TMZ.com

Diddy's camp doesn't have a dry eye in the courtroom as his sentencing hearing plays out ... and even he needed a box of tissues after mostly keeping a poker face on throughout his criminal case.

The Bad Boy Records founder grabbed a tissue and dabbed his eye Friday as his defense played a nearly 12-minute-long video that presented him as a great father and pillar of the community.

The video followed tearful pleas from his six adult children who begged for their father to come home ... and when it was his daughters' turn to speak, Diddy broke down.

For Sean "Diddy" Combs, judgment day has finally arrived as he awaits his punishment in his case following his convictions in his NYC federal criminal trial.

Diddy will be present in federal court Friday morning with his defense team -- led by Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos -- as well as the prosecutors and, of course, Judge Arun Subramanian.

Megachurch pastor Robert Morris won't be preaching to the choir anytime soon ... because he pled guilty to five counts of lewd and indecent acts with a child Thursday.

Morris entered his plea in Oklahoma's Osage County District Court, and he was given a 10-year prison sentence -- but he's only gonna have to serve six months, according to NBC News. He'll also have to register as a sex offender and pay $250,000 in restitution as part of his plea agreement.

FYI ... Morris founded Gateway Church in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas in 2000. The church's congregation grew into the tens of thousands, and he later became associated with President Donald Trump.

One of Sean "Diddy" Combs's defense attorneys just broke down in tears in court ... Nicole Westmoreland is getting emotional as she discusses why the mogul has been so important to his community.

Westmoreland says Diddy was a shining example for Black people with his business empire ... pointing to his record label, fashion line, TV network and liquor brand. She says he sent a message and inspired others.

Sniffling and sobbing as part of her emotional plea, Westmoreland said Diddy changed the culture, changed the industry and changed people's lives, "because what people recognized is that if Mr. Combs could do it, then they could do it too."

Diddy's defense team is giving way to his family ... and Diddy's six adult children are up in front of the court, explaining why their father deserves his freedom.

First up was Quincy Brown, who claimed Diddy was "completely transformed" and would never do anything again to jeopardize his freedom.

Justin Combs was next, and he said his father is his "superhero" who taught him to believe in God. He asked the judge to give Diddy a second chance.

Early fireworks at the Diddy sentencing hearing ... federal prosecutors are slamming him as overconfident, and they say his respect for the rule of law is just "lip service."

Prosecutor Christy Slavik is coming out swinging in the government's opening statement ... she's insinuating Diddy's expecting to walk free as early as today, claiming Diddy booked speaking engagements for next week in Miami.

Slavik says, "That is the height of hubris."

Melissa Rycroft allegedly claimed to be the victim of a hit-and-run before cops arrested her for driving while intoxicated ... but, they say a witness totally contradicted the claim.

We've obtained a search warrant from law enforcement in Tarrant County, Texas ... which states officers responded to a call just after noon on September 23 -- where they say they found Melissa standing with an off-duty firefighter and swaying.

The officer claims Melissa had "bloodshot eyes, slurred speech" and alleges she "had a slight odor of a metabolized alcoholic beverage" on her breath.

Diddy's lawyers are painting him as a loving father and pillar of the community during his sentencing ... and, we've got the video they plan to use to get that message across.

The defense released a nearly 12-minute-long vid they already submitted to the court ... which begins by showing Diddy sitting with his kids -- speaking softly to his twin daughters, D'Lila and Jessie.

The rapper plays with a paper puppet and sits on the floor while his kiddos try to steal his sunglasses ... looking every bit the attentive father.

Diddy's family is showing up to see the conclusion of the federal case against him ... appearing somber as they headed into a NYC courthouse to hear his sentence firsthand.

The rapper's mother, Janice, arrived at court first ... looking angelic in an all-white power suit -- and she gave a little wave to the assembled crowd of reporters and well-wishers.

Christian Combs and his girlfriend, Raven Tracy, strode in together ... before Quincy Brown, Jessie Combs, D'Lila Combs and Chance Combs walked up as a long human chain -- hands clasped tightly together.

Ray J has responded to Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner's defamation lawsuit ... and his rebuttal is as stunning as it is brazen.

TMZ broke the news ... Kim and Kris were fed up with Ray J claiming they're the subject of a federal criminal racketeering investigation ... and slapped him with a suit for defamation.

