Sean 'Diddy' Combs sentencing live updates: Combs gets 50 months in prison

Sean Combs will devote his time trying to help other incarcerated people if the judge releases him, the rap mogul’s attorney vowed.

More than four hours into today’s sentencing, attorney Xavier Donaldson and Giovanni Sairras – the director of a Miami-based re-entry program – told U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian that Combs would try to continue the motivational speaking and business training classes he began while incarcerated in Brooklyn.

"I’ve noticed that his impact is so great that it changed the lives of those in the housing unit where Mr. Combs is housed," Sairras said. "He has become an asset to the government."

Prosecutors had criticized Combs for already scheduling multiple speaking engagements this month, arguing he does not understand the gravity of the crimes he committed. According to a court filing yesterday, Combs has scheduled seven engagements in October to deliver entrepreneurship, life skills, and mentoring classes to incarcerated people.

"He doesn’t fully grapple with how his actions got him here," AUSA Christy Slavik argued. "His respect for the law is just lip service."

Donaldson responded to the criticism by arguing that Combs is just trying to be prepared and continue his rehabilitation if he gets released.

"It’s not lip service to say Mr. Combs has engagements after he gets out of jail," he said. "These are purposes that are designed to ensure Mr. Combs remains compliant."

Defense attorneys are focusing on Sean Combs' character as they argue for a light sentence.

“He is a fighter for civil liberties and equality,” defense attorney Brian Steel said.

“Mr. Combs has inspired generations and generations to follow,” defense attorney Nicole Westmoreland said. “Mr. Combs personally inspired me.”

Steel said Combs wishes to return to Miami to care for his mother, be with his children and “be used by the community” as a spokesperson for avoiding drugs and living a crime-free life.

“Sean looks in the mirror and all he sees is the pain he has given to others,” Steel said. “Sean Combs is a leader. He is a civil rights leader. His good outweighs his bad, by far.”

Steel also reinforced the central argument put forth by the defense: that “freak-offs” were consensual, and the punishment should only reflect the crimes he was convicted of.

“You are not sentencing Sean for RICO or sex trafficking,” Steel said.

Rev. Gary Johnson, a Miami pastor, urged the judge to free Combs from custody and place him in the care of his community.

“Give him to us. I’ll be personally responsible,” Johnson said.

Defense lawyers’ attempt to secure Sean Combs a lenient sentence continued Friday afternoon with his attorney claiming he has "untreated trauma" that he says has colored the rap mogul’s life.

In a speech that repeated many of the arguments in their written filings, attorney Brian Steel highlighted how Combs grew up "in total poverty," was raised by a single mother after the death of his father, and yet succeeded in the music industry.

However, Steel told U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian that Combs’ life turned for the worse because of a "serious drug addiction that got out of hand.” According to Steel, Combs’ addiction began after he was prescribed medication after a medical procedure in the early 2000's.

"He lost his way. He was medicated because his body was hurt. His emotions were hurt," Steel said.

Steel argued that Combs had been “punished severely” during his year at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. He said that Combs has made the most of his time in prison by helping others and becoming sober for the first time in 25 years.

"He has not seen daylight except when he is transported to the courtroom," Steel claimed.

Steel also claimed that Combs has been punished enough through the business and reputational damage, claiming some of the media have treated him "like a leper."

"That name and prestige is gone," Steel said. "He has cursed his children with that name."

Steel also said that Combs’ "money is gone" as he claims he is fighting nearly 100 civil lawsuits and irreparable reputational harm.

"I don't know who among us would trade places with Sean Combs," Steel said. "He is completely broken. No one needs to give Sean any speeches; nobody needs to tell him that he needs to take responsibility. He has punished himself more than anyone would be able to punish him and it will stay with him for the rest of his days."

Dozens of family and friends came to support Sean Combs at his sentencing hearing, with so many supporters that the court gave him an additional row. Among those in the courtroom are Combs’ mother, Combs’ sister, his six oldest children and all of the living mothers of his children.

Despite the additional row for supporters, several people who showed up to support Combs were turned away from the main courtroom and sent to the overflow room.

Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Gina Hyunh -- who identified herself as "Victim 3" in the government’s indictment, but has since alleged in a letter she was "pressured to feel like a victim" by prosecutors and she believes Combs should be released -- sat with the public in the courtroom.

When Combs’ six children approached the podium together to address the judge, they held onto one another for support. They were all in tears when they gave impassioned pleas to the judge in support of their father.

Combs was emotional as his children spoke, often wiping away tears and hanging his head.

When the defense team played a video of Combs’ life and achievements, Combs began sobbing and tapping his feet incessantly.