Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ lawyer, Brian Steel, reportedly had tears in his eyes as he pleaded with the judge to let the disgraced Bad Boy Records founder return home.
As reported by veteran legal reporter Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press, Steel gave his closing statements ahead of the sentencing in Diddy’s conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. “I am honored to practice in this majestic courthouse. I sit here with tears in my eyes, I can't believe we're hear. Sean has impacted America in such a positive manner,” said Steel. “Sean's father was killed when he was three. He was raised in Harlem in the 1970s, it was different. His mother had three jobs, moved them to Mount Vernon.”
Steel noted that Diddy was left “upset” after his best friend was shot in a Los Angeles drive-by shooting, and suggested that Diddy’s alleged dependency on drugs came from the painkillers he was prescribed after an operation. “On occasion he would hit the woman he loved. He loved Ms. [Cassie] Ventura. I have been with Sean more than my family since I met him. He has taken responsibility," Steel said. "He would have pled guilty to the Mann Act, but they wouldn't offer that.”
Steel also said that Diddy has "prayed for healing" during his 12 months and 17 days in jail. "There are certain people who gain prestige if they hurt him," he added. "The guard stopped a man with a shank... We ask Sean to be able to have a 14-month sentence. He has taken full accountability. He's not using drug addiction as a crutch. He is saying he wants to repair, he will never be a danger. He is a civil rights leader."
Diddy is set to be sentenced on Friday (Oct. 3), bringing an end to his highly publicized trial that kicked off in May and reached a verdict in July. He was ultimately found not guilty of RICO and sex trafficking charges, but was found guilty of the transportation to engage in prostitution charges, a violation of the Mann Act.
During his federal sex trafficking sentencing hearing on Friday, October 3, Diddy addressed the court.
“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.”
He also apologized 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 was arrested by Home Security officers in Manhattan in September 2024 following his indictment by a grand jury on three felonies. He pleaded not guilty and has maintained his innocence throughout the trial.