A coalition of prominent news organizations has formally requested a federal judge grant the public and press access to explicit video evidence central to the ongoing criminal trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.
In a legal filing submitted this week, attorneys representing a consortium including ABC News, The Associated Press, CBS News, The Wall Street Journal, and several other major outlets argued that the public’s First Amendment right to monitor judicial proceedings outweighs privacy concerns related to the sensitive material. The videos in question allegedly depict activities at so-called “freak off” parties hosted by Combs, which prosecutors contend were venues for physical and sexual abuse, trafficking, and prostitution.
The defense has characterized the recordings as documentation of a consensual “swinging” lifestyle. The news organizations’ filing states that because this evidence is pivotal to the case, allowing journalists to view and describe it is essential for maintaining transparency and public confidence in the justice system. The motion cites longstanding legal precedents establishing a strong presumption of public access to evidence presented in criminal trials.
This request faces significant opposition. Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, a former partner of Combs and a key witness in the case, has formally objected to the release. Her legal team argues that public dissemination of the explicit videos would constitute a severe invasion of privacy and re-traumatize Ventura and others depicted, effectively punishing them for their testimony. They contend that the right to a public trial does not necessitate the broadcast of such intimate and potentially damaging evidence.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to a series of federal charges including sex trafficking and racketeering. The judge’s decision on this motion will set a critical precedent, balancing the principles of an open court against the privacy rights of alleged victims.
