Johnny Depp's lawyer weighs in on Diddy's legal battle as the rapper awaits trial for alleged sex trafficking and more

Sean Combs aka P. Diddy is currently facing several lawsuits as well as a number of charges alleging sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution, racketeering and more. Back in September, Combs was arrested in New York and since then he has been locked up in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn awaiting trial. A number of people – including some celebrities – have been concerned about Diddy’s legal troubles during this time. Now, a lawyer, who represented Johnny Depp a few years ago, is sharing thoughts.

Benjamin Chew recently appeared on an episode of Piers Morgan uncensoredwhere he participated in a panel discussion about P. Diddy’s ongoing legal situation. When the eponymous host asked Chew for his opinion, Chew acknowledged it raids on Diddy’s homes as well as the 2016 surveillance video of the rapper assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in a hotel. As for how the video in particular could impact the case, Chew said:

You referenced the Cassie video. I think that’s devastating too. I think that’s going to force him to testify, and I think he’s going to have to do a lot better than he did in that apology video if he wants to convince one or two of the jurors to hang the jury. I don’t like his chances.

Several years ago, Benjamin Chew helped represent Johnny Depp during his (televised) defamation trial with ex-wife Amber heard. The lawyer’s efforts – together with those of his colleague – were ultimately successful verdict involved Heard found guilty in three cases of defamation against the Pirates of the Caribbean star. While appearing on Piers Morgan’s talk show (as shared on YouTube), Chew went on to share more thoughts on the aforementioned Cassie video and how it could play a role in the upcoming legal proceedings:

Video is so damaging to any litigation, whether criminal or civil, because it is difficult to explain away. If there’s no video or if there’s no audio, then there’s room for doubt, but if you have the audio or video tape, as you know, it’s so devastating. But I think the corroborating witnesses will also be helpful, but they will only confirm what we saw with our own eyes.

Cassie Ventura filed suit against Puff Daddy in November 2023 for allegedly subjecting her to rape, sex trafficking and more during their relationship, which lasted from 2007 to 2018. The lawsuit was settled less than 24 hours later and in May 2024 the hotel video published. was released and showed the Grammy winner throwing Cassie to the ground by her neck and kicking her multiple times, before dragging her and throwing an object at her. Diddy later apologized for his actions via a video posted to social media statement was criticized by Cassie’s lawyer. Alex Fine, Ventura’s husband also spoke out after the footage was released and punished anyone who would condone domestic violence.

A fourteen-page indictment made public during P. Diddy’s arrest detailed the aforementioned charges against him, along with bribery, arson, and more. While sharing more thoughts on the Sean John founder, Benjamin Chew further emphasized the need for Diddy to testify and show legitimate remorse, especially regarding the hotel video:

I think he should definitely explain that video. He absolutely needs to explain. If he chooses not to testify, it will be devastating. He will really have to take responsibility and not just say the words. When he said he was sorry, it didn’t ring true. I’d like to see more emotion there. I think another complicating factor is the fact that he already made the apology video. … He has to acknowledge it and say, ‘I did something terrible. I will regret it for the rest of my life, but that doesn’t mean I engaged in sex trafficking. He has to look the jury in the eye and say it convincingly.

As of now, the sex trafficking trial of Sean Combs is set to begin on May 5, 2025. In the meantime, it remains to be seen whether anyone else – be it a legal professional like Benjamin Chew or not – will cooperate. about the issue.