Sean “Diddy” Combs Says He “Lost His Mind” During Cassie Assault in Written Apology

Sean “Diddy” Combs offered an apology for assaulting his ex Cassie Ventura in a letter to the judge in his sex trafficking case, one day before he is due to be sentenced.

Watch: Sean “Diddy” Combs Says He “Lost His Mind” During Cassie Assault in Written Apology

Sean “Diddy” Combs is speaking out on his relationship with ex Cassie Ventura.

One day before the music mogul—who was found guilty of two prostitution-related charges in July and acquitted on counts of racketeering and sex trafficking—is due to be sentenced, he penned a letter to the judge in his case in which he addressed surveillance footage from 2016 that showed him assaulting the “Me & U” singer in a hotel hallway.

“The scene and images of me assaulting Cassie play over and over in my head daily,” Combs, 55, wrote in a letter to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian obtained by NBC News Oct. 2. “I literally lost my mind. I was dead wrong for putting my hands on the woman that I loved. I’m sorry for that and always will be.”

“My domestic violence will always be a heavy burden that I will have to forever carry,” he continued. “The remorse, the sorrow, the regret, the disappointment, the shame.”

Combs—who is dad to Christian “King” Combs, Justin Combs, Quincy Brown, Chance Combs, Jessie Combs, D’Lila Combs and Love Combs—also noted that being a father made his actions harder to accept.

How Cassie Ventura Is Moving On After Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Sex Trafficking Trial

“I honestly feel sorry for something that I couldn’t forgive someone else for: if they put their hands on one of my daughters,” he said. “This is why it is so hard for me to forgive myself. It is like a deep wound that leaves an ugly scar.”

E! News has reached out to Ventura’s rep for comment but has not heard back.

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During Combs’ trial earlier this year, Ventura, 39, was a key witness for the prosecution, testifying about the physical and emotional abuse she suffered during her decade-long relationship with the hip-hop star. (The two officially ended their on-and-off romance in 2018.)

Earlier this week, Judge Subramanian—who presided over Combs’ trial—denied a request by the rapper’s defense team for an acquittal and a new trial, noting that “the government at trial presented overwhelming evidence of Combs’ guilt under the Mann Act on many occasions with respect to” Ventura and another ex who only went by Jane, per a ruling obtained by Deadline.

“That evidence consisted of testimony from Ventura and Jane, testimony from the escorts involved, and evidence from text messages and emails,” the ruling continued. “The government proved its case many times over.”

And while Cassie has yet to speak out publicly on Combs’ apology, her lawyer Douglas Wigdor previously provided insight into how she and her legal team felt about his guilty verdicts.

“She displayed unquestionable strength and brought attention to the realities of powerful men in our orbit and the misconduct that has persisted for decades without repercussion,” Wigdor said in a July 2 statement to E! News. “This case proved that change is long overdue, and we will continue to fight on behalf of survivors.”

Keep reading for more details on Combs’ sex trafficking trial…

(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

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Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Sentencing Date Set

In July, Judge Arun Subramanian scheduled Sean “Diddy” Combs‘ sentencing date for Oct. 3, 2025. Subramanian denied Combs’ request to be released on bond ahead of the sentencing, citing the rapper’s “years-long pattern of violence” as a reason for him to remain behind bars.

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Ex-Girlfriend Cassie Ventura’s Lawyer Reacts to Verdict

After Combs was found not guilty of racketeering conspiracy as well as sex trafficking ex Cassie Ventura and ex “Jane“—though he was found guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution of both women—the singer’s lawyer reacted to the verdicts.

“This entire criminal process started when our client Cassie Ventura had the courage to file her civil complaint in November 2023,” Douglas Wigdor said in a July 2 statement to E! News. “Although the jury did not find Combs guilty of sex trafficking Cassie beyond a reasonable doubt, she paved the way for a jury to find him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution. By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice.”

Noting the charges—which Combs pleaded not guilty to—Wigdor added, “We must repeat – with no reservation – that we believe and support our client who showed exemplary courage throughout this trial.”

Wigdor also praised Ventura, who was one of 34 witnesses called to the standing during Combs’ 29-day trial, for her effort.

“She displayed unquestionable strength and brought attention to the realities of powerful men in our orbit and the misconduct that has persisted for decades without repercussion,” he continued. “This case proved that change is long overdue, and we will continue to fight on behalf of survivors.”

Elizabeth Williams via AP

Sean “Diddy” Combs Reacts to Split Verdict

Upon hearing that he was acquitted on three of the five charges in his federal court case, Combs—who faced life in prison if convicted on all charges—got on his knees and placed his head down in a chair, in a prayer-like position, according to NBC News reporters in the courtroom.

Per the news organization, Combs’ family stood in the courtroom, clapping and cheering for the music mogul’s fate. The defense attorneys hugged each other, while Combs hugged lawyer Brian Steel.