Diddy’s legal team claims CNN altered Cassie Ventura assault video and destroyed original footage

Diddy’ lawyers allege CNN edited and destroyed the original Cassie Ventura assault footage, calling it inadmissible.

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal team is pushing to have a controversial CNN video excluded from his upcoming trial, alleging that the network edited and destroyed the original footage of the 2016 incident involving his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.

The surveillance video, released by CNN in May 2024, showed Combs allegedly assaulting Ventura at the InterContinental Hotel. Following its release, the music mogul issued a public apology. However, his attorneys now argue that the footage was altered, including modifications to the sequence, speed, and timestamp, which they claim distort the incident’s true nature.

A legal filing in New York alleges that CNN purchased the only known copy of the footage, uploaded it to editing software, and later destroyed the original, despite knowing about the federal investigation. As a result, Combs’ team contends that the video should be deemed inadmissible in his trial, which is scheduled to begin in May 2025.

While the charges against Combs—racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution—are unrelated to the 2016 incident, prosecutors intended to use the footage to establish a pattern of violent behavior.

CNN and Combs’ representatives have not responded to requests for comment. Meanwhile, Combs remains incarcerated in Brooklyn as he awaits trial.