Stephen A. Smith Predicts Diddy’s Defense Could Score Major Victory if Cassie Assault Tape is Omitted from 2025 Trial [Video]

Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith shared his thoughts on how Sean “Diddy” Combs could win his high-profile criminal case. 

In a recent episode of his show, Smith emphasized that if Diddy’s legal defense team succeeds in removing the infamous leaked tape showing Diddy assaulting Cassie from the trial evidence, it would be a significant victory for him.  According to Smith, this would prevent the jury from seeing potentially incriminating visual evidence despite the footage already going viral months ago. 

“They especially win if they get that tape removed, and it’s not allowed to be seen by the 12 jurors that will be assigned,” Smith explained.

The tape was leaked in May 2024, showing a violent altercation from 2016 where Diddy kicks Cassie as she attempts to flee his hotel room.  She’d previously outlined the encounter in her November 2023 lawsuit against him. 

Diddy issued a public apology after the tape surfaced, though it didn’t do much to help his situation as more alleged victims began to speak up with stories of abuse.  Without the video, it might come down to witness testimonies and other forms of evidence, which may not have the same impact on jurors as direct visual proof.  However, Diddy’s list of charges, including sex trafficking, and alleged video evidence taken from raids on his homes may be enough to convict him even if the video is somehow excluded from the trial. 

The Bad Boy’s trial is scheduled to begin on May 5th, 2025, and prosecutors estimate it will take roughly three weeks to conclude.  Speculation regarding whether or not Cassie will testify remains, though Diddy’s attorneys have expressed his wish to testify in his own defense.  As of now, there is no word on what evidence will be allowed in the trial.