The Magnat Hip-Hop Sean “Didi” Combs was sentenced to a little more than four years in prison on Friday after he was convicted of charges of prostitution with his two former girls.
Combs’s lawyers advocated a 14-month sentence, saying that their client was reformed after he was serving 13 months in a New York prison, but the prosecutors wanted 11 years, citing the history of his violence in the family.
In addition to the prosecutor’s office, describing in detail the abuse of the Combs, the court heard from several children of Combs, some sob openly; Lawyers who called him inspirational; And finally, the assuming combs himself.
In the end, Judge Arun Subramanyan said that a significant offer was required as a restraining factor and send a message.
Before the judge issued a 50 -month sentence, the Combs turned to the court – his first public words from the moment the trial began.
Combs apologized to his victims, in particular, calling two former friends, Kazandra Ventura and Jane, who testified under the pseudonym.
“My actions were disgusting, shameful and sick,” he said. “I was lost in abundance, I was lost in my ego.”
He continued to apologize to his mother and children.
“I'm really sorry. They deserved better, ”he said, referring to seven children, most of whom were in the courtroom.
Then he begged the judge a second chance, saying that he would never be at risk of time with his family. “I ask your honor about mercy. I ask your honor by mercy, ”said Combs.
“I have no one to blame except myself. I know that I learned the lesson. ”
In the almost two-month federal court in New York, the prosecutors accused the Combs of using his celebrity status and an extensive business empire to manage the criminal enterprise and the sexual movement of his former friends.
The prosecutors claimed that COMBS for sexual trade in women in sex merchants through “ugly” or meetings in which he pays male escorts to have sex with his friends while he watched and shot.
The government claimed that Combs forced women to undesirable sexual contacts with drugs and physical violence.
The 55-year-old Combs was not found in July for the most serious accusations against him, in a racket, conspiracy and sexual trade in his two former friends, Miss Ventura and Jane. He was convicted of two charges of transportation for participating in prostitution.
Most of the morning of Friday, Combs supported non -active behavior, sitting in his place and quietly listening to the prosecutors accused him of destroying the life of his victims.
The prosecutor Christie Slavik claimed that a more stringent sentence was more suitable for the seriousness of his actions. An easier sentence “will allow the defendant to get away with the years of domestic violence and abuse,” she said.
“Today is devoted to responsibility and justice,” she said.
Referring to statements about the victims and testimonies of Miss Ventura and Jane Dow, who spoke in detail about home violence in their relationship with combing, she reminded the judge about the photographs that the court saw about the injuries of two women, which, according to them, were caused by the ComBS.
“He does not need money, his currency was control,” says the prosecutor. “This is the accused who will pose a danger at any age.”
Nevertheless, the defense claimed that the Combs is not a pimp and that the charges of prostitution, which he was convicted of, is not applied. “All pimps have one aggravating factor,” said lawyer Jason Driscall. “They earn money.”
The condemnation was based on the Manna law adopted in 1910, which forensic transportation of women and girls for “the goal of prostitution or debauchery, or for any other immoral goal.” Mr. Driscall said that the main difference is money, indicating that Combs did not win financial benefits from crimes.
The defense painted the complexes as reformal, describing his positive contribution to the Brooklyn prison, New York, where he is held and refers to “unprocessed injury and brutal drug addiction” as factors in his behavior.
“Mr. Combs personally inspired me,” said the defense lawyer Nicole Westmorland, panting her tears. She said that Combs begins her own label and a clothing line, which, according to her, also inspired other black entrepreneurs and musicians.
After spending 13 months in prison, the Combs was “repentance,” said M -Westmorland. “Your honor, he gets it, just put it.”
Combs’s children – some sobbing – also entrusted his transformation in prison. Perhaps the most emotional part of the day, one called him a “changed person”, and the other asked for a “second chance” for his father.
Combs looked, it seemed, holding back tears and sometimes ending his face in his hands.
“Before you, and in front of us was a changed person. It developed, which we have not seen in 15 years, ”said Combs's son Kuinshi Brown.
Dalila Combs, 18 years old, begged: “We cannot observe how our younger sister will grow up without a father just as we grew up without a mother … Please give our family a chance to heal.”
After that, the judge Subramanian thanked them, saying that they would help him in his decision.
Combs will receive a loan for its 50-month period for about 13 months, which he served in prison before and during the trial. He will also have to pay a fine of $ 500,000.
After the hearing, Combs’s lawyer Mark Agnifilo said that the law group plans to appeal the decision.
In his sentence, the judge said that Combs’s actions were more than the consumer of prostitution, as the defense claimed, and that he was not convinced that ComBS did not re -improve repetition in case of release.
The defense played a 15-minute video emphasizing the achievements of Combs, and Judge Subramanian admitted that he examined his participation in charitable organizations and helped the black community and his deep family ties.
But he rejected the image of the protection of his relationship with Miss Ventura and Jane as intimate and agreed. “You insult them, physically, emotionally and psychologically,” he said.
The judge said that both women had an injury that would last all his life. “You had money and power to preserve it,” he said. “It was a submission.”
“This is the reality of what happened.”
