“She Knew She’d Never Be His Wife”: Diddy’s Legal Team Speaks on Cassie Split

The federal sex trafficking trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs opened in New York City on May 12, and from the very first statements, it was clear, this case is about more than just law. It’s about power, love, heartbreak, and

Both sides laid bare their arguments in a courtroom packed with reporters, supporters, and family. But one statement from Diddy’s defence team stood out, not for its legal complexity, but for its raw, emotional undercurrent.

According to Diddy’s attorney, Teny Geragos, his former girlfriend Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura walked away from their decade-long relationship not because of abuse, but because of a deep emotional realization: that she would never mean as much to him as Kim Porter — the mother of Diddy’s children who died in 2018.

“When Combs said Kim Porter was his soulmate, Cassie realized all the things she would not be,” Geragos told the jury. “She wanted to be his wife, but she knew she never would be.”

That moment, where love, grief, and rejection reportedly collided, now lies at the heart of a case filled with difficult truths and disturbing claims. Cassie, who had been by Diddy’s side during Porter’s death, later accused him of rape, physical abuse, and trafficking.

Though her lawsuit was quickly settled privately in 2023, it shattered a long-held silence and inspired a wave of others, both women and men, to come forward with similar stories.

The most damning evidence so far is a 2016 surveillance video that surfaced earlier this year, showing Diddy physically attacking Cassie in a hotel hallway. The footage, shared widely on social media, sent shockwaves through fans and the industry.

Diddy later responded in a video apology, saying, “My behavior on that video is inexcusable… I was disgusted then; I’m disgusted now… I’m truly sorry.”

But that video is now being fought over in court. Diddy’s team claims it was edited and manipulated and have asked the judge to prevent the jury from seeing it. The judge disagreed — and the video will be part of the evidence in this high-profile trial.

Diddy, a man once idolized for his success, is now facing a potential 15-year prison sentence if convicted. But for many watching, the trial is about more than one man’s downfall. It’s a public confrontation with the culture of silence, manipulation, and unchecked power that has long haunted the entertainment industry.