Diddy’s Lawyers Plan to Accuse Cassie of Domestic Violence During Trial

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ lawyers say they plan to accuse his ex-girlfriend Cassie of domestic violence during his sex trafficking trial.

Reuters reported that Diddy’s defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo said during a jury selection hearing in a New York City court on Friday, May 9, that he would attempt to undercut Cassie’s credibility by referring to allegations of mutual violence during her relationship with the mogul. (Diddy and Cassie were together off and on between 2007 and 2018.)

“I think we’re probably going to refer to that as domestic violence,” Agnifilo told the court.

U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian indicated that he would decide next Monday, May 12, whether allegations of domestic violence could be admissible during the trial.

Cassie, 38, is expected to be called by the prosecution to testify as a star witness as Diddy faces charges of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of transportation for prostitution. Diddy, 55, has denied all allegations.

Cassie’s representatives declined to comment to Us Weekly about Agnifilo’s latest court statements.

In May 2024, CNN aired security camera footage appearing to show Diddy assaulting Cassie (full name Casandra Ventura) at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles in 2016. Diddy responded to the footage’s release with a public apology.

“It’s difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, sometimes you gotta do that,” Diddy said days after the video’s release. “I was f***ed up. I mean, I hit rock bottom but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I’m disgusted.”

He continued, “I went and sought out professional help. I’ve been going to therapy, going to rehab. Had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry, but I’m committed to being a better man each and every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m truly sorry.”

Diddy was arrested in September 2024 on charges including sex trafficking and racketeering, with jury selection beginning for his trial in New York City on Monday, May 5. The pretrial hearings have already been eventful, as one prospective juror was dismissed after admitting she’d once fainted after a teacher brought up the topic of oral sex.

The “Coming Home” rapper surprised court observers by appearing at his hearing with a beard and hair that had gone fully gray. While hair dye is not allowed at the Metropolitan Detention Center where Diddy is being held, jury consultant Alan Tuerkheimer told Us Weekly exclusively that Diddy may have deliberately taken on a new look.

“There is no doubt he is letting his hair go gray purposefully,” Tuerkheimer told Us. “The hope is that, given the lascivious nature of some of the alleged acts he participated in, the jury sees a more seasoned and grown-up version of his former self.”

The jury expert also theorized that Diddy’s choice to go gray could be interpreted as a sign of “remorse,” given the serious nature of the sex trafficking and racketeering charges he’s facing.

“It is a way to convey remorse without any kind of admission of fault or wrongdoing,” he added. “This is a more mature and gentler individual. Many of these assessments of a defendant take place subconsciously, as jurors process his entire appearance.”

Several celebrities have been mentioned during the early jury selection process. While some stars mentioned — such as rapper Kanye West, Cassie’s ex-boyfriend Kid Cudi and former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard — have personal or professional connections to Diddy, it’s not clear why jurors were asked about their familiarity with former Saturday Night Live star Mike Myers or former Destiny’s Child singer Michelle Williams.

Diddy has been held in a federal detention center in Brooklyn since his arrest last year.

Jury selection for the case is set to be finalized as early as Monday. Judge Subramanian has projected that the trial will last around eight weeks.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support. If you or someone you know is a human trafficking victim, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.