New York (USA), Oct. 3 (LaPresse/AP) – On the eve of his sentencing hearing, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs wrote to federal judge Arun Subramanian describing himself as “a new man” after a year in prison and the end of drug and alcohol abuse. “The old version of me died in prison and a new one was born. It’s live or die: I chose to live,” said the 55-year-old rapper and producer.
Combs was convicted in July on two counts related to prostitution, while he was acquitted of more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. Prosecutors are seeking at least 11 years in prison, while his lawyers argue that the year already served behind bars is a sufficient sentence.
In the letter, Combs admitted his responsibilities and apologized, particularly for the 2016 assault on his former partner Cassie Ventura, captured by security cameras and shown multiple times during the trial. In her own statement to the judge, Ventura dismissed his words of remorse, calling him “a manipulator, an abuser, a trafficker” and urging a sentence that reflects “the strength of the victims who found the courage to speak out.”
Combs also asked for a second chance, stressing that he has engaged in therapy, reading, and teaching while in prison. The sentence is expected Friday morning.