NEW YORK — Sean “Diddy” Combs ' sentencing hearing in a sordid case involving his girlfriends and male sex workers opened Friday with prosecutors arguing the hip-hop mogul should be locked up for years while his children tearfully asked the judge for mercy.

Prosecutors want an 11-year sentence for Combs , 55, who was convicted in July of flying people across state lines for marathon sexual encounters. Jurors acquitted him of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges that could have carried a life sentence.

Defense lawyers say he should be freed immediately, after spending more than a year in detention. They offered an atypical presentation at the sentencing hearing that reflected the unique nature of Combs as a wealthy and philanthropic celebrity who is well-versed in shapi

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