Sean “Diddy” Combs appeared in court on Friday to face three latest allegations of sexual abuse.
Throughout the court appearance, he reportedly looked “bloated” and unkempt in his tan prison jumpsuit as he pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ lawyers also recently claimed that the viral surveillance video through which he was seen hitting and stomping on his ex-girlfriend Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura was “altered” and “destroyed.”
Article continues below commercial
Diddy Appeared ‘Bloated’ In Court, Where He Faced Recent Allegations
Diddy attended a court session on Friday to face fresh allegations from three latest victims that he sexually abused them between 2004 to 2024.
Court documents also alleged that he “forced labor” by demanding employees to work long hours and threatened to punish those that would not assist within the sex-trafficking scheme.
The rapper pleaded not guilty and is not facing any latest charges; nevertheless, his puffy look has set tongues wagging on the effect of his legal crisis.
In response to the Recent York Post, Diddy appeared “bloated” and “old” in his tan prison jumpsuit, sporting gray hair and a gray chinstrap beard.
CBS reporter Alice Gainer also noted the rapper’s aged appearance, writing on X, “Combs walked into courtroom sporting grey hair and a gray beard…”
Article continues below commercial
It comes as no surprise, as Diddy has been locked behind bars on the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his September arrest.
Several of his relations appeared in court to support him, and when the hearing was done, he blew a two-handed kiss of their direction.
Article continues below commercial
Diddy’s Lawyer Said CCTV Footage Of Him And Cassie Was ‘Altered’
The rapper’s outing comes after Diddy’s legal team, led by Marc Agnifilo, claimed that the viral surveillance video through which the embattled rapper will be seen hitting and dragging his ex-girlfriend along a hotel alley has been “altered.”
The shocking video was filmed in 2016 on the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, California, and was obtained by CNN before it was released in May.
Within the footage, which appeared to corroborate a few of Cassie’s allegations in a November 2023 lawsuit, the Bad Boy Records founder is seen chasing Cassie down the hallway before attacking her near the elevator.
Article continues below commercial
Article continues below commercial
In response to TMZ, a letter by the defense team reads, “CNN purchased the one known copy of the Hotel’s surveillance footage, uploaded that footage right into a free editing software, altered the video after which destroyed the unique footage, though it knew about and repeatedly reported in regards to the federal investigation.”
Diddy’s team further accused the news outlet of “covering the time stamp after which changing the video sequence. It also includes speeding up the video to make it falsely appear that the actions within the video are happening faster than they’re. Consequently, the CNN videos don’t fairly and accurately depict the events in query.”
CNN Has Denied Diddy’s Lawyers’ Claims
A spokesperson for the news outlet has since denied Diddy’s lawyers’ claim that they “altered” the assault video and “destroyed” the unique video.
In response to the spokesperson, the unique copy continues to be intact, and the source of the video has “retained” it.
“CNN never altered the video and didn’t destroy the unique copy of the footage, which was retained by the source,” the spokesperson said, per Page Six.
They added, “CNN aired the story in regards to the video several months before Combs was arrested.”
Article continues below commercial
Cassie’s Lawyer Slammed The Rapper’s Defense Team’s Argument As ‘Disingenuous’
Meanwhile, Cassie’s lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, also slammed Diddy’s request for the surveillance footage not for use as evidence in his trial.
“It is just not surprising that Combs would make a disingenuous argument to exclude the disturbing video from being shown to the jury within the upcoming trial,” Wigdor said.
He added, “I’m confident that the video fairly and accurately represents what happened, shall be admitted into evidence, and that Combs shall be held accountable for his depravity.”
Diddy’s Trial Pushed Back By A Week
Meanwhile, Diddy’s criminal trial has been pushed back by per week following his hearing on Friday in Recent York.
Manhattan Federal Judge Arun Subramanian said that the music mogul’s trial will start on May 12, where opening statements shall be heard, but jury selection will begin on the unique May 5 day.
Diddy is facing trial for alleged sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to have interaction in prostitution.
The rapper might be hit with a minimum of 15 years in prison and as much as life behind bars if convicted on the highest charge.
