“This is why they put that tape out” — 50 Cent reacts to LA County DA’s explanation for not prosecuting Diddy on alleged assault charges

On Saturday, May 18, rapper 50 Cent took to social media to criticize Diddy following the release of a troubling video showing the rapper allegedly physically abusing his ex-partner, Cassie Ventura. The incident reportedly took place in March 2016.

Addressing the matter, the LA County Attorney's Office stated in an official post that the incident was "extremely disturbing and difficult to watch.” However, they disclosed that they would not be able to prosecute the rapper because the alleged attack occurred eight years ago and the prosecution window had closed.

Following this, 50 Cent, known for his frequent internet jabs at Diddy's legal troubles, shared the official post from the LA County District Attorney's Office on his Instagram with the caption:

"This is why they put that tape out, they know they can’t charge him with what we saw, but they know we can’t unsee what we saw."

As reported by Hot New Hiphop, 50 Cent has a theory regarding the entire incident. He suggested that the video was intentionally leaked because authorities knew they couldn't charge Diddy but hoped that the visual evidence would shape public opinion.

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Exploring the LA County DA’s decision to not prosecute Diddy for the viral assault video

50 Cent criticized Diddy for the video (Image via Facebook/@Diddy, Instagram /@50cent)

Hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs' frequent adversary, rapper 50 Cent, reignited their long-running feud on Saturday by reposting a statement from Los Angeles officials. The statement concerned a surveillance tape video from 2016, in which Combs can be seen attacking his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura.

The LA County District Attorney's Office condemned the footage, which allegedly shows Combs assaulting Ventura. In the clip, viewers can see Ventura, barefoot and waiting for a hotel elevator, trying to put on her shoes. Diddy, with a towel wrapped around his waist, approaches her. He then grabs Cassie by the back of her neck, throws her to the ground, and begins kicking her.

Once the footage went viral, the LA County DA’s office responded. In an Instagram post, they stated:

"We are aware of the video that has been circulating online allegedly depicting Sean Combs assaulting a young woman in Los Angeles. We find the images extremely disturbing and difficult to watch. 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."

This is because misdemeanor assault in California has a one-year statute of limitations, while felonies have a three-year statute of limitations. Since the altercation between Ventura and Combs happened eight years ago, the footage falls beyond those deadlines.

After the video was made public, 50 Cent shared it on Instagram with the caption:

"Now I’m sure puffy didn’t do it, he is innocent this proves nothing ! This is what his lawyers are gonna say, God help us all."

This post was a response to his earlier post analysis of