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

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 hey everybody this is a law and crime legal alert Google incog needo track users browsing data without their knowledge yep well 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 anytime since 2016 you can start your claim in less than 10 questions at Incognito claims.com slidebar so we are continuing this conversation regarding Shawn Diddy Coles not a shocker there I mean he broke his silence and it wasn't in real reaction to the lawsuits it wasn't reaction to the raids uh we've heard him and his representative put out 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 uh by CNN last week a video that by all accounts reportedly shows him in a towel in a Hotel InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles savagely beating his ex-girlfriend Cassandra vent 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 look so clear um him throwing her to the ground kicking her twice dragging her throwing a vase in her Direction um and we already discussed that video we we shocked by it having said it as I mentioned before on previous side bars it actually tracks for btim with the language of Cassandra Ventura's complaint she had a lawsuit against Diddy back in 2023 she settled with him the following day but that description uh 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 uh 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 it's 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 made no excuses my behavior on that video is inexcusable I take full responsib posibility for my actions in that video disgusted I was disgusted then when I did it I'm disgusted now I went and I sought out professional help had to go into therapy and go on 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 him by multiple people lawsuits about sexual misconduct in the wake of his properties in LA and MI Miami being raided by federal agents possibly pursuing to a ongoing sex trafficking investigation we have to ask what was the mindset here was this smart legally was it not well for that I want to bring in a very special guest fan favorite my favorite one of my favorites I if I say my favorite then everybody else will be disappointed but this is I I love having a mom one of the greatest Ben Shu ACC claimed 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 grade to with you again I was as 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 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 uh 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 I I 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 and its total speculation was that this was the product either of his own valtion or that of his PR team but the the kind of top-notch criminal lawyers you often have on your show would 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 what he did yes I don't think that was helpful as you know of being intoxicated is only a defense to certain specific intent crimes like first-degree murder so saying that he was drunk uh doesn't help him legally under 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 actions back in 2016 why did he wait until 2024 to come clean he he not only did he deny them but he called her essentially a money grubber that this was all a a 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 denying let me be absolutely clear I did not do any of the awful things being alleged back in December after the Cassandra ventur 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 photos 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 I agree with you Ben that I think people are looking at and saying it just it's so Hollow yeah 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 M the beating of Miss Ventura I think the implications will be for the other accusers who've come forward because it it certainly gives more Credence to their allegations and Meredith firetog who represents cassandre Ventura uh 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 have even seen a statement from Diddy or B he would have also categorically denied it if the video was grainy you think he'd still come out say I'm 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 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 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 to do I would have advised him not to say anything of course uh as with testifying ultimately it's the client's decision to to speak or not to speak but um 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 te leaves if they knew this video existed if they 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 that's that's absolutely right and we we don't want to denigrate Council without knowing the facts but if if they in fact knew that this evidence were was out there wow I mean no that that's not a good idea and that's why you 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 P there's a reason you don't want it to be used against you you and and I have to imagine Ben if he's called uh to the stand in one of these civil lawsuits or he decides to take the stand wouldn't these prior statements of Flatout denials be used against him absolutely Jesse I mean I I think that would be I think as 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 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 and I have to be clear and and I'm I'm glad you have you I have you on for this specific point the Johnny Depp Amber herd trial I remember and I'll be completely honest with you Ben when it first was launched when 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 uh 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 opin court of public opinion and in the end it was a victory and I think I I at the end I completely understood and it seems to me that when you have other high-profile people who are accused of you know sexual abuse or physical abuse they are taking a a a Playbook and I don't know if did he's doing this but taking a Playbook off with the Johnny Deb 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 metos and that was one of the things that really distinguished Johnny's case from a lot of these others that after M herd 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 uh I think that really distinguishes it um from from all of these cases and in fact the evidence came forward that it was in fact Miss herd who was uh responsible for demestic violence not Mr Depp but those were particular facts and if you have a client who is Not Innocent um 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 the 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 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 in going to trial and really uh destroying what's left of your reputation and your business uh by going to trial when when you were going to be found liable but it was the statement after the denial right he could have just settled it allowed that settlement to speak for itself but the fact that he went on the offensive it denying and denying NY now let's talk about the other law suits do you think there is more incentive for him to settle these lawsuits to get rid of them as soon as possible um 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 settle settlement makes it's really the only option I think you settle everything and stay quiet and go to ground for a a long time and then hope that um one day your work will speak for itself but I would I would lie low I I 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 I think whenever you have a high-profile event you are going going to have more people coming forward uh 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 it's going to bring more more accusers and to be clear and I 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 that we're having today and Ben Before I Let You Go I know you're not a a criminal defense attorney um 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 um 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 I don't feel I can speculate about that but it's it's it's bad news for him all around it 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 ventur because she had to endure that and you know one of the things things that we keep hearing Ben the way she um 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 uh in an open Hotel um but also the idea of her response it was almost like this is I've I've 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 yeah on the ground while he kicked her not 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 is an image I'll never be able to get out of my mind yep Ben Shu 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 podcast I'm Jesse Weber I'll speak to you next time [Music]

Channel: Law&Crime Network

Views: 303,573

Keywords: law and crime, law and crime network, true crime, truecrime, true crime videos, court, trials, law&crime

Id: 398zUg62Q7g

Length: 19min 25sec (1165 seconds)

Published: Mon May 20 2024