Law&Crime Sidebar - Johnny Depp’s Lawyer Reacts to P. Diddy Beating Ex-Girlfriend and 'Apology' Video

Episode Date: May 20, 2024

While Los Angeles prosecutors cannot file charges against Sean “P. Diddy” Combs for an attack against Casandra Ventura caught on hotel surveillance cameras, the music mogul is still trying to do damage control. Law&Crime’s Jesse Weber sits down with Johnny Depp’s attorney Ben Chew to discuss the attack, the apology, and where things go from here.PLEASE SUPPORT THE SHOW:If you’ve used Incognito mode in Google’s Chrome browser, find out if you have a claim in a few clicks by visiting https://www.incognitoclaims.com/sidebar/?v=sb3HOST:Jesse Weber: https://twitter.com/jessecordweberLAW&CRIME SIDEBAR PRODUCTION:YouTube Management - Bobby SzokeVideo Editing - Michael DeiningerScript Writing & Producing - Savannah WilliamsonGuest Booking - Alyssa Fisher & Diane KayeSocial Media Management - Vanessa BeinSTAY UP-TO-DATE WITH THE LAW&CRIME NETWORK:Watch Law&Crime Network on YouTubeTV: https://bit.ly/3td2e3yWhere To Watch Law&Crime Network: https://bit.ly/3akxLK5Sign Up For Law&Crime's Daily Newsletter: https://bit.ly/LawandCrimeNewsletterRead Fascinating Articles From Law&Crime Network: https://bit.ly/3td2IqoLAW&CRIME NETWORK SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawandcrime/Twitter: https://twitter.com/LawCrimeNetworkFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/lawandcrimeTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/lawandcrimenetworkTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lawandcrimeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wondery Plus subscribers can binge all episodes of this Law and Crimes series ad-free right now. Join Wondry Plus in the Wondery app Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Agent Nate Russo returns in Oracle 3, Murder at the Grandview, the latest installment of the gripping Audible Original series. When a reunion at an abandoned island hotel turns deadly, Russo must untangle accident from murder. But beware, something sinister lurks in the grand. View Shadows. Joshua Jackson delivers a bone-chilling performance in this supernatural thriller that

will keep you on the edge of your seat. Don't let your fears take hold of you as you dive into this addictive series. Love thrillers with a paranormal twist? The entire Oracle trilogy is available on Audible. Listen now on Audible. We are still reacting from Diddy's response to that disturbing video from 2016 where he is allegedly beating his ex-girlfriend Cassandra Ventura and here to react to Diddy's reaction is a claimed attorney Ben Chu, who famously represented Johnny Depp in another abuse case. Welcome to Sidebar, presented by Law and Crime. I'm Jesse Weber. Everybody, this is a law and crime legal alert.

Google Incognito tracked users browsing data without their knowledge. Yep, while Mass Tort Alliance, one of our legal sponsors, is actually helping users file for compensation due to Google users' privacy issues surrounding Google Incognito. So if you've used Google Incognito any time since 2016, you can start your claim in less than 10 questions at incognito claims.com slash sidebar. So we are continuing this conversation regarding Sean Diddy Combs. Not a shocker there. I mean, he broke his silence and it wasn't in reaction to the lawsuits. It wasn't reaction to the raids. We've heard him and his representative put out statements before. But his reaction, first video that we've seen of him, this 54-year-old rapper and producer addressing that disturbing video that was released by CNN last week,

a video that by all accounts reportedly shows him in a towel, in a hotel, an intercontinental hotel in Los Angeles, savagely beating his ex-girlfriend Cassandra Ventura. This happened back in 2016. And you see him in the video, or allegedly in the video, although I have to tell you, it just looks so clear, him throwing her to the ground, kicking her twice, dragging her, throwing a vase in her direction. And we already discussed that video, we shocked by it. Having said it, as I mentioned before on previous sidebars,

it actually tracks verbatim with the language of Cassandra Ventura's complaint. She had filed a lawsuit against Diddy back in 2023. She settled with him the following day. But that description of that 2016 event, it's almost verbatim. So it definitely gives credence to her claims. And I will say it also probably gives credence to the other. allegations that did he's facing not necessarily that he's you know liable or guilty or responsible or did anything that he's accused of doing but we're definitely looking at it in a different context

today than we were the other day and so as we talk about this his response on instagram breaking his silence what did he say about this video take a listen it's so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life sometimes you got to do that I was up. I mean, I hit rock bottom, but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I'm disgusted.

