Sean “Diddy” Combs’ lawyers have asked the court to exclude the 2016 Cassie Ventura assault video, calling it “inaccurate and unreliable.” The video, originally released by CNN in May 2024, shows Combs violently attacking Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel.
The footage sparked public outrage and bolstered allegations in a settled 2023 lawsuit filed by Ventura.
Combs later issued a public apology, calling his actions “inexcusable” and stating he sought therapy and rehab. Despite the admission, his legal team now argues that the video was altered, manipulated, and presented out of sequence by CNN.
They claim the original tape was destroyed and that iPhone footage included in the evidence also lacks authenticity.
In their April 17, 2025 filing in New York, Combs’ attorneys requested a hearing to allow a forensic analyst to testify about the video’s alleged technical distortions. The analyst claimed the video was sped up, contained timestamp gaps, and visually distorted Combs’ appearance.
CNN denies altering the video, stating the footage aired months before Combs’ arrest and that the original remains with the source.
Combs faces multiple charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering. He is currently detained at MDC-Brooklyn, with trial set for May 5, though a delay has been requested.
Federal prosecutors previously cited the video as key evidence of Combs’ danger to women and his role in coercive acts. A court ruling on the video’s admissibility is pending.
