Sean 'Diddy' Combs' lawyers have shared plans to appeal his sentence as they spoke outside of court.
The disgraced hip-hop mogul had just two words to say to his family as he was handed a 50 months prison sentence. He broke down in tears while in court on Friday where he was told his fate by a federal judge in New York City after he was found guilty earlier this year on prostitution-related charges.
Diddy was hit with a 4 year and two months sentence as well as a $500,000 fine, which is the highest the judge could impose. The controversial music producer waved to supporters upon arriving in court and blew kisses to his family in the courtroom.
He was acquitted of the more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking in July but found guilty on two charges of transportation of former girlfriends for prostitution. During the trial, torrid details emerged about his sex life and 'freak off parties' that involved ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
The music mogul was denied bail and remained in custody until the sentencing. Upon hearing his sentence, Diddy let out a sigh and told his family: "I'm sorry."
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P Diddy's rival 50 Cent reacts to sentencing
Rapper 50 Cent couldn't help but take aim at his rival P Diddy after he was sentenced to 50 months in prison.
Taking to X after the judge handed down the sentence, rapper 50 Cent, real name Curtis James Jackson III, wrote: "Hey to whoever was booking Diddy for speaking engagement. I heard he won’t be able to make it, I’m available!"
It was reported yesterday Combs was booked at a speaking event next week, apparently showing his confidence he would be freed from prison on time served ahead of the sentencing.
The federal prosecution made the claimin court yesterday. As federal prosecutor Mary Slavik said: "Even now at sentencing for his conviction for two federal crimes … he doesn’t fully grapple with how his actions got him here.
"His respect for the law is just lip service.
"He has booked speaking engagements in Miami for next week. That is the height of hubris, your honor.'
P Diddy's grovelling video
One of the biggest talking points from yesterday's sentencing is P Diddy's almost 12-minute long video, which was played in court ahead of the judge handing down the sentence.
Watch it in full, here...
Diddy's words to his family
Shortly before Sean Combs left the courtroom, he was seen telling his mum and children "I'm sorry, I'm sorry".
P Diddy's attorneys speak out after sentencing
The rapper's lawyers Marc Agnifilo and Brian Steel spoke outside of court to react to his sentencing, revealing their plans to appeal.
They said: "We are planning to appeal, we are planning to appeal. We think we have strong basis to appeal – the strongest basis is that the jury reached a verdict on coercsion, they found it was not coersion and I think that the judge said coercsion today at least a dozen times. We think that is unconstitutional. We think that a jury verdict should mean more than our jury's verdict seems to mean. So we are planning to appeal."
Judge's damning comments in full
Judge Arun Subramanian addressed Diddy directly before delivering the verdict. He said he had considered the fact Diddy is a self-made artist and businessman who has “inspired and lifted up communities".
The judge noted that his work and impact are “celebrated and iconic," which he said is more impressive considering his childhood and the "violent death" of his dad when he was three.
However, the Judge also told the disgraced rapper that it will be a "hard time in prison" away from his family but that he will still "have a life afterwards".
He said: "We heard you... these horrible acts were made public and Sean Combs will never be able to wash them away. I can only say your families are proud of you and your children will be proud of you... You weren't just talking to the jury you were talking to the women who feel powerless - you gave them a voice, you stood up to power, it's not easy."
Read everything the judge said here.
'I partied hard with Diddy but was conned by his fake gentleman act'
The Mirror's Associate Editor Tom Bryant once partied the night away with Diddy and also had a quick interview with the rapper. He saw a very different person on both occasions.
Tom admitted: "His gentlemanly facade certainly fooled me. It's perhaps no surprise others are still bewitched by him."
Take a read here...
Janice Combs waves to supporters as she heads out of court
Diddy's mum Janice stepped out of court and waved to the crowd gathering outside after her son was sentenced to four years and two months. Upon hearing his sentence, Diddy told her: "I'm sorry." She wore a white suit and was joined by six of Diddy's children.
Diddy's reaction to four year sentence revealed
Diddy' showed no sign of emotion as he was handed his sentence by the judge. He sat in his chair and looked straight ahead. When the sentence was given, Diddy remained subdued and appeared dejected.
He no longer gave the smiles to his lawyers and family as he had done earlier in the day. Diddy had been patting his heart, blowing kisses to his mum and giving a thumbs up.
However, following his sentence he turned to his mum and children and sighed before saying: "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
Diddy is able to appeal his convictions
Diddy can appeal the convictions and his lawyers have said that they plan on doing so. They have 14 days to file notice.
Diddy's children leave court
Diddy's children supported each other as they made their way out of the courtroom. They left just after he was sentenced to four years and two months in prison.
His daughters Chance and D'Lila held hands with each other as they were followed by Quincy and Jesse.
His children wipe away tears as they speak in court
During Diddy's time in the courtroom today, his children read out their letters. His daughter Jessie burst into tears as she addressed the court, while his son Justin branded him his "superhero". A court sketch has captured the moment six of his seven children stood before the judge, while Diddy covered his face.
Diddy seen with head in his hands
In a court sketch from today's sentencing, Diddy was seen holding his head in his hands as he gave his speech to the judge. Diddy said he 'hated himself' before being hit with his 50 month sentence.
Cassie Ventura's attorney says 'nothing can undo the trauma'
Following Diddy's sentencing, his ex girlfriend Cassie Ventura's attorney Doug Wigdor said: “While nothing can undo the trauma caused by Combs, the sentence imposed today recognises the impact of the serious offenses he committed.
"We are confident that with the support of her family and friends, Ms. Ventura will continue healing knowing that her bravery and fortitude have been an inspiration to so many.”
