Diddy’s authorized crew file movement to exclude Cassie Ventura assault video from trial

Attorneys for Sean ‘Diddy‘ Combs have filed a movement to exclude video footage displaying him violently assault ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura from his upcoming federal trial.

Over a 12 months in the past, Ventura – Diddy’s ex-partner and former signee – filed a lawsuit towards the Dangerous Boy Information founder for bodily assault and rape, and the case was settled the next day regardless of Diddy denying the claims.

Months later, CNN obtained CCTV footage of Diddy dragging, kicking and hitting Ventura in an LA resort, lending credence to Ventura’s allegations. Diddy later apologised for his “inexcusable” behaviour in a video Ventura’s legal professionals known as “disingenuous”.

Diddy was later arrested and charged with crimes together with sexual trafficking and racketeering. He has since been held in a federal jail in his hometown awaiting trial, which is about to start in Could 5 – though there stays dispute concerning the official begin date, along with his attorneys asking to delay the trial by two months to allow them to higher put together a protection (per The Independent).

His authorized crew have continued to disclaim all allegations levelled towards him.

Per Variety, legal professionals for the disgraced rap mogul entered the movement on Thursday (April 17), asking the courtroom to both exclude the video or, “within the various, to allow Mr. Combs to current proof at a pre-trial listening to relating to the unreliability of the present and out there video proof.”

Final month, Combs’ defence crew additionally introduced up their difficulty of the resort safety footage aired by CNN, and, in a earlier pre-trial listening to, alleged they'd “considerably altered” the video.

The publication later shared a press release with TMZ strongly denying Combs’ claims. “CNN by no means altered the video and didn't destroy the unique copy of the footage, which was retained by the supply,” a spokesperson for the outlet mentioned. “CNN aired the story concerning the video a number of months earlier than Combs was arrested.”

The brand new submitting claimed the CNN video needs to be excluded as a result of the federal government didn't present adequate proof of its authenticity. As a result of the proof has a “dramatic affect” on the jury, they mentioned it shouldn't be admitted. Combs’ counsel additionally mentioned the federal government had not made competent efforts to find the unique model of the resort video, and due to this fact it should be excluded underneath the “finest proof” rule.

Ventura is anticipated to testify underneath her personal identify at Combs’ trial, which was initially scheduled to start on Could 5 pending a listening to set to happen right now (April 18). Combs, who's incarcerated in Brooklyn on the federal costs of racketeering and intercourse trafficking, was not too long ago hit with an up to date superseding indictment, with two costs added to the case.

Per Rolling Stone, the 2 new superseding indictments have broadened the scope of prosecutors’ investigation, shifting the timeframe Diddy was alleged to have used his numerous companies to abuse ladies again to at the very least 2004, whereas the earlier begin date was 2008.

Prosecutors have accused Combs of utilizing his billion-dollar empire as a “legal enterprise”, citing a variety of alleged offences together with “intercourse trafficking, pressured labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice” from 2004 to final 12 months.

“Mr. Combs has mentioned it earlier than and can say it once more: he vehemently denies the accusations made by the SDNY [United States District Court for the Southern District of New York],” Combs’ lead defence legal professional Marc Agnifilo informed Rolling Stone in a earlier assertion.

“He appears ahead to his day in courtroom when it can change into clear that he has by no means pressured anybody to have interaction in sexual acts towards their will.”

Elsewhere, a brand new lawsuit was filed towards Diddy earlier this month, accusing him of human trafficking. The allegations have been put ahead by a Florida man known as Joseph Manzaro, who alleges that the rapper assaulted and humiliated him at an occasion in 2015, and that he was seen on the evening by Beyoncé, Jay-Z and LeBron James.

In keeping with the submitting, the alleged incident occurred throughout a celebration held by Diddy for his son Christian Combs. Manzaro claims he was drugged and transported to Star Island in Miami for the get together, earlier than being concerned in a “freak-off”.

Combs’ authorized crew denied the claims in a press release to TMZ. “This grievance demonstrates the wicked lengths plaintiffs will journey to garner headlines in pursuit of a payday,” it learn. “No sane individual studying this grievance might credit score this story. Mr. Combs appears ahead to having his day in courtroom the place these lies — and the perverse motives of those that informed them — will probably be revealed.”

Information of the accusations got here simply days after a separate one in all Diddy’s sexual assault lawsuits was dismissed final month.

Claims of intercourse trafficking towards Combs and former chief of employees Kristina Khorramm, in addition to sexual assault and premises legal responsibility claims towards Combs, have been upheld, nevertheless.

An legal professional for Combs mentioned Jones’ “reckless name-dropping about occasions which are pure fiction and easily didn't occur is nothing greater than a clear try to garner headlines”, while Khorram denied all allegations.

In different information, one in all Combs’ legal professionals not too long ago stop the rapper’s forthcoming legal intercourse trafficking case, writing: “On no account can I proceed to successfully function counsel for Sean Combs, in line with the ABA Requirements for Felony Justice.”