Sean Combs Won’t Face Charges For 2016 LA Beating Of Cassie, DA Says Despite Video Evidence; “Cover-Up” Could Warrant Possible Probe

deadline.com:

Sean “Puffy” Combs won’t be prosecuted for beating the crap out of Casandra Ventura despite hotel surveillance footage showing the 2016 assault, says the Los Angeles District Attorney. “We are aware of the video that has been circulating online allegedly depicting Sean Combs assaulting a young woman in Los Angeles, stated George  Gascón late Friday a few hours after CNN’s May 17 exclusive of the horrific hallway assault at Century City’s now closed  InterContinental Hotel dropped.

A post shared by Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office (@ladaoffice) “We find the images extremely disturbing and difficult to watch,” the up for reelection DA continues of the attack on the singer by her then boyfriend Combs “If the conduct depicted occurred in 2016, unfortunately we would be unable to charge as the conduct would have occurred beyond the timeline where a crime of assault can be prosecuted.” The statute of limitations for domestic violence in California is five years.

The statute of limitations for simple and felony assault is one year and three years respectively in the Golden State. While holding to the letter of the law, the response by the media sensitive D.A.’s office clearly drops the ball on the spirit of the law.

However, a prominent law enforcement source tells Deadline that the much-accused Combs himself may have provided a potential pathway for investigation. “Reports that Combs paid $50,000 to the hotel for the footage of the incident soon after it occurred could, I say could, present the possibility of intent to cover-up a crime,” the source explained. “On the surface, that could warrant opening an investigation.” Still, the law enforcement official stressed that no formal LAPD probe has begun.