Repeatedly at Sean Combs’s trial this summer, witnesses described him as “larger than life,” an all-powerful celebrity and businessman who got whatever he wanted.
At his sentencing hearing on Friday, where a judge sentenced Mr. Combs to more than four years in prison, the music mogul expressed how he felt about that view after more than a year in detention. His voice shook as he stood at the defense counsel’s table.
“I’m not this larger-than-life person,” he said. “I’m just a human being.”
It was the first time that Mr. Combs, who did not testify at his trial, made any substantial comments in court about his case. He was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, and acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
In his 12-minute allocution on Friday afternoon, after hours of arguments by Mr. Combs’s lawyers and tearful testimonials by family members, Mr. Combs apologized to Casandra Ventura and “Jane,” the two women who testified as victims at his trial, and asked for leniency from Judge Arun Subramanian, who oversaw his trial.
“I beg your honor for mercy,” he said.
He called his conduct “disgusting, shameful and sick,” referring to assaults of Ms. Ventura and Jane, his former girlfriends who took part in drug-fueled sex marathons with male escorts.
His mother and his faith had taught him better, Mr. Combs said.
“My domestic violence,” he said, “will always be a heavy burden that I will have to forever carry.”
He also spoke of the toll of his misdeeds.
“Because of my decisions, I lost my freedom,” Mr. Combs said, “I lost the opportunity to effectively raise my children and be there for my mother.”
“I lost all my businesses,” he added. “I lost my career. I totally destroyed my reputation.”
“Your honor, I know that the prosecution wants you to make an example of me,” Mr. Combs said. “I just want you to think about making an example of what a person can do if they get another chance.”
Minutes after Mr. Combs spoke, the judge sentenced Mr. Combs.
Ben Sisario, a reporter covering music and the music industry, has been writing for The Times for more than 20 years.
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