Diddy Trial to Proceed; Cassie to Testify

Sean 'Diddy' Combs' legal team has formally requested the exclusion of a 2016 surveillance video showing him assaulting ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura from his federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial, alleging the footage aired by CNN in May 2024 is manipulated and inadmissible. Combs' attorneys cite expert testimony claiming the video was edited and misrepresented, while CNN maintains the footage is authentic and unaltered. Despite defense efforts to delay the trial and challenge the evidence, a federal judge has ordered proceedings to begin as scheduled, with jury selection starting May 5. Cassie is expected to testify under her real name. The video and other evidence seized in raids remain crucial to the prosecution's case, while the defense continues to dispute their admissibility. Combs has publicly apologized for his actions depicted in the video.