Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs accuses news channel of ‘editing and destroying’ original Cassie assault video | Hollywood News
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ legal team is accusing news channel CNN of destroying what they claim was the only footage showing the disgraced music mogul assaulting Cassie in a hotel hallway back in 2016, according to court documents obtained TMZ. The joint letter, submitted both the defence and prosecution, addresses the handling of key evidence in the case ahead of the sex trafficking trial.
Combs’ attorneys allege that the media outlet purchased the surveillance video, which captured the incident at the now-closed Intercontinental Hotel in California. The footage was then released in May 2024, with claims that it was originally recorded on March 5, 2016.
Also read: Who is Sean “Diddy” Combs and why is his arrest significant?
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After the footage went public, Combs posted an Instagram video apologising for his actions, calling his behaviour “inexcusable,” without mentioning Cassie. He admitted he was “f–ked up” at the time but expressed regret for what happened.
Now, according to the letter (via TMZ), “CNN purchased the only known copy of the hotel’s surveillance footage, uploaded that footage into free editing software, altered the video, and then destroyed the original footage, even though it knew about and repeatedly reported on the federal investigation.”
Combs’ legal team argues that the footage was tampered with removing the time stamp and rearranging the video sequence. They also claim the video was sped up to make it look like the events took place more quickly than they actually did. Because of these alleged edits, the defence inss the footage doesn’t provide an accurate or fair representation of what really happened.
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Legal proceedings and trial
Combs was arrested in September 2024 on charges including sex trafficking, prostitution, and racketeering. His trial is set for May 5. Although he isn’t being prosecuted for the 2016 assault due to the statute of limitations, prosecutors want to use the video to prove a pattern of violent behavior.
So far, CNN has not responded publicly to the accusations that they altered the video or destroyed the original tape. Douglas Wigdor, Cassie Ventura’s lawyer, responded to Combs’ legal claims, calling them “disingenuous.” He believes the video accurately shows what happened and expects it to be admitted in court. Wigdor is confident Combs will be held accountable for his actions.
