Diddy's Attorney Claims His Violence Toward Cassie Was 'Mutual'

As Sean “Diddy” Combs prepares for a major federal trial, a shocking claim from his legal team has sparked intense backlash.

The hip-hop mogul’s attorney recently stated that the violence in Diddy’s relationship with ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura was “mutual,” admitting there was hitting on both sides.

The explosive claim comes as Diddy faces serious charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering, putting his legacy and future on the line.

Following the jury selection on May 5, Diddy’s lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, stunned the courtroom during a pretrial hearing by insisting that the violence that occurred during his time with Cassie wasn’t one-sided and not coerced.

While being questioned by Judge Arun Subramanian, Agnifilo admitted per PEOPLE Magazine, that there was domestic violence, but the defense would “take the position that there was mutual violence in their relationship.”

Diddy’s attorney also claimed that Cassie had the nature of starting physical altercations as she was a “strong” person with "a nature of violence” and "capable of starting physical confrontations."

However, Subramanian wasn’t having it. He quickly shot back at the lawyer, noting that even strong people could be “coerced just like weak people.”

The recent revelation comes after the presiding judge denied Diddy’s legal team’s motion to exclude the 2016 hotel surveillance video from the trial.

The footage, which surfaced publicly in May 2024, showed Diddy assaulting Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway, throwing her to the ground, kicking, and dragging her.

However, months later, Diddy’s attorneys argued that the video was “altered,” rendering it inadmissible in court.

However, in April 2025, reports confirmed that Subramanian ruled that the terrible video would be played in court for the jury.

The judge explained that the footage was admissible in court, as prosecutors planned to provide two witnesses to confirm that the video's content was exactly what happened.

In March, Diddy made a bombshell claim against CNN, accusing the network of altering and destroying the original 2016 surveillance video that captured him assaulting Cassie.

In a letter filed by Diddy’s legal team as part of his ongoing federal case, the music mogul alleged that the video CNN released in May 2024 was not an authentic representation of the original footage.

“CNN purchased the only known copy of the hotel’s surveillance footage, uploaded that footage into a free editing software, altered the video and then destroyed original footage, even though it knew about and repeatedly reported about the federal investigation,” the letter read, per The Blast.

His attorneys also claimed the clip had been “substantially altered in significant respects,” including changes to the timestamp, video speed, and sequence of events, suggesting that these modifications were done to mislead viewers and damage Diddy’s reputation.

In the viral video, which took place in the hallway of a hotel in Los Angeles, Diddy was seen chasing Cassie, grabbing her by the neck, throwing her to the floor, kicking her, and attempting to drag her back toward their room.

As she tried to crawl away, Diddy briefly disappeared into the room before returning and hurling an object in her direction.

The footage aligned with the allegations Cassie made in her 2023 lawsuit, in which she alleged that Diddy raped her, physically assaulted her repeatedly, and exerted complete control over her personal and professional life.

She claimed he coerced her into drug use and forced her into violent sexual situations with others while he filmed. The lawsuit also included allegations of financial manipulation and career sabotage, as Cassie said Diddy used his influence to keep her dependent on him.

The complaint painted a picture of a relationship rooted in fear, isolation, and intimidation. Just one day after the lawsuit was made public, the case was settled privately, with terms undisclosed.

After the footage surfaced, the 55-year-old posted a public apology on his Instagram page. Diddy said he took full responsibility for his actions and admitted he wasn’t perfect.

“It's so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that," Diddy said in a video posted to Instagram.

"I was f-cked up. I mean, I hit rock bottom, but I make no excuses,” he added.

“I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted then when I did it. I'm disgusted now. I went and I sought out professional help. I got into going to therapy, going to rehab," he added.

Diddy concluded, "I 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."