On a recent livestream, Ray went through the lawsuit ... and said they were trying to make him a "slave" ... and prior millions they allegedly paid him as hush money went unmentioned in the paperwork.

Diddy is staring down one of the biggest days of his life -- his prison sentencing -- and now just one day before that goes down, he’s been hit with two new sexual assault lawsuits.

In new court docs -- obtained by TMZ -- Lakeisha Ward and Dejoan Bledsoe ... both represented by attorney Tony Buzbee, who’s unleashed a flurry of cases against the hip-hop mogul -- claim in separate lawsuits they were sexually assaulted by the mogul.

Ward alleges Diddy drugged and sexually assaulted her at a pool party he hosted at his L.A. home in 2018.

6:10 PM PT -- Melissa's lawyer Bret Martin tells TMZ ... "I want to remind the public of the fundamental principle of our justice system…every individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty. We, as a society, have gotten completely away from this fundamental concept. My Client was arrested  on the allegation of Driving While Intoxicated. An arrest is no indication of guilt."

He continues ... "It is imperative that we closely examine the circumstances of this case-including the conduct of law enforcement, the toxicology results, and the facts surrounding her arrest-before any conclusions are drawn. We respectfully request that the media and the public allow the legal process to unfold, and withhold any judgment whatsoever until all of the evidence has been properly analyzed and presented in a court of law."

Melissa Rycroft was arrested for driving while intoxicated this month ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the former 'Bachelor' star was busted for DWI in the Dallas/Fort Worth area on September 23. We're told she was taken into custody and booked into the local jail, where she sat for 8 hours before being released. She posted a $1,000 bond with a promise to appear in court.

The exact details of her arrest remain unclear at this point, but what is clear .. she's now facing a court date in connection with the charge.

Diddy is taking responsibility for his actions ... telling the judge in his case he's sorry for all the hurt and pain he's caused others through his actions.

The rapper filed a four-page letter Thursday ahead of his Friday sentencing hearing ... beginning with the apology before admitting the last two years have been the hardest of his life -- and there is "no one to blame for my current reality and situation but myself."

Diddy says he's learned a lot since he was incarcerated a little more than a year ago ... explaining pain became his teacher -- and going on to say his "downfall was rooted in his selfishness."

50 Cent's screwing with Diddy a day before the mogul finds out whether he's headed off to prison or if he gets to go home ... telling the judge to think of the general public's need for baby oil.

The rapper shared the message on Instagram Thursday afternoon ... kicking it off by addressing Judge Arun Subramanian directly and mentioning his longstanding beef with Puffy.

50 claims he's feared for his life multiple times over the years, and he wants the judge to think about the "safety of the general public" when it comes to his impending sentence.

Diddy's standing up for a pair of doctors who evaluated his sexual proclivities -- giving him 2 thumbs up -- and says they'll be in court ready to testify during his sentencing.

On the eve of his sentencing in federal court, Diddy filed docs with Judge Arun Subramanian, urging him to ignore the prosecution's pleas to disregard evaluations from 2 renowned doctors specializing in sexual disorders.

In the documents, he says Dr. Kreuger -- a Columbia University psychiatrist -- signed off on Diddy being "in complete control of his sexual urges and behavior."

1:55 PM PT -- Aaron Phypers' request was denied by the judge due to "Insufficient evidence of immediate loss or damage to property subject to disposition in the case." In the order, the judge reminds both sides to adhere to the terms of their respective restraining orders ... and writes Aaron may file a request "seeking attorney fees and or interim spousal support."

11:11 AM PT -- Denise Richards just filed a response to Aaron Phypers' request ... She does not consent to the order requested and wants it denied.

Aaron Phypers is asking a judge to order Denise Richards to give him access to their joint bank accounts ... because he says he needs $150,000 or he might end up homeless.

The actor filed the document earlier this week ... and, in it, he claims Phypers and Richards had millions of dollars in joint accounts before he filed for divorce, saying Richards "took control of the accounts and has not allowed me access to any of the funds."

Phypers acknowledges a good chunk of the money comes from Denise's OnlyFans ... though he also mentions he took many of the photos on the page -- and insists he owns the copyright to those pics.