Sean “Diddy” Combs. Toni Anne Barson/Getty Images
Prosecutors hoping to keep Sean “Diddy” Combs behind bars are slamming accusations that a video showing the rap mogul allegedly assaulting Cassie was edited.
Us Weekly was in a New York City courtroom on Friday, November 22, when prosecutors alleged that the 2016 video first released by CNN shows Diddy, 55, is a violent abuser who is a danger to society.
The prosecution also argued in court that there is no dispute as to what actually happened in the footage. They also pointed to Diddy acknowledging the video publicly on Instagram.
On May 19, Diddy addressed the video that showed him shoving and kicking his ex-girlfriend.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ infamous parties are being called into question amid the rapper’s legal troubles. After facing several sexual assault and abuse allegations from multiple people, Diddy, 54, was arrested in New York City on September 16 and later charged with sex trafficking and racketeering. In his 14-page indictment, Diddy was accused of orchestrating parties […]
“It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life,” he said via an Instagram video without naming Cassie, 38. “Sometimes you gotta do that. I was f—ed up. I mean I hit rock bottom but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video.”
“Disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it, I’m disgusted now,” he continued. “I went and I sought out professional help, going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry, but I’m committed to be a better man. Each and every day.”
One day before the hearing, Diddy’s attorneys argued that prosecutors were using a “manipulated version” of the video.
The defense insisted that the video did not depict a “freak off,” but rather a domestic dispute in which Diddy ran down the hall of a hotel to recover his clothes and cell phone.
“The more complete footage of the incident — in contrast to the government’s sensationalized CNN cut — contradicts the government’s representations,” defense attorney Alexandra Shapiro wrote in court documents obtained by ABC News. “[T]he video the government submitted to the Court omits footage corroborating the defense account, changes the sequence of events in material respects, and does not accurately depict the events.”
The Los Angeles District Attorney has reacted to the “disturbing” resurfaced video of Sean “Diddy” Combs allegedly assaulting then-girlfriend Cassie. “We are aware of the video that has been circulating online allegedly depicting Sean Combs assaulting a young woman in Los Angeles. We find the images extremely disturbing and difficult to watch,” the D.A.’s office […]
In court on Friday, the defense also alleged that Diddy and Cassie’s relationship included “mutually regrettable conduct that goes in both directions” and added, “This was a toxic, loving, 11-year relationship.”
Us Weekly has reached out to Cassie’s team for comment.
In November 2023, Cassie settled a lawsuit that accused Diddy of sexual assault and abuse. At the time, Diddy’s lawyer, Ben Brafman, said that the settlement does not indicate that Diddy is guilty.
This week, Diddy’s attorneys plan to continue their push to have their client released on $50 million bail as he awaits trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges. (Diddy has denied all allegations.)
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian is expected to make a bail decision in the coming days.
With reporting by Molly McGuigan
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
If you or someone you know is a human trafficking victim, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
