Sean "Diddy" Combs Pleads for Second Chance in Emotional Pre-Sentencing Letter: "The Old Me Died in Jail"

Sean "Diddy" Combs has appealed for mercy to a federal judge, not solely for himself but also for his seven children, on the day before his sentencing.

In an emotional letter addressed to Judge Arun Subramanian on Thursday, the 55-year-old music mogul expressed that he has transformed into a new person after realizing he was "broken to my core" during his year-long incarceration, sometimes questioning if death would be preferable.

Combs wrote that with his mind now clear from drugs and alcohol after spending a year in jail, he can recognize how corrupted he had become prior to his September 2024 arrest, which resulted in his conviction on two prostitution-related charges. His sentencing hearing is scheduled to begin Friday morning.

"There have been numerous occasions over the past year when I wanted to surrender completely. Some days I believed death would be better. The person I was died in jail, and I was reborn. Prison either transforms you or destroys you - I've chosen transformation," he stated.

A jury acquitted Combs of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges in July, sparing him from a potential life sentence. Each of the prostitution-related convictions carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment.

Combs' legal team argues that his year behind bars constitutes sufficient punishment and he should be released this month, while prosecutors are seeking at least 11 years of incarceration.

In his letter, Combs acknowledged that the past two years have been his most challenging, writing, "I have no one to blame for my current circumstances except myself."

"I've made many mistakes throughout my life, but I'm no longer evading responsibility," he wrote. "I deeply regret the pain I've caused, though I understand that simply saying 'I'm sorry' is inadequate and cannot erase past suffering."

Combs specifically apologized for physically assaulting his former girlfriend Casandra "Cassie" Ventura at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016—an incident captured on security footage that was repeatedly shown to jurors during his two-month trial.

"The images of me assaulting Cassie replay in my mind daily," Combs wrote. "I completely lost control. I was absolutely wrong to harm the woman I loved. I am sorry and will always remain so."

He also extended an apology to a woman who testified under the pseudonym "Jane," stating that "after hearing her testimony, I recognized that I hurt her. For this I am profoundly sorry."

Combs described how "the remorse, sorrow, regret, disappointment, and shame" from his behavior has made it "extremely difficult to forgive myself."

"It's like a profound wound leaving a permanent scar," he said. "I lost my direction. I became lost in my journey, consumed by drugs and excess. My downfall stemmed from selfishness."

During his incarceration, Combs shared that he has devoted time to reading, writing, exercising, and teaching other inmates a six-week course called "Free Game with Diddy," where he imparts business knowledge and lessons from his mistakes and failures.

He mentioned his commitment to therapy addressing his past substance abuse and anger issues. Now sober for the first time in 25 years, he is dedicated to ensuring "I never repeat these mistakes," he wrote.

Combs explained to Judge Subramanian that he was requesting mercy not only for himself but for his seven children and his 84-year-old mother, for whom he had been the primary caretaker. While incarcerated, he has missed significant family events including proms and graduations, as well as crucial developmental stages of his 2-year-old daughter.

"As I compose this letter, I am terrified. Frightened of spending another moment away from my mother and children," Combs wrote. "Fame and fortune no longer matter to me. Nothing is more important than my family."

He described the conditions of his detention at a Brooklyn federal facility as "inhumane," stating he is confined in a room with 25 other inmates, without windows or clean air, with broken facilities and water they must boil before consuming.

Combs pledged never to commit another crime, telling the judge that his time in jail has prompted a "spiritual reset."

Rather than imposing a lengthy sentence to make an example of him, Combs implored Subramanian to "let me demonstrate what a person can accomplish when given a second chance."

"If allowed to return to my family, I promise not to disappoint you and will make you proud," he concluded.