I was disgusted then when I did it. I'm disgusted now. I went and I sought out professional help. I had to go into therapy and go into rehab. Had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I'm so sorry. But I'm committed to be a better man each and every day. I'm not asking for forgiveness.

I'm truly sorry. So he publishes this on Instagram two days after CNN published that video. This is all in the wake of these lawsuits being filed against it by multiple people. Lawsuits about sexual misconduct. In the wake of his properties in L.A. and Miami being raided by federal agents, possibly pursuant to a ongoing sex trafficking investigation. We have to ask, what was the mindset here? Was this smart legally?

Was it not? For that, I want to bring in a very special guest. Fan favorite, my favorite, one of my favorites. If I say my favorite, then everybody else will be disappointed. But this is, I love having him on, one of the greatest. Ben Shue, acclaimed attorney, famously represented Johnny Depp, who remember he was accused of abuse as well. And obviously we had that incredible trial that we covered here on law and crime. And Ben, I'm so happy to see you.

Thank you for coming on. I'm just going to ask you, before we even get into your reaction, you know what, I'll tell you what. First, your reaction to the video from 2016. And then let me ask you this. Would you have had your client send out a video like this a day and a half, two days after that video was published? Jesse, first, great to be with you again. I was, as you were, horrified by the video. It's a scene of real brutality.

It's one thing to read it in the printed page, which is bad enough, but to actually see it happen is horrifying. In answer to your question, I would not have had my client give a statement on the heels of the release of that video. And I certainly wouldn't have had him release that statement because I think it will be fodder for future examinations and deposition testimony, none of which is going to be good for Mr. Combs. Because he essentially admitted that was him on the tape doing that while there's an ongoing federal investigation while he's facing these lawsuits. don't understand what the mindset was. Do you think he, his attorneys are saying, what did you do? Or do you think his attorneys thought there could be some sort of legal advantage to it? I mean, he didn't have to respond, right? He didn't have to say anything. No, Jesse, he didn't. And my guess in its total speculation was that this was the product

either of his own volition or that of his PR team. But the kind of top-notch criminal lawyers you often have on your show would certainly have advised him to stay quiet because, as you mentioned, he's just thrown out the window any potential objection to the authenticity of the video. Also, I think what he said was really not helpful at all. What about it was not helpful at all? What was his, and remember, his explanation, not necessarily blaming substance abuse or drugs, but kind of putting a context into what he did. Yes, I don't think that was helpful. As you know, being intoxicated is only a defense to certain specific intent crimes like first-degree murder. So saying that he was drunk doesn't help him legally undercuts the sincerity or apparent sincerity of any apology. But what really struck me as disingenuous was he said he was disgusted at the time of 2016. Well, if he really were disgusted by his

back in 2016. Why did he wait until 2024 to come clean? He not only did he deny them, but he called her essentially a money grubber that this was all a desire for a payday. That doesn't sound like somebody who's disgusted with himself. Ben, I wish I could give you a high five right now because you nailed it right on the head. I have been saying this from the beginning. He didn't issue when all the lawsuits were coming out. He didn't say, I wait for my day in court. I'll allow my lawyers to speak. No comment at this time. He issued a statement. I remember posted on Instagram, deny it. Let me be absolutely clear. I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. Back in December, after the Cassandra Ventura lawsuit, after he was being sued by

