Summary: Combs’ sentencing hearing so far
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sentencing is continuing after a brief lunch break, as a judge considers the convicted hip-hop mogul’s punishment.
Here’s a brief summary of the sentencing hearing so far. The court is set to reconvene at 2:15 p.m. Eastern Time.
In July, the 55-year-old Combs was convicted of flying people around the country for sexual encounters, including his girlfriends and male sex workers. He was acquitted by a jury of more serious racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges.
Prosecutors say he should spend more than 11 years in prison for his conviction for “transportation to engage in prostitution,” the AP reports. And Combs’ attorneys want him freed now. The prosecutors argued this morning that Combs deserved the 11 years to also deter more people from committing such crimes. They also argued that he had not owned up to his crimes and instead chose to portray himself as a victim in a letter addressed to the judge on Thursday night.
Combs’ attorneys have attempted to portray him as a changed man deserving leniency from the judge. One of his attorneys, Nicole Westmoreland, even teared up during the sentencing hearing when discussing Combs’ accomplishments as a Black entrepreneur.
Six of his children took the stand, with two of his daughters breaking down in tears as they read their prepared statements. Combs, himself, also cried during the hearing.
Before the lunch break, Combs’ attorneys played an 11-minute-long video, where Combs is seen with his children, praying and engaging in philanthropic work.
Attorneys also emphasized that Combs taught classes in jail and gave advice to other inmates at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, a looming federal prison in the Sunset Park neighborhood.
Three more defense lawyers – and even Combs himself – are expected to speak in court after returning from lunch.
Key events
The sentencing hearing for Sean “Diddy” Combs is back in session, with federal judge Arun Subramanian back on the bench.
Summary: Combs’ sentencing hearing so far
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sentencing is continuing after a brief lunch break, as a judge considers the convicted hip-hop mogul’s punishment.
Here’s a brief summary of the sentencing hearing so far. The court is set to reconvene at 2:15 p.m. Eastern Time.
In July, the 55-year-old Combs was convicted of flying people around the country for sexual encounters, including his girlfriends and male sex workers. He was acquitted by a jury of more serious racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges.
Prosecutors say he should spend more than 11 years in prison for his conviction for “transportation to engage in prostitution,” the AP reports. And Combs’ attorneys want him freed now. The prosecutors argued this morning that Combs deserved the 11 years to also deter more people from committing such crimes. They also argued that he had not owned up to his crimes and instead chose to portray himself as a victim in a letter addressed to the judge on Thursday night.
Combs’ attorneys have attempted to portray him as a changed man deserving leniency from the judge. One of his attorneys, Nicole Westmoreland, even teared up during the sentencing hearing when discussing Combs’ accomplishments as a Black entrepreneur.
Six of his children took the stand, with two of his daughters breaking down in tears as they read their prepared statements. Combs, himself, also cried during the hearing.
Before the lunch break, Combs’ attorneys played an 11-minute-long video, where Combs is seen with his children, praying and engaging in philanthropic work.
Attorneys also emphasized that Combs taught classes in jail and gave advice to other inmates at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, a looming federal prison in the Sunset Park neighborhood.
Three more defense lawyers – and even Combs himself – are expected to speak in court after returning from lunch.
Meanwhile, outside of the courthouse, an exotic dancer who testified at the trial is promoting a self-help book that he wrote.
Sharay Hayes who went by the stage name “The Punisher” testified at the trial about being paid to have sex with Combs’ girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
“It’s been a crazy couple of months for me,” he said, reported the Associated Press.
Hayes said he believes that the judge should sentence Diddy to the time he’s already served in jail.
Cassie has asked for a tougher sentence. She told the court she was manipulated into participating in sexual encounters with other men, and that Combs frequently beat her.
The sentencing hearing is now breaking for lunch until 2:15PM ET, when more of Combs’ lawyers and supporters are set to speak.
The lunch break follows the defense playing an approximately 11 minute-long video where Combs is seen with his children, praying and engaging in philanthropic work, according to the Associated Press.
Star’s children tell court their father is a ‘changed man’
Combs’ children are now addressing the court.
Quincy Brown, Combs’ eldest son, and his brother, Justin Brown, are currently speaking in support of their father alongside their four other siblings.
Quincy said that he and his siblings love their father unconditionally, and that Combs has since become a “changed man” who has learned his lesson, reported NBC News.
Justin added that he hopes his father will be granted the opportunity “to right this wrong and to be the man he truly is.” He added that Combs is now drug-free.
Chance Combs, his eldest daughter, told the judge that while her father was incarcerated, she has seen changes in him that “feel real and lasting,” according to the New York Times.
“When we talk he speaks with a clear mind and sense of purpose that I didn’t always hear before,” she said.
Combs was seen crying and wiping away tears as his children spoke.
Defense lawyer in tears as she tells court Combs helped and inspired many people
Another defense lawyer, Nicole Westmoreland, reportedly broke down in tears while discussing Combs’ importance to the Black community stemming from his entrepreneurial work in fashion, liquor, TV and music, in addition to owning a record label.
Westmoreland described the “help and inspiration” Combs has given others throughout his life, and the commitment that Combs made while he’s been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center, reported the New York Times.
“Mr. Combs starting his own record label as a Black, young male back then was almost kind of jokeable. But he had the audacity to do it anyway,” Westmoreland said.
“This changed the industry, and it changed the culture, but more importantly, it changed countless individuals’ lives, because what people recognized is that if Mr. Combs could do it, then they could do it too,” she said, according to CNN.
