Diddy addressed the court on Friday, October 3 during the sentencing hearing for his federal sex trafficking trial.
“One of the hardest things I’ve had to handle has been having to be quiet and not express how sorry I am for my actions,” he said, per Inner City Press. “I don’t take that lightly. I would like to apologize to Cassie Ventura and her family.”
Diddy went on to apologize to his children, saying, "I hate myself right now. I've been stripped down to nothing. I want to apologize to my seven children... I'm so sorry. You deserve better. To my mother, I feel... you taught me better."
Diddy wrapped up his speech by accepting responsibility for what he was convicted of. "I take full responsibility for my Mann Act convictions," he said. "They want you to make an example of me. I want you to think about making an example of what a person can do if they get another chance. Consider the beautiful children who spoke for me."
"No matter what anyone says, I know that I'm truly sorry," Diddy added. "Thank you, your honor."
Prosecutors are asking for Diddy to receive an 11-year, three-month prison sentence due to his conviction on two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution in violation of the Mann Act. He was found not guilty of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking. In the opening arguments at his sentencing, prosecutor Mary Slavik alleged that Diddy’s “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.”
One of Diddy’s attorneys later suggested that the events were teaching engagements’ for inmates in Florida.
Diddy’s legal team has been pushing for a 14-month sentence, which could have equated to being time served, so he could be released. His defense attorney, Marc Agnifilo, provided reasons to the court that he believes the mogul’s sentence should be light, claiming he has mental health challenges that he’s willing to address.
"Sean Combs has genuine psychological challenges," Agnifilo said, citing the death of Diddy’s father when he was just a child. "(In) 2014, 2017, 2020, he reported to three different doctors, and he had PTSD."
Diddy's legal team also alleged that he was nearly stabbed by an inmate while at MDC Brooklyn. According to lawyer Brian Steel, Diddy was almost attacked because of his celebrity status.
“Sean is not a typical person in custody; everyone knows him,” said Steel. “It’s a trophy for them; they get recognition if they harm him.”