Sean “P. Diddy” Combs’ sex-trafficking trial is approaching and, all of the whereas, the embattled 55-year-old rapper continues to face lawsuits and allegations whereas in jail. Earlier than his arrest in September 2024, although, Combs was embroiled in controversy on account of a video recorded in 2016. The footage appeared to indicate Combs in a resort, at which level he gave the impression to be assaulting then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. CNN launched the video and, now, Diddy’s legal professionals are claiming it’s an altered video, main the information community to reply.
What Was Proven In The Lodge Video And What Did Diddy’s Legal professionals Have To Say About It?
CNN launched the aforementioned footage, which was recorded at Los Angeles’ InterContinental Lodge, on Might 17, 2024. In it, Cassie Ventura seems to make her method in direction of an elevator after leaving a room, earlier than a towel-clad Diddy chases her and throws her to the bottom by her neck. Whereas a immobile Ventura is mendacity on the bottom, Diddy seems to kick her a number of instances The video additionally exhibits the Grammy winner throwing an object at Ventura and dragging her by her sweatshirt.
Per Individuals, Sean Combs’ authorized workforce filed paperwork this previous week, via which they alleged that the Warner Bros. Discovery-owned community purchased the one identified copy of the video. The legal professionals go on to allege that the corporate finally bought its arms on a free enhancing software program platform and altered the OG video. On high of that, the attorneys alleged that the unique footage was finally destroyed. You’ll be able to learn a portion of the letter from Combs’ camp:
All CNN video footage was considerably altered in vital respects. This contains masking the time stamp after which altering the video sequence. It additionally contains rushing up the video to make it falsely seem that the actions within the video are going down quicker than they’re. Consequently, the CNN movies don’t pretty and precisely depict the occasions in query.
Shortly after the video was launched final spring, Diddy issued an apology for his actions on social media, saying that his actions had been “inexcusable” and that he’d take “full accountability.” His statements had been subsequently criticized by Cassie Ventura’s lawyer, Meredith Firetog, who mentioned the businessman made the assertion “extra about himself than the many individuals he has damage.” After the latest alteration claims, Ventura’s different legal professional, Douglas H. Wigdor, referred to as out the “disingenuous argument” to have the video not proven at Diddy’s upcoming trial.
Whether or not or not the “Unhealthy Boy for Life” performer and his attorneys will probably be profitable stays to be clear, however they appear to be set on their arguments. All of the whereas, CNN seems to be standing firmly in its personal place.
What Did CNN Say About The Video Alteration Allegations?
Because the authorized submitting information broke, CNN launched a press release of its personal. The information group denied the claims made by Sean Combs’ associates:
CNN by no means altered the video and didn’t destroy the unique copy of the footage, which was retained by the supply. CNN aired the story concerning the video a number of months earlier than Combs was arrested.
The resort video sparked responses from individuals across the leisure business. Amongst these to remark had been varied individuals who’d had private dealings with P. Diddy over time. Fellow rapper Slim Thug spoke out on the matter, saying, on the time, that he “can’t stand behind this.” Former Unhealthy Boy Data signee Aubrey O’Day additionally weighed in and mentioned “Diddy didn’t apologize to Cassie” however merely “apologized to the world for seeing what he did.”
As for Sean Combs’ present circumstances, he’s incarcerated at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Heart (the place Luigi Mangione can be being stored.). Combs’ arrest got here months after his houses had been raided by the feds in connection to a sex-trafficking operation. The media mogul is charged with offenses together with intercourse trafficking and transportation to interact in prostitution, racketeering and arson. Might 5 will mark the beginning of his trial, which can or could not embrace the resort footage.