In brief
In a letter sent to the court ahead of his sentencing, Sean 'Diddy' Combs requested leniency, attributing his past actions to drug addiction and expressing regret for the harm caused. Convicted on two prostitution charges, he faces up to 20 years in prison, with prosecutors seeking a substantial term. Combs, who claims to have found sobriety, emphasizes his transformation and the impact of his actions on his family, including his mother and children.
Convicted rap mogul Sean Diddy Combs has written a letter to the judge overseeing his criminal trial, asking for leniency during his sentencing on Friday and blaming his past behaviour on drug addiction.
In the four-page letter, he apologises for all of the hurt and pain that I have caused and says that he has been reformed after spending 13 months in a Brooklyn jail.
The letter on Thursday comes hours ahead of his sentencing hearing at 10:00 ET (15:00GMT) on Friday.
In July, he was found guilty of two prostitution charges and now faces up to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors are seeking a sentence of at least 11 years, but Combs' lawyers are asking that he be released later this month.
In his letter to Judge Arun Subramanian, Combs apologises for assaulting his ex-girlfriend, singer Casandra Ventura, writing: I literally lost my mind.
I'm sorry for that and always will be, he continues. My domestic violence will always be heavy burden that will have to forever carry.
He also apologizes to an anonymous woman who testified during the trial under the name Jane and says he became lost in the drugs and the excess.
I lost my way, he wrote. My downfall was rooted in my selfishness. I have been humbled and broken to my core.
Combs's accusers have also written to the judge, detailing how he wielded his power and influence to harm their lives, expressing fears of retribution if he is freed.
In his letter, Combs describes teaching a class to fellow inmates on what I did to become a successful businessman, asserting that he is a changed person who is now sober for the first time in 25 years.
The old me died in jail and a new version of me was reborn, he writes.
Combs also asks the judge for mercy, not only for his sake but for the sake of his children, and urges consideration of his 84-year-old mother who recently had brain surgery.
He emphasizes that he hopes to be an example of redemption, requesting the judge to afford him a second chance.
During the sentencing hearing, Combs is expected to speak along with his legal team, which plans to present a video as part of his defense. Although he was acquitted of the most severe charges, prosecutors argue he shows no remorse and should be sentenced to at least 11 years.