Diddy hit with $500,000 fine
As well as spending 50 months behind bars, Diddy has been been hit with a $500,000 fine. It is the maximum amount the judge can order as he said he was taking into account Diddy's “immense resources, which enabled his crimes.”
Diddy sentenced to 50 months in prison
Judge Arun Subramanian has sentenced Diddy to 50 months in prison, which means 4 years and two months behind bars. He told Diddy the sentence is a "hard time" away from his family but noted he will have a life afterwards.
The judge added: “There is a light at the end of the tunnel. These letters, all those letters that I saw, show that you have a universe of people who love you. Let them lift you up now, just like you’ve lifted them up for so many years.”
Judge starts to address Diddy
Judge Arun Subramanian is now addressing Diddy directly. He wanted to make it clear he is being sentenced for the offenses of conviction and not the sex trafficking and racketeering charges he was acquitted of.
The judge says he has considered the fact Diddy is a self-made artist and businessman who has “inspired and lifted up communities". He noted that his work and impact are “celebrated and iconic," which he said is more impressive considering his childhood and the "violent death" of his dad when he was three.
Diddy thanks the jury for his not guilty verdicts
Diddy thanked the jury who sat through his two month trial as his speech came to an end. He said: "Your honour gave me the confidence to believe in the jury and to believe I didn’t have to testify.
"The jury came and sacrificed their time in the summer. They sacrificed time with their children and I thank them for the not-guilty verdicts.”
'I've learned my lesson'
While speaking to the judge, Diddy said: “I ask Your Honour for the chance to be a father again. I ask Your Honour for the chance to be a son again. I ask Your Honour for the chance to be a leader in my community again. I ask Your Honour 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."
He added: “I don’t have nobody to blame but myself. 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.”
Diddy begs for mercy
In a direct plea to the judge before his sentencing, Diddy said: “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.
“These are not excuses. I can’t change the past but I can change the future. I ask your honor for mercy. I beg your honor for mercy.”
'I'm not this bad person'
Speaking to the judge, Diddy said: “Growing up as a kid, I just wanted to be a shining example of what we could do. I say we, as people of colour, 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.”
Diddy speaks directly to his children - 'Y'all deserve better'
Diddy turned to the gallery to face his children as he spoke in court. He said: “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. Y’all deserve better.” Diddy turned to his mother Janice and said he failed her as a son. His voice broke as he said: “I’m sorry."
Diddy 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.”
Diddy addresses the judge
Diddy is now talking to the judge as he said: "I want to thank you for giving me the chance to finally speak up for myself. 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 apologise again to Cassie Ventura for any harm or hurt that I’ve caused her – emotionally or physically." He also wanted to "personally apologise 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."
Diddy now suffers from PTSD
The music mogul's defence team have said he has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Attorney Marc Agnifilo said doctors made the findings in 2014, 2017 and 2020.
He said it was unclear what initial trauma triggered his PTSD. Agnifilo said the team were "asking for a lot" by requesting Diddy's immediate release but said he has been uniquely punished.
The court is in a 'difficult position'
Defence attorney Xavier Donaldson is now addressing the judge as he said: “The court’s in a difficult position, I think, if I may say that respectfully."
He told the court that the judge is looking at the victim impact statements as well as letters from Diddy and his family.
“You find yourself, I think, saying you have two people here — who’s the real Sean Combs? I like to believe that the real Sean Combs is in the grain of all those letters you read and what you heard from the family.”
Diddy's plans for if he's released revealed
Diddy's defence team have revealed what his plans are if he is released. The rapper wants to move to Miami to be near his mother and would like to be used by the community “in a positive way.”
Steel told the court: “He is in the unique position that — if this honorable court believes that it is something that goes into his special conditions of his release — he will be speaking openly about what it’s like to be incarcerated, what it’s like to be on drugs, what it’s like to lose a global business, what it’s like to harm people you love, what it’s like to take the happiness from your family."
Diddy 'nearly stabbed while in custody'
Defence attorney Brian Steel has told the court Diddy was almost stabbed by another inmate while in custody. He said a guard narrowly stopped the attack and that the music star hasn't slept more than two hours in a row since he was arrested.
“Sean is not a typical person in custody, everyone knows him,” Steel said. “It’s a trophy for them, they get recognition if they harm him.”
“He eats out of bags, he eats chips all day long,” he said. "He sometimes would tell me, ‘it’s not worth going on, there’s nothing here, there’s no more hope.’ But his family — he could not again bring suffering on them, that would just be more trauma to them."
Diddy seen crying in court for first time
Court sketches have shown the moment Diddy broke down in tears after his video played out to the room. His children appeared in court to read letters, which was followed by a video his defence team had made about his life.
'Remorseful Diddy needs freedom to care for kids'
Diddy's team hace said he needs to be free for the sake of his children. Defence attorney Steel said: “He grew up without a father, his mother working all the time, and he swore that he would be there for his children. That’s what Sean is fighting for.”
He told the court: “I have been with Sean when he has prayed not only for forgiveness … but for healing for anyone that he has harmed or injured,” Steel said. “Sean wants nothing for himself. This sentence today is not about him. He wants to get back to his family, for them.”
Court has returned
Diddy is back in the courtroom as his sentencing continues following a lunch break. The defence team is back as they told the judge about "trauma" in his life.
Defence attorney Brian Steel told the court: “Please consider the following two reasons I believe we’re here: untreated trauma — great trauma in Sean’s life — and a ferocious drug addiction that got out of hand.”
How long does Diddy face in prison?
The judge has indicated he is unlikely to stray from the sentencing guidelines, which indicate Combs should serve between 70 and 87 months in prison. That means, regardless of how the prosecution and defence presentations go today, Combs will almost certainly serve between just under six to just over seven years.