Diddy’s lawyer asserts that his abuse of Cassie was “mutual”

As Sean “Diddy” Combs gets ready for a significant federal trial, his legal team made a startling claim that has caused a lot of anger.

In a recent statement, the hip-hop mogul’s lawyer acknowledged that Diddy and his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura had hit each other. The lawyer described the violence as “mutual.”

With Diddy’s history and future at stake due to serious charges including sex trafficking and racketeering, the startling claim comes at a critical moment.

Diddy’s Attorneys Claim That Violence Was Bilateral

Diddy’s primary lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, startled the courtroom during a pretrial hearing after the jury selection on May 5 by adamantly stating that the violence that transpired during his time with Cassie wasn’t coercive or bipartisan.

In response to Judge Arun Subramanian’s questions, Agnifilo acknowledged domestic abuse, according to PEOPLE Magazine, but the defense will “take the position that there was mutual violence in their relationship.”

Diddy’s lawyer further asserted that Cassie was “strong,” “had a nature of violence,” and was “capable of starting physical confrontations,” saying that she had a tendency to start violent altercations.

Subramanian wouldn’t have it, though. Even strong people could be “coerced just like weak people,” he swiftly retorted to the lawyer.

There will be a video of Cassie’s assault in court.

Following the denial of Diddy’s legal team’s request to have the 2016 hotel security footage excluded from the trial by the presiding judge, the latest disclosure was made.

Diddy was shown kicking, dragging, and tossing Cassie to the ground in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in the video, which was made public in May 2024.

Diddy’s lawyers countered months later that the footage was “altered,” making it unfit for use in court.

Subramanian’s decision to present the awful footage for the jury in court was confirmed by publications in April 2025.

The judge clarified that since prosecutors intended to call two witnesses to attest that the video’s content accurately depicted the events, the clip was admissible in court.

CNN Is Accused by Diddy of Editing Attack Video

Diddy accused CNN in a shocking allegation in March of destroying and tampering with the original CCTV footage from 2016 showing him abusing Cassie.

Diddy’s legal team filed a letter in his continuing federal prosecution, claiming that the video CNN broadcast in May 2024 did not accurately depict the original material.

The letter stated, according to The Blast, “Notwithstanding its knowledge of and repeated reporting on the federal investigation, CNN bought the only known copy of the hotel’s surveillance footage, uploaded it into a free editing program, edited the video, and then destroyed the original footage.”

The timestamp, video speed, and event sequencing were among the “substantially altered in significant respects” adjustments made to the clip, according to his lawyers, who also suggested that the changes were made to deceive viewers and harm Diddy’s reputation.

Viral Video of Diddy Abusing Cassie

Taking occurred in a Los Angeles hotel hallway, the widely shared video showed Diddy chasing Cassie, seizing her by the neck, flinging her to the ground, kicking her, and trying to pull her back toward their room.

Diddy slipped into the room for a moment while she attempted to crawl away, then reappeared and threw something at her.

The video supported the claims Cassie made in her lawsuit from 2023, alleging that Diddy had sexually assaulted her, tortured her, and controlled every aspect of her life, both personal and professional.

While he was filming, she said he forced her into violent sexual encounters with other people and forced her to use drugs. Cassie said Diddy used his power to keep her reliant on him, and claims of financial manipulation and career sabotage were also included in the lawsuit.

A relationship based on intimidation, loneliness, and fear was depicted in the complaint. The lawsuit was settled quietly with undisclosed terms just one day after it was made public.

After the video of Cassie being assaulted, Diddy apologizes.

On his Instagram feed, the 55-year-old publicly apologized after the video went viral. According to Diddy, he acknowledged his imperfections and accepted full responsibility for his behavior.

“Reflecting on the darkest moments in your life is really tough, but sometimes you have to do it,” Diddy stated in an Instagram video.

“I was fucked up. He continued, “I mean, I hit my lowest point, but I don’t make any excuses.”

I accept all responsibility for what I did in that video. That time, I did it and was disgusted. Now I feel disgusted. I made the decision to seek expert assistance. I started attending counseling and treatment,” he continued.

Diddy came to the conclusion, “I needed to beg God for his grace and mercy. I apologize so much. However, I am dedicated to being a better man every single day. Forgiveness is not what I’m requesting. I’m sorry, really.