A shocking new development has emerged in the federal prosecution of Sean “Diddy” Combs—court documents reveal that CNN allegedly destroyed the only known copy of the 2016 surveillance video showing the music mogul assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in a Los Angeles hotel hallway.
Defense Accuses CNN of Tampering with Crucial Evidence
In a joint court filing submitted by both Diddy’s defense team and federal prosecutors, his attorneys claim that CNN not only purchased the sole existing copy of the video from the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles, but they also allegedly altered, edited, and ultimately destroyed the original footage.
According to the defense:
- CNN used free editing software to modify the video.
- The original timestamp was covered.
- The video sequence was rearranged.
- The speed was altered to make the events appear faster than they actually occurred.
Diddy’s attorneys argue that because of these modifications, the footage no longer accurately represents what happened, making it inadmissible in court.
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Hotel Closure Leaves No Backup Footage
Adding to the controversy, the InterContinental Hotel has since shut down, and sources confirm that no other copies of the surveillance video exist—meaning CNN’s edited version was the only remaining evidence of the alleged assault.
Could the Video Be Thrown Out?
Diddy is not facing charges for the assault itself, as the statute of limitations has already expired under state law. However, federal prosecutors planned to use the video to establish a pattern of violent behavior as part of their larger case against him.
Legal experts suggest that if the footage was indeed edited, a judge is highly unlikely to allow it as evidence in court. Courts typically require raw, unaltered footage, and any sign of tampering could disqualify the video altogether.
CNN and Prosecutors Remain Silent
Both CNN and the Southern District of New York federal prosecutor’s office have so far declined to comment on the allegations.
What’s Next for Diddy?
Diddy’s legal team is expected to file a motion to exclude the video from trial, which—if granted—could significantly weaken the prosecution’s argument regarding his alleged history of violence.
With this new bombshell, the case against Diddy is becoming even more complicated—and highly controversial.
