Following the release of a newly discovered video from 2016, which showed the rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs kicking, hitting, and dragging his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday night on social media that he would not be prosecuted.
Security camera footage of Combs viciously beating Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura on March 5, 2016, inside the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, was made available to CNN on Friday.
In the video, Combs is seen kicking Ventura repeatedly and throwing her to the ground while only sporting a towel and socks. Then he kicks her again and drags her away, grabbing her big bag and purse in the process.
Cassie Ventura filed a civil complaint last year alleging that Combs paid the hotel $50,000 for the security footage.
The District Attorney’s office described the video as “disturbing and difficult to watch.” Still, it clarified that even though the encounter happened in 2016, Combs would not face assault charges or face legal action.
“We find the images extremely disturbing and difficult to watch. If the conduct depicted occurred in 2016, unfortunately, we would be unable to charge as the conduct would have occurred beyond the timeline where a crime of assault can be prosecuted.
“As of today, law enforcement has not presented a case related to the attack depicted in the video against Mr. Combs, but we encourage anyone who has been a victim or witness to a crime to report it to law enforcement or reach out to our office for support from our Bureau of Victims Services,” the office of L.A. District Attorney George Gascón wrote in a statement on Instagram Friday (May 17).
According to law, the simple assault statute of limitations in California is one year. For assault as a felony, three years.
