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By Erin Keller
Reporter (Live News)
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Lawyers for Sean "Diddy" Combs argue the 2016 video of him physically assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura is an edited version of surveillance footage.
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In court documents filed Thursday ahead of Combs' bail hearing Friday, the disgraced mogul's defense claims that the government had a more complete version of the video footage from the Intercontinental hotel but gave the judge the "edited, manipulated version of the video published by CNN."
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They claim the government provided the court with the "edited" footage to make Combs, 54, seem more dangerous in an attempt to deny him bond as he remains behind bars awaiting his May sex trafficking trial.
Friday will be Combs' third attempt at bond. Judges previously decided he would be a flight risk and a danger to the community, including alleged victims and possible witnesses.
Combs' lawyers said Thursday that an analysis by Forensic Video Analyst Conor McCourt explains that "the video the government submitted to the Court omits footage corroborating the defense account, changes the sequence of events in material respects, and does not accurately depict the events."
His team asked to play a 20-minute video of McCourt's analysis during Friday's bond hearing. They also said McCourt could testify Friday if the court wanted to hear from him.
Prosecutors claim the 2016 video depicts Ventura trying to flee one of Combs' "freak offs" and sex trafficking while his defense says the footage captures "a sad glimpse into a decade-long consensual relationship" between Combs and Ventura.
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What Are Diddy's Charges?
Combs was arrested in New York in September and charged with the following counts:
- One count of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
- One count of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.
- One count of transportation for purposes of prostitution, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
What Were Cassie's Accusations Against Diddy?
Ventura and Combs split after 11 years of dating in 2018. In November 2023, Ventura filed a lawsuit against him, describing the relationship as a "cycle of abuse, violence, and sex trafficking."
She alleged Combs physically and emotionally abused her, forced her to have sex with male sex workers while he filmed them, raped her, threatened her and introduced her to "an ostentatious, fast-paced and drug-fueled lifestyle."
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Combs and Ventura settled the lawsuit a day after it was filed, which representatives for Combs said was not an admission of guilt. More than 25 people have since filed suits against Combs, alleging sex crimes.
Tony Buzbee, the Houston-based lawyer representing 120 alleged victims of Combs, said earlier this week that new lawsuits will be coming "weekly."
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