“Mr. Combs wearing all of those hats,” she added, “sent a message that you can do it. You don’t just have to be signed to a label, you can be the label.”
Defense attorney Jason Driscoll has begun his statement.
Multiple defense attorneys are expected to speak on Combs’ behalf. Driscoll said he will be addressing sentencing disparities.
Driscoll began by recapping his client’s convictions under the Mann Act on the lowest end of the spectrum of severity. The Mann Act is often used to prosecute defendants who profited from commercial sex operations, exploited minors or transported vulnerable victims.
“Sean Combs did not make a single cent off his Mann Act conduct,” he said, according to CNN. “That aggravating factor is completely off the table in this case.”
The prosecutors have acknowledged that Combs did not profit from the prostitution in this case, Driscoll said.
Prosecutor says Combs’ letter to judge shows he casts himself as ‘victim in this scenario’
Slavik criticized Combs’ Thursday night letter which sought leniency from the judge, saying that he portrayed himself as the victim of his own bad behavior.
“Even in his submission last night, his remorse was qualified,” Slavik said, according to the Associated Press.
In the letter, Combs wrote: “My domestic violence will always be a heavy burden that I will have to forever carry.”
Slavik argued that the framing of the letter is an attempt by Combs to cast himself as “the victim in this scenario.”
The prosecutor added: “This is not a person who has accepted responsibility.”
Prosecutor tells court Combs booked speaking engagements ‘for next week’
Prosecutor Christy Slavik is giving her statement.
“Today is about accountability and justice. Accountability for the defendant, who committed serious federal crimes repeatedly over the course of 15 years. And justice for the public, including for the victims whose lives have been shattered by the defendant’s acts of abuse and exploitation,” Slavik said, reported CNN.
She added: “This isn’t just a case about ‘Freak Offs’ or ‘hotel nights.’ It’s not just a case about sex. It’s a case with real victims who’ve suffered real harm at the hands of the defendant who, because of the defendant, have questioned their own self-worth and desire to live.”
Many in the courtroom reportedly reacted with shock when Slavik told the judge that Combs had already booked speaking engagements in Miami “for next week,” appearing to anticipate that he would be let off with a light sentence.
“That is the height of hubris,” Slavik said, according to the New York Times.
Judge Subramanian has given prosecutors the freedom to cite “acquitted conduct,” a term used in reference to actions by Combs in charges for which he was found not guilty.
“The court will be best to determine whether it qualifies as relevant conduct,” the judge said, reported NBC News. “We consider all the facts to impose the sentence, but not greater than necessary.”
A rule from the federal sentencing commission that went into effect in 2024 limits judges from considering “acquitted conduct” when calculating sentencing guidelines. But the judge said the law still allows him to still consider such conduct for the sentence.
So, despite Combs being cleared of the most serious charges, testimony about the alleged coercion he may have used against former girlfriends Jane and Mia can still be cited by the prosecution.
Witness expected to address court no longer wishes to speak, prosecutors say
A woman, referred to only by the pseudonym “Mia” throughout Combs’ trial, was expected to offer a witness impact statement during Combs’ sentencing today. However, moments after the hearing started, it was announced that she no longer wished to speak.
Instead, she submitted a victim impact statement that prosecutors are asking the court to consider in Combs’ sentencing, reports Reuters.
According to the prosecution, Mia has decided against speaking at the hearing because of a letter the defense submitted that accused her of being a liar.
The letter “can only be described as bullying,” said prosecutor Christy Slavik. “It appears the defense is trying to drown out the voices of victims in favor of character witnesses.”
The judge agreed with Slavik and said the tone of the letter was “inappropriate.”
Judge Arun Subramanian has entered the courtroom and taken the bench.
“Good morning and good morning to you, Mr. Combs,” the judge said.
“Good morning, your honor,” Combs replied.
Judge Subramanian then explained how the hearing will unfold, confirming he has received large amounts of paperwork from both sides of the case, and that he’s ready to proceed.
“I have read all the material and read the letters and greatly appreciate those,” he told the court.
The papers include sentencing memos, exhibits, letters from family friends and inmates, and a defense video.
Combs sentencing hearing begins
The hearing has begun. Combs was just brought into the packed courtroom, escorted by deputy US marshals.
Combs was transported to the courthouse Friday morning from the Metropolitan Detention Center, the Brooklyn federal jail where he’s been held since his arrest in September 2024.
Combs arrived wearing a light-colored sweater over a button-down shirt and dress pants, having gotten permission by the judge to wear “non-prison clothing” as he did throughout his trial. He greeted his family, hugged his lawyers and supporters as he walked to the defense table.
The sentencing hearing is set to begin at 10AM ET. The hearing could run into Monday, as the prosecution and defense have reportedly both prepared hours-long presentations.
It could be hours before Diddy addresses the court, CNN reported this morning. Ultimately, it’s up to the judge to decide how much time he will allocate to each side.
Combs’ children arrive at court
Chance Combs, D’Lila Combs and Jessie Combs, three of Combs’ children, have arrived at the courthouse for the sentencing hearing.
Judge Subramanian is also considering other letters submitted by some of Combs’ accusers.
A former personal assistant who said Combs raped her in 2010 asked Subramanian to deliver a sentence “that takes into account the ongoing danger my abuser poses to me, and to others.” The former assistant, who testified under the pseudonym “Mia,” is expected to speak at today’s sentencing.
Combs’ mother, Janice Combs, arrives
Combs’ mother Janice Combs has arrived at the courthouse.
