Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs seeks to remove Kid Cudi’s car explosion testimony
Kid Cudi testified against Sean ‘Diddy‘ Combs last week, claiming his car was blown up outside his house by Combs. Now, the Bad Boy rapper is seeking to remove his testimony from the record in his sex trafficking trial.
The alleged incident occurred in 2012 when Cudi was dating Combs’ longtime partner, Cassie. Cudi claimed his Porsche was set on fire by a Molotov cocktail after it was cut open. This came after Cassie testified that Combs was jealous about their romance and threatened to blow up his car.
According to People, Combs’ defence team wants Cudi’s testimony ignored as a “witness generally cannot testify that in his opinion, a declarant was lying when making a statement.” They claim his statements were “mere speculation” and provide “significant dangers of unfair prejudice” against him.
They continued, “Mescudi’s speculation about Combs’s involvement had minimal probative value, whereas the danger of unfair prejudice, particularly since he was opining about an ultimate issue as to which he was the alleged victim—whether Combs was guilty of arson, one of the charged racketeering acts—was great.”
In his testimony, Cudi claimed Combs trespassed inside his home and told him on a call, “I am here waiting for you.” Cudi later questioned Combs about the car, but he allegedly said, “I don’t know what you are talking about.” However, years later, Cudi claimed that Combs apologised and said, “I’m just sorry for all that bullshit.”
After taking the stand, Cudi described it as a “stressful situation” and revealed he was glad the questioning was behind him.
Combs is currently on trial for charges of racketeering, sex trafficking by force and transportation for purposes of prostitution. He has been held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center since September and could face up to life in prison if found guilty of the charges against him.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.