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Attorneys for Sean “Diddy” Combs have accused federal authorities of leaking the video of Combs’ bodily assault towards his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, thereby depriving Combs of a good jury trial.
Within the authorized submitting submitted Wednesday, Combs’ legal professionals mentioned brokers from the U.S. Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) facilitated a “collection of illegal authorities leaks,” with the assault video being the “most egregious instance.”
The memorandum was filed in relation to Combs’ federal expenses of racketeering, intercourse trafficking and transportation to have interaction in prostitution. He has pleaded not responsible.
In Could, CNN obtained safety digital camera footage of Combs beating Ventura in a hallway of a Los Angeles resort in 2016. Although the hip-hop mogul at first denied ever assaulting Ventura, he publicly apologized after the discharge of the video and mentioned he was “really sorry” for his “inexcusable” actions.
CNN didn’t specify the supply of the footage.
Combs and Ventura later settled her lawsuit towards him, alleging she endured years of sexual, bodily and emotional abuse at his arms. The brand new authorized submitting states Ventura acquired “a considerable eight-figure settlement.”
Attorneys for the musician, Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, mentioned the alleged DHS leak “led to damaging, extremely prejudicial pre-trial publicity that may solely taint the jury pool and deprive Mr. Combs of his proper to a good trial.”
Combs’ authorized staff mentioned they could ask for the video to be fully barred from his trial. If it was leaked by a federal agent, it’s a violation of grand jury secrecy, they wrote.
Agnifilo and Geragos didn’t present particular proof that DHS officers leaked the tape.
The legal professionals did observe, nonetheless, after they advised the federal government they’d file a movement alleging authorities leaked the video, prosecutors mentioned CNN didn’t acquire the footage “by grand jury course of.”
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Prosecutors added DHS “didn’t have possession of the videotape previous to CNN’s publication of it.”
Ventura is just not particularly named within the newest submitting. Combs’ legal professionals mentioned they don’t imagine Ventura supplied the video to CNN.
Agnifilo and Geragos moreover accused DHS of leaking “a gentle stream of false and prejudicial statements” to numerous media retailers, together with the New York Put up.
The nameless feedback to the press, of which there are various cited within the memorandum, are “false, damaging and prejudicial,” in accordance with the submitting.
Combs’ legal professionals argued all through their investigation that DHS has tried to “savage” Combs’ repute forward of his trial. The “notably brutal and public search” of Combs’ Los Angeles and Miami mansions is a supply of competition for his legal professionals. Throughout the raid by U.S. federal brokers, Combs’ two sons had been handcuffed in entrance of awaiting members of the press.
“After perp-walking these two utterly harmless younger males and displaying them in handcuffs and below restraint to the media, the brokers walked them again into the home, nonetheless in handcuffs, and launched them,” the submitting reads.
Forward of the March 25, 2024, searches, Combs’ legal professionals mentioned they twice supplied to cooperate with the investigation.
His authorized staff referred to as the raids “public spectacles of brutality” made to painting Combs as harmful and optimize media publicity by the presence of 100 armed federal brokers break up between the 2 residences.
Police and members of the media collect outdoors the house of Sean (Diddy) Combs in Los Angeles on March 25, 2024, because the property is being raided by federal brokers amid intercourse trafficking and intercourse assault lawsuits.
DAVID SWANSON/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
DHS has but to answer the brand new allegations.
Combs’ legal professionals specified they don’t imagine the alleged leaks had been orchestrated by the U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace. They’ve requested an evidentiary listening to, in addition to related discovery from the federal government, to research any misconduct. Combs’ legal professionals requested the choose for a gag order.
Combs was as soon as some of the highly effective and influential males within the leisure business.
A federal indictment unsealed Sept. 17 revealed Diddy was charged with racketeering, intercourse trafficking and transportation to have interaction in prostitution. The costs are tied to so-called “freak offs,” coerced intercourse acts that Diddy allegedly orchestrated and recorded. The “freak offs” usually concerned narcotic medicine together with ketamine, ecstasy and GHB to maintain victims “obedient and compliant,” officers allege.
Earlier this month, Texas-based lawyer Tony Buzbee mentioned he’s representing 120 accusers who’ve shared dozens of recent claims towards the musician, together with rape and sexual assault courting again to 1991. Among the many accusers are ladies, males and minors.
Combs has denied all new allegations towards him and maintains his innocence.
He has been denied bail twice and stays behind bars.
Combs is scheduled to face trial on Could 5.
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If you happen to or somebody you recognize is experiencing abuse or is concerned in an abusive scenario, please go to the Canadian Useful resource Centre for Victims of Crime for assist. They’re additionally reachable toll-free at 1-877-232-2610.
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