Sean “Diddy” Combs could be facing as much as 11 years in prison. He was released after trial while awaiting sentencing, which will take place next week. On Tuesday, Combs submitted a deeply personal letter to the judge, asking for a second chance. He said that his time in detention was responsible for a major “spiritual reset. He looks forward to being reunited with his kids and mom when released, sharing that family should always come first.
In July, the entertainment titan was convicted of federal sex trafficking charges, but acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. Yet, he was still found guilty on a pair of prostitution-related counts. The court heard painful testimonies from 34 witnesses, including two former girlfriends who described a troubling pattern of coercive and violent behavior. Cassie Ventura, one of the exes, described their relationship as one riddled with emotional and physical abuse. She alleged that Combs promised to make and share intimate films of her. He threatened to withhold her financial support if she attempted to leave.
In his letter, Combs admitted to the haunting memories of his past actions, stating, “The scene and images of me assaulting Cassie play over and over in my head daily.” He took responsibility for the pain he caused, saying, “I’m sorry for that and always will be.” Combs said he had “pretty much literally lost [his] mind,” apologized for Ventura’s assault.
In a lawsuit, Combs has called his treatment as an inmate at the Brooklyn federal jail where he’s being held “inhumane.” He described living in a cramped room with 25 other inmates, lacking windows and clean air, and facing constant discomfort due to a broken washing machine. It’s been those brutal conditions that have birthed his material so much, and fed into his thoughts on life, growth and change.
As Combs noted in his letter, incarceration has ripped apart the family life of those directly affected. He expressed regret at having missed major life events in his now two-year-old daughter’s life, from proms to graduations. “As I write you this letter, I am scared to death. Scared to spend another second away from my mother and my children,” he wrote, expressing his deep fears about remaining incarcerated.
Federal prosecutors are now pushing for a sentence of 11 years and three months, calling him an “unrepentant” criminal. In counterpoint, Combs begged for mercy, assuring him he would not fail the court if given his liberty. “If you allow me to go home to my family, I promise I will not let you down and I will make you proud,” he asserted.
In one of his most touching moments, Combs was candid about how he changed while in prison. He stated, “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.” He emphasized that he no longer values fame or wealth, stating, “I no longer care about the money or the fame.” Now his priorities are all about family and personal redemption.
“I have made many mistakes, but I am no longer running from them,” Combs wrote. He wants to be a testimony of what you can do equipped with a second chance and Kelly wants to give more people that opportunity. “Make me an example of what a person can do if afforded a second chance,” he concluded.
As Sean Combs awaits sentencing, the court will weigh the testimonies against him and his own reflections on growth and responsibility. Whatever the outcome, it will have a significant impact on his legacy. It will further show us how broader society addresses questions of personal responsibility and the possibility of redemption when confronted with more serious charges.