Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal team is expected to argue that his former partner, Cassie Ventura, was not merely a victim but also an aggressor in what they claim was a relationship marked by “mutual violence.”
This revelation came during a pre-trial hearing on May 5 at a Manhattan federal court, where jury selection began in the music mogul’s high-profile sex trafficking case.
Diddy has pleaded not guilty to five serious federal charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation for prostitution.
Marc Agnifilo, Combs’ attorney, told Judge Arun Subramanian that the defense intends to introduce evidence suggesting Cassie also engaged in violent behavior during their decade-long relationship.
“I think we’re probably going to refer to that as domestic violence,” Agnifilo said, implying that such claims could cast doubt on her portrayal as a victim.
Cassie, who is expected to testify for the prosecution, previously filed a lawsuit accusing Combs of rape, abuse, and human trafficking. Though the case was settled privately, she remains a central figure in the ongoing criminal proceedings. The defense’s strategy appears to hinge on undermining her credibility before the jury.
Judge Subramanian has yet to rule on whether such claims will be admissible during trial, stating he will make a final decision before opening statements begin on Monday.
The trial follows the emergence of a disturbing 2016 surveillance video, released in May 2024, which showed Combs allegedly assaulting Cassie in a hotel hallway. Shortly after the footage went viral, he publicly acknowledged the attack.
Since the lawsuit’s settlement, additional allegations have surfaced against Combs. He has been accused of sexually abusing over 120 people, including minors. Among the claims is a case involving a man who says Combs drugged and raped him while he was still underage.
Combs was arrested on September 16, 2024, and later indicted by federal prosecutors in New York. If convicted on the racketeering charge, he could face life in prison. The sex trafficking count carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years.
