Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ongoing sex trafficking trial has taken a dramatic turn with his defense team admitting in court that Combs was violent toward his ex-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, but they argue the violence was mutual. This development came during day four of the trial when prosecutor Emily Anne Johnson mentioned that “Victim 1” (widely believed to be Cassie) would not be cross-examined on certain medical issues. Judge Arun Subramanian allowed the defense to cross-examine on any topics the prosecution raised, prompting Diddy’s attorney Marc Agnifilo to state that the defense would argue both parties engaged in domestic violence, including hitting. Agnifilo said, “We are absolutely going to admit to domestic violence. But at what point does it become coercive?” He further explained their position that the violence was mutual and relevant to the case.
This acknowledgment contrasts with Cassie’s earlier allegations when she filed a lawsuit against Combs in November 2023, accusing him of a decade-long pattern of violent and abusive behavior. Cassie, who met Combs at 19 and signed with his Bad Boy Records label, claimed that their relationship was marked by fear, control, and physical and sexual abuse. She alleged that Combs coerced her into drug use, forced her into sexual acts with male sex workers while he watched and filmed, and subjected her to savage beatings. She also described an incident in 2018 where Combs allegedly forced his way into her home and raped her after she tried to end the relationship. The lawsuit detailed how she was often hidden away in hotels to conceal bruises and lived in fear of further violence.
A video from 2016 showing Combs violently assaulting Cassie at a Los Angeles hotel surfaced in May 2024, corroborating some of her claims. The footage depicts Combs chasing Cassie, throwing her to the ground, kicking her, and attempting to drag her toward his hotel room. Afterward, he sat down and appeared to prepare to throw an object at her. Cassie escaped by taking an elevator and a cab. The lawsuit noted that Combs allegedly paid the hotel $50,000 for the hallway security footage capturing the altercation. While the hotel’s former management company stated they had no access to prior incident records, Cassie’s attorney praised her bravery and condemned Combs’ behavior as predatory. Combs’ representatives did not immediately comment on the video.
Despite the serious allegations, Combs and Cassie settled the lawsuit just one day after it was filed in November 2023. Both parties released statements expressing a desire to resolve the matter amicably. Cassie thanked her supporters, while Combs denied the allegations, calling them false and asserting his innocence.
In the current trial, Combs’ defense is attempting to exclude the 2016 hotel assault video from evidence, claiming that CNN, which aired the footage, altered it by covering timestamps, changing the sequence, and speeding up the video to misrepresent the events. CNN denied these claims, asserting they never altered or destroyed the original footage and had reported on the investigation months before Combs’ arrest. Prosecutors plan to submit the original and corrected footage as evidence to demonstrate Combs’ violent tendencies, aiming to establish his personality and pattern of behavior.
This case is part of a broader legal crisis for Combs, who faces multiple lawsuits and charges including racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation for prostitution. Since Cassie’s lawsuit, over 70 other sexual assault lawsuits have been filed against him, many stemming from New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which temporarily allowed victims to file claims regardless of statutes of limitations. These allegations include claims of drugging, sexual assault, and trafficking by various women dating back decades. Combs has consistently denied all accusations and pleaded not guilty to all charges. His trial began with jury selection in early May 2025, with opening statements expected shortly thereafter.
In summary, while Diddy’s legal team admits to domestic violence in his relationship with Cassie Ventura, they argue the violence was reciprocal, contrasting with Cassie’s claims of coercive and abusive control. The 2016 hotel assault video remains a pivotal piece of evidence in the trial, with the defense seeking to exclude it and prosecutors emphasizing its importance to understanding Combs’ behavior. The case is a significant part of a larger legal battle involving numerous allegations of sexual misconduct and trafficking against the hip-hop mogul.