multiple people, flat out denied it, said it was lies. And, you know, like, obviously, we didn't see any of the evidence yet. There was certain photo. that we saw on things like that, but he knew this tape existed. There is an allegation in Cassandra Ventura's complaint that he purchased the footage for $50,000 so that no one would see it. That's what for me doesn't ring true. And by the way, because there is a three-year statute of limitations on assault in California, if he really felt so bad, he could have gone to authorities and turned himself in and

admitted it. So that's the part, I agree with you, Ben, that I think people look in and saying it just it's so hollow yeah absolutely reeks of insincerity and i think you really made an excellent point that in light of the statute of limitations expiring as to the beating of miss ventura i think the implications will be for the other accusers who've come forward because it's it certainly gives more credence to their allegations and meredith firetog who represents cassandra ventura and other women who have sued combs released a statement saying that the apology was more about himself than the many people he's hurt when cassie and multiple other women came forward he

denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday that he was only compelled to apologize once his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation and no one will be swayed by his disingenuous words ben would you agree with me that if that video wasn't so clear if it was grainy if he could deny it was him a we might not even seen a statement from ditty or b he would have also categorically denied it if the video was grainy you think he'd still come out and say, I regret all my actions. I'm ashamed. No, Jesse, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I think he thought he was caught red-handed, which is why I suppose he paid the $50,000 to try to catch and kill that particular video. So, no, I think he felt he was caught red-handed

and thought it was in his best interest to give the statement, but I think it was another misjudgment on his part. And that, that's the allegation that he paid it. What would, if he said to you, If he's your client, Ben, I want to say something. I have to respond to this. What would you have advised him do? I would have advised him not to say anything. Of course, as with testifying, ultimately it's the client's decision to speak or not to speak. But I think I would have recommended in the strongest possible way not to make any statement at this point.

But is it also a mistake of his legal counsel? Let me be fair. I don't know them. I'm just reading the tea leaves. If they knew this video existed, if they knew this video existed, if they knew. know what else is out there? To issue a blanket denial when something like this could come out that is very strong, either A, it seems to me they didn't know about it, or B, they weren't thinking that far ahead? Yeah, that's absolutely right. And we don't want to denigrate counsel without knowing

the facts. But if they in fact knew that this evidence was out there, wow, no, that's not a good idea. And that's why every time there's a lawsuit or pending litigation, everybody's like, I can't comment. I can't comment. There's pending litigation. There's a reason. You don't want it to be used against you. And I have to imagine, Ben, if he's called to the stand in one of these civil lawsuits or he decides to take the stand, wouldn't these prior statements of flat out denials be used against him? Absolutely, Jesse. I mean, I think that would be, I think, as you do as well, I think the use of audio tape and videotape is so powerful because obviously you show this video, but you would show all of the prior statements and you would take a lot of time before the jury

and you would play the video and the audio as much as you possibly could because it almost doesn't matter what he says. If to the extent he testifies, it almost doesn't matter how he reacts because these audio tapes, these statements really speak for themselves. And I have to be clear, and I'm glad you have you on for this specific point. The Johnny Depp Amber Heard trial, I remember, and I'll be completely honest with you, Ben, when it first was launched, when I first heard about it, when I first heard it was going to trial, I struggled with the idea. I said, why would an A-list actor like Johnny Depp, why would he want to go to trial?

