course of the trial. Pic: Reuters/Jane Rosenberg
‘I couldn’t forgive anybody placing a hand on one among my daughters’
Speaking concerning the 2016 CCTV footage – which confirmed Combs, carrying solely a towel and socks, attacking Cassie in a hallway – he says in his letter: “The scene and images of me assaulting Cassie play over and over in my head daily.
“I actually misplaced my thoughts. I used to be useless mistaken for placing my palms on the girl that I beloved. I am sorry for that and all the time might be. My home violence will all the time be a heavy burden that I must endlessly carry. The regret, the sorrow, the remorse, the frustration, the disgrace.”
He goes on to say he feels sorry “for one thing that I could not forgive another person for: in the event that they put their palms on one among my daughters.”
The footage was played several times during his trial after first being made public by CNN in May 2024.
The hip-hop mogul also references “Jane”, another former girlfriend who testified against him in court, who did not give her real name.
“I believed I used to be offering for Jane regarding her and her youngster, however after listening to her testimony, I realised that I harm her,” he writes. “For this I’m deeply sorry. I misplaced my method … Misplaced within the medication and the surplus.”
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Combs fell to his knees when the decision was delivered. Pic: Reuters/Jane Rosenberg
‘The previous me died in jail’
Combs goes on to explain his time in jail, saying he has been “humbled and broken to my core” and that there “have been so many times that I wanted to give up”.
“The old me died in jail and a new version of me was reborn. Prison will change you or kill you – I choose to live.”
Combs says he has had remedy and has been “working diligently to become the best version” of himself, and that there was some good to come back out of his time in jail.
“For starters, I am now sober for the first time in 25 years. I have been trying my best to deal with my drug abuse and anger issues and take accountability as well as positive steps towards healing.”
Asking Choose Subramanian for “mercy” for himself, his seven youngsters and his 84-year-old mom, he says: “I have failed my children as a father. My father was murdered when I was three years old so I know first-hand what it is to not have a father. More than anything, I just want the opportunity to return home and be the father that they need and deserve.”
Combs goes on to say he’s “scared to death” on the considered spending extra time away from his household, and that he now not cares “about the money or the fame”.
And as beforehand detailed by his attorneys, he describes situations on the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn as inhumane – however says he’s not on the lookout for “pity or sympathy”, and that his time there has “changed me forever!”.
Combs concludes by vowing to by no means commit one other crime once more: “I can’t change the past, but I can change the future … I’m committed to the journey of remaining a drug free, non-violent and peaceful person.
“At this time, I humbly ask you for one more likelihood – one other likelihood to be a greater father, one other likelihood to be a greater son, one other likelihood to be a greater chief in my group, and one other likelihood to dwell a greater life.”
