A disturbing 2016 video that shows Sean "Diddy" Combs assaulting singer Cassie, his former girlfriend, has emerged as a key battleground in his sex abuse case.
What does the video show?
The video shows Combs chasing, kicking, dragging and hurling a glass vase at Cassie, a singer whose real name is Casandra Ventura. It corroborates parts of a civil lawsuit Ventura filed against Combs last year, which was settled a day after it was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Why was it important?
It was obtained and broadcast by CNN earlier this year amid a sweeping federal probe of Combs. Legal experts have described it as very strong evidence for prosecutors.
What is the dispute over the tape now?
Combs’ lawyers this week accused the government of waging a campaign to leak evidence, including the tape. They said they might also ask a judge to exclude the tape from the trial. Combs’ lawyers allege that the government, through investigators with the Department of Homeland Security, "engaged in a seven-month campaign … strategically leaking confidential grand jury material and information, including the 2016 Intercontinental videotape, in order to prejudice the public and potential jurors against Mr. Combs."
What’s next?
A judge has yet to weigh in on the accusations, but both sides have agreed not to speak about case specifics to the media. Combs remains behind bars as his lawyers made a third bid for him to be released on $50 million pending a trial. U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian approved a May 5 trial date for Combs over April after his attorneys said they have piles of case documents and information to review.
FAQs
Q: What is the video about?
A: The video shows Combs assaulting Cassie, his former girlfriend, in a hotel hallway in 2016.
Q: Why is the video important?
A: It is strong evidence for prosecutors and corroborates parts of a civil lawsuit filed by Cassie against Combs.
Q: What is the dispute over the tape now?
A: Combs’ lawyers are accusing the government of leaking the tape and want it to be excluded from the trial.
Q: What is the next step in the case?
A: The trial is set for May 5, but both sides have agreed not to speak about case specifics to the media. Combs remains behind bars pending the trial.