Why would he want all of this exposed? And as the trial progressed, I saw this was an opportunity for him to essentially clear his name, to hold his counterparty, show me. the evidence. Let the world see what you have and let me hear your allegations. And it was not only a battle in the court of law. It was a battle in the court of opinion, court of public opinion. And in the end, it was a victory. And I think at the end, I completely understood. And it seems to me that when you have other high profile people who are accused of sexual abuse or physical abuse, they are taking a playbook. And I don't know if Diddy's doing this, but taking a playbook

off with the Johnny Depp model and saying, I'm going to go on the offensive now. I'm going to deny, but there is a difference, right? There is a difference, Ben, right? Yes, there's a huge difference. I mean, among other things, there were no other me-toes. And that was one of the things that really distinguished Johnny's case from a lot of these others that after Ms. Heard first made the allegations of abuse in 2016, there were crickets. There was no other woman who came forward. And then in 2018, when she effectively remade and amplified the allegations, there was no one else who came forward. And I think, I think that really distinguishes it from, from all of these cases. And in fact, the evidence came forward that it was, in fact, Ms. Herr, who was responsible for

domestic violence, not Mr. Depp. But those were particular facts. And if you have a client who is not innocent, you know, you can't, you can't employ that type of strategy. Which makes it interesting that he settled the Cassandra Ventura lawsuit one day, after it was filed. I have to imagine it was so that it doesn't get to this point where evidence like this is released for the trial, for a jury to see or for the world to see. Because let's be clear, if he really did purchase the tape for $50,000 during the course of litigation, he'd have to hand that over. Absolutely. And I think there's no problem. I think it was smart of him to settle that case because the facts were horrific. And there's no point going to trial

and really destroying what's left of your reputation and your business. by going to trial when you were going to be found liable. But it was the statement after, the denial, right? He could have just settled it and allowed that settlement to speak for itself, but the fact that he went on the offense event and denying and denying nine. Now let's talk about the other lawsuits. Do you think there is more incentive for him to settle these lawsuits to get rid of them as soon as possible? Or if he does that, will that look worse now in light of the video, in light of his apology?

what would you think would be the right move for him on the litigation front? On the litigation front, I think settlement makes, it's really the only option. I think you settle everything and stay quiet and go to ground for a long time and then hope that one day your work will speak for itself, but I would lie low. There's no upside for him defending these cases at this point. Do you think there is a chance more people could come forward after this video was posted? Absolutely. I think whenever you have a high-profile event, you are going to have more people coming forward because they will be emboldened by it, which I think is another reason to settle,

because as long as these cases go on, they're going to garner a lot of attention. They're going to garner a lot of news coverage, and it's going to bring more. more accusers. And to be clear, and I have to say this, you know, he hasn't been charged with a crime as of yet. He hasn't been found liable in a court of law with respect to any of these allegations. They are allegations at this point, but clearly things have changed. It is a different story than we're having today. And Ben, before I let you go, I know you're not a criminal defense attorney. But look, there is an ongoing federal investigation. We're not sure exactly what they're looking into if it is purportedly sex trafficking. I believe a video like that will play

a pivotal role in that case. And I think that his denial, his denials and also his apology would play a pivotal role. Do you think the timing of the release of this video tells us anything about that federal investigation? That's a great question, Jesse. I don't feel I can speculate about that, but it's it's bad news for him all around. It really is. And that video is ingrained in my mind. It's ingrained in a lot of people's minds, and the one person I keep thinking about, Cassandra Ventura, because she had to endure that. And you know one of the things that we keep hearing, Ben, the way she reacted to getting physically assaulted, many people say, this wasn't the first time. And it was so brazen how he came out and did that in an open hotel. But also the idea of her

response, it was almost like, this is, I've had this happen to me before. Would you think that's a fair assessment. I do. And the image that really will stick with me, and we didn't have the audio, but she was lying motionless on the ground while he kicked her. Not that there would have been justification for kicking her had she been moving, but he was kicking someone who was completely prone and vulnerable. And that, unfortunately, is an image I'll never be able to get out of my mine. Yep. Ben Shue, great having you on. So good seeing you, sir. Thank you so much for your perspective. Anytime. Thank you so much, Jesse. And that is all we have for you here on Sidebar, everybody. Thank you so much for joining us. As always, please subscribe on Apple Podcast, Spotify,

YouTube, wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Jesse Weber. I'll speak to you next time. You can binge all episodes of this law and crime series ad free right now on Wondery Plus. Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.