Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs sentenced to over 4 years in jail

Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was sentenced to simply over 4 years in jail on Friday after being convicted on prostitution-related fees involving his two ex-girlfriends.

Combs’ attorneys argued for a 14-month sentence, saying their shopper is reformed after serving 13 months in a New York jail, however prosecutors wished 11 years, citing his home violence historical past.

In addition to prosecutors detailing Combs’ abuse, the court docket heard from a number of of Combs’ kids, some brazenly sobbing; defence attorneys who known as him inspiring; and at last, an apologetic Combs himself.

In the top, Judge Arun Subramanian stated a big sentence was required as a deterrent, and to ship a message.

Before the choose delivered the 50-month sentence, Combs addressed the court docket – his first public phrases for the reason that trial started.

Combs apologised to his victims, particularly naming his two ex-girlfriends, Casandra Ventura, and “Jane”, who testified below a pseudonym.

“My actions were disgusting, shameful, and sick,” he stated. “I got lost in excess, I got lost in my ego.”

He went on to apologise to his mom and his kids.

“I’m so sorry. They deserved better,” he stated, referring to his seven kids, most of whom have been within the courtroom.

Then he begged the choose for a second likelihood, saying he would by no means jeopardise time along with his household once more. “I ask your honour for mercy. I beg your honour for mercy,” Combs stated.

“I don’t have nobody to blame but myself. I know that I’ve learned my lesson.”

In the almost two-month federal trial in New York City, prosecutors accused Combs of utilizing his superstar standing and sprawling enterprise empire to run a prison enterprise and intercourse visitors his former girlfriends.

Prosecutors argued Combs intercourse trafficked girls by “freak-offs”, or encounters during which he would pay male escorts to have intercourse along with his girlfriends whereas he watched and filmed.

The authorities argued Combs coerced the ladies into undesirable sexual encounters with medication and bodily violence.

Combs, 55, was discovered not responsible in July of essentially the most severe fees towards him, racketeering conspiracy and intercourse trafficking of his two ex-girlfriends, Ms Ventura and “Jane”. He was convicted on two fees of transportation to have interaction in prostitution.

For most of Friday morning, Combs maintained a non-reactive manner, sitting again in his seat and listening quietly as prosecutors accused him of ruining his victims’ lives.

Prosecutor Christy Slavik argued that the harsher sentence was extra applicable for the severity of his actions. A lighter sentence would “let the defendant get away with years of domestic violence and abuse,” she stated.

“Today is about accountability and justice,” she stated.

Citing sufferer statements and testimony from Ms Ventura and Jane Doe that detailed home violence of their relationships with Combs, she reminded the choose of photographs the court docket noticed of the 2 girls’s accidents they are saying Combs inflicted.

“He didn’t need the money, his currency was control,” the prosecutor says. “This is a defendant who will pose a danger at any age.”

However, the defence argued that Combs “is not a pimp” and that the prostitution fees on which he was convicted didn’t apply. “All pimps share one aggravating factor,” stated lawyer Jason Driscoll. “They make money.”

The conviction was based mostly on the Mann Act, handed in 1910, which criminalised transporting girls and ladies for “the purpose of prostitution or debauchery, or for any other immoral purpose.” The most important distinction, Mr Driscoll stated, is cash, declaring that Combs didn’t profit financially from the offences.

The defence painted Combs as reformed, describing his optimistic contributions on the jail in Brooklyn, New York, the place he is being held and citing “untreated trauma and a ferocious drug addiction” as elements in his behaviour.

“Mr Combs personally inspired me,” defence lawyer Nicole Westmoreland instructed the court docket, choking again tears. She talked about Combs beginning his personal report label and clothes line, which she stated additionally impressed different black entrepreneurs and musicians.

After spending 13 months in jail, Combs was “remorseful,” stated Ms Westmoreland. “Your honour, he gets it, simply put.”

Combs’ kids – some sobbing – additionally vouched for his transformation in jail. In probably essentially the most emotional a part of the day, one known as him a “changed man” and one other requested for a “second chance” for his father.

Combs appeared on, showing to carry again tears and sometimes burying his face in his fingers.

“In front of you and in front of us is a changed man. He has evolved, something we haven’t seen in 15 years,” stated Combs’ son Quincy Brown.

Delila Combs, 18, pleaded: “We can’t watch our baby sister grow up fatherless the same way we grew up motherless… Please, please give our family the chance to heal.”

Afterwards Judge Subramanian thanked them, saying they’d assist him in his determination.

Combs will get credit score towards his 50-month time period for the roughly 13 months he has served in jail earlier than and in the course of the trial. He additionally can be required to pay a $500,000 positive.

After the listening to, Combs’ lawyer Marc Agnifilo stated the authorized crew is planning to attraction the choice.

In his sentence, the choose stated Combs’ actions have been greater than being a client of prostitution, just like the defence had claimed, and that he was not satisfied Combs wouldn’t reoffend if launched.

The defence performed a 15-minute video highlighting Combs’ achievements, and Judge Subramanian acknowledged that he thought-about his involvement with charities and serving to the black group, and his deep household ties.

But he rejected the defence’s portrayal of his relationships with Ms Ventura and Jane as intimate and consensual. “You abused them, physically, emotionally and psychologically,” he stated.

Both girls had trauma that may final a lifetime, the choose stated. “You had the money and the power to keep it going,” he stated. “This was subjugation.”

“This is the reality of what happened.”