Sean “Diddy” Combs was once one of the world’s most popular entertainers, but his courtroom performance left little to be desired, according to experts.
The fallen rap mogul was sentenced to 50 months in prison on federal prostitution charges. Judge Arun Subramanian also requested the court impose five years of supervised release and for Diddy to pay a $500,000 fine.
Prior to receiving his sentence, the court heard from prosecutors that Diddy was already making immediate plans for a public speaking engagement in another state.
Diddy’s interest in pursuing business outside the case – and ahead of his sentencing – was a “slap in the face,” according to Harvard Law professor and OJ Simpson attorney Alan Dershowitz.
“I can’t imagine anything more stupid than that,” Dershowitz exclusively told Fox News Digital. “How anybody permitted him to do that … It’s just a slap in the face to the judge. It’s outrageous. I can’t imagine any lawyer or any responsible person allowing … I would have quit the case.”
“If I had been Diddy’s lawyer and Diddy had said, ‘I’m gonna make an arrangement, and I’m going to make it public.’ I would’ve said, ‘Yeah, and you’re going to get a new lawyer. I’m not representing somebody who is so stupid and arrogant.'”
He added, “I mean, I’m not Dr. Kevorkian. I don’t believe in walking my clients into a death chamber. And that was a kiss of death.”
Diddy’s eight-week trial – where jurors heard dozens of witness testimonies – concluded July 2. On sentencing day, the court received an 11-minute video featuring clips of the rapper with his kids when they were young, as well as current videos where his children professed their love for their father.
They praised their “inspiring” father for his unwavering support. The video also attempted to emphasize Diddy’s charitable contributions, which were mentioned by his defense during the hearing, throughout his life before his arrest in 2024.
Diddy cried as the 11-minute clip featuring home video of his family played in the courtroom. Robert Shapiro, Partner of Glaser Weil and OJ Simpson’s lawyer, told Fox News Digital that family testimony would be “extremely emotional,” but anything provided to the court would also give room for judgment.
“I would imagine there are many things that he has done that are positive,” Shapiro said. “But he’s got one big negative – that 11-minute video. Disappears with a 30-second video. And so a judge is weighing that and the guidelines specifically allow for conduct not considered in the guidelines.”
The 55-year-old rapper was nearly void of reaction throughout his sentencing hearing, but was overcome with emotion as his kids addressed the court. He then thanked the judge for giving him “a chance to speak” for himself as he spoke out for the first time.
“One of the hardest things has been to be quiet, not being able to express how sorry I am for my actions,” Diddy said. “I want to apologize again to Cassie Ventura for any harm I caused emotionally or physically. I don’t take that lightly.”
Diddy also apologized to Jane, who testified under a pseudonym during the trial. The rapper said, “I didn’t mean to hurt you. Sorry that I brought you into my mess.” Diddy also apologized to all victims of domestic violence.