Shockwaves in Court: Diddy’s Defense Claims Key CCTV Footage Reveals Unseen Truth Behind Assault Allegations

Warning: This article deals with some seriously tough subjects—sexual harassment and domestic violence—which are never easy to digest. Now, if you’ve ever wondered how courtroom drama and celebrity scandals get their popcorn-worthy twists, watch this: Sean “Diddy” Combs, a name synonymous with chart-topping hits and blinged-out extravagance, is entangled in a high-stakes trial that dives deep into allegations far heavier than any beat he’s ever dropped. The defense claims some chilling 2016 CCTV footage showing Combs allegedly assaulting his former partner, Cassie Ventura, was sped up — a move that sounds like it could be straight out of a crime thriller screenplay. Meanwhile, both sides presented their opening volleys, with Diddy vehemently denying federal charges including racketeering and sex trafficking. But here’s the kicker — the 2016 hotel footage, once part of a now-settled lawsuit and a dark peek behind the scenes of a complicated history, is stirring debate over what’s real, what’s altered, and just how much a video’s speed can change perception. It makes you ask: in today’s age of cinematic edits and viral videos, how do we discern truth when the frame rate itself can become a weapon? Buckle up—this trial’s opening act has already set the stage for some serious courtroom theatrics. LEARN MORE.

Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual harassment and domestic violence which some readers may find distressing

Attorneys defending rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs have claimed clips from CCTV footage showing him assault former partner Cassandra ‘Cassie’ Ventura had been sped up.

Combs is currently on trial in New York on federal charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution, with both defence and prosecution teams giving their opening statements in court today (12 May).

Combs has ’emphatically and categorically’ denied all charges against him.

One piece of evidence to be featured in proceedings is 2016 surveillance footage taken from a hotel in Los Angeles which shows Combs physically assaulting ex-girlfriend Ventura after she attempted to leave their room.

The footage was referenced by both sets of attorneys during their opening statements.

Footage from a 2016 assault from Combs on his former partner Cassie Ventura was shown in the trial (Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

After the footage was then broadcast to jurors in the courtroom by the prosecution, showing how Combs had followed Ventura to the lifts before physically assaulting the dancer and dragging her down a hallway.

The footage had originally been referenced in a now-settled 2023 lawsuit between Combs and Ventura, in which she claimed the rapper had paid the hotel for the footage. Combs has also addressed the clip in a previous statement, saying he took ‘full responsibility for my actions in that video’.

Following the footage being broadcast, it was noted the assault appeared to be noticeably slower (via The Telegraph) than original footage broadcast by CNN, leading the defence to argue that published clips of the attack had been deliberately altered in order to appear ‘more violent’.

In total, three CCTV clips were played to the court as well as two videos recorded on a mobile phone. The on-duty security guard at the time, Israel Florez, has also given evidence to the court.

Florez was asked to describe his recollection of events from the evening, where he claimed to the court that Combs had offered him a ‘sack of money’ and told him not to tell anyone.

The accusations relate to 2016 footage shown of Combs assaulting former girlfriend Cassie Ventura (John Shearer/Getty Images)

Florez was also questioned by Combs’ defence about his decision to record some footage on his phone, to which he explained it was to show his wife as she otherwise wouldn’t believe him.

The arguments come weeks after Combs’ attorneys had attempted to have the clips excluded from court proceedings, claiming it was part of one his ‘freak offs’ and gave only a ‘glimpse into a complex but decade-long consensual relationship’.

This request was ultimately denied by U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, who stated that Combs’ lawyers had failed to convince him that it should be excluded.

“Its relevance to the case outweighs any potential prejudice to Combs.” he said.