Final

Sean “Diddy” Combs has been sentenced to 50 months in prison on two counts related to prostitution following his July conviction.

Before the decision was handed down, the music mogul was afforded the opportunity to give a final statement to Judge Arun Subramanian Friday (Oct. 3), hoping to secure a 14-month sentence, which would’ve effectively be time served.

Combs, 55, began by thanking the judge for allowing him to speak for himself before diving into his regrets, CNN reports. “One of the hardest things that I’ve had to handle is having to be quiet. Not being able to express how sorry I am for my actions.”

“I want to personally apologize again to Cassie Ventura for any harm or hurt that I’ve caused her – emotionally or physically,” he said of the ex-girlfriend he was recorded assaulting in 2016. “I would like to apologize to her family. I’m so sorry. I would also like to apologize to ‘Jane.’ I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’m sorry that I brought you into my mess.”

He also wanted to, “personally apologize to all the victims of domestic violence, ‘cause I know that video – that disgusting despicable video – it’s triggered a lot of people all around the world. Domestic violence will always be a heavy burden that I will have to forever carry.”

Combs went on to describe his behavior as, “disgusting, shameful and sick. I was sick. Sick from the drugs, I was out of control.” He added that he “needed help and I didn’t get the help. Because of that I can make no excuse and I can really make no excuse because I knew better. My mother raised me better. I was taught better. My faith taught me better. I got lost in my journey of life. I’m not this larger than life person. I’m just a human being.”

“I’ve been trying my best,” he went on. “I got lost in excess, I got lost in my ego. because of my decisions I lost my freedom I lost the opportunity to effectively raise my children and be there for my mother.”

Combs also spoke of losing businesses and his career due to his actions, “but most of all, I lost my self-respect,” he added. “I’ve been humbled and broken to my core. I hate myself right now. I got stripped down to nothing.”

“I want to apologize to my seven children,” Combs added of his kids, who spoke on his behalf earlier in the day. “Y’all deserve better.” Addressing his mother, he added, “You taught me better. You raised me better. I know to whom so much is given, so much is expected. I failed my community.”

“Growing up as a kid, I just wanted to be a shining example of what we could do,” Combs told the judge. “I say we, as people of color, that we could own our own businesses, take care of our own communities, raise our own children, solve our own problems, create our own wealth, take care of our own problems. That was my mission. I got lost. I’m not this bad person. I’m sorry to my community for letting y’all down.”

“Sometimes no matter who you were before you get so shaken, it just changes your trajectory, it just changes you and it changes you for the better. Sometimes you have to go through life experiences,” he said. “These are not excuses. I can’t change the past but I can change the future.”

“I ask your honor for mercy,” Combs said. “I beg your honor for mercy.”

“I ask Your Honor for the chance to be a father again. I ask Your Honor for the chance to be a son again. I ask Your Honor for the chance to be a leader in my community again. I ask Your Honor for a chance to get the help that I desperately need to become a better person because I don’t want to let God down, I don’t want to let my family down.”

“I don’t have nobody to blame but myself,” he continued. “I know I’ll never put my hands on another person again. I know that I’ve learned my lesson. I’m willing to comply with any conditions the court puts upon me. Given a chance, when we talk about the possibility of me sharing my story, it’s not just a scheme to try to get less time — it’s that this story is real, this story is tragic.”

Combs also thanked the jury that, while convicting him of prostitution charges, found him innocent on the far more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. He also emphasized that he understands the seriousness of the charges he’s been convicted of, sharing with the courtroom, “I understand the severity of it, and I’m having to deal with the consequences. And I take full accountability and responsibility. Now … I know, the prosecution wants you to make an example of me. I just want you to think about making an example of what a person can do if they get another chance.”

The prosecution sought out a sentence of 11 years.

“If you give me another chance, I won’t let you down,” Combs went on. “And the evidence of that is those beautiful children that got up there and spoke for me. I would never, ever, ever jeopardize being in this situation again, being away from my family that needs me. That’s my deterrence.”

Combs then thanked the judge for his time before the court took a short break. Less than 30 minutes later, Judge Arun Subramanian handed down his sentence of 50 months. Subramanian also imposed a $500,000 fine against Combs, the maximum fine he can order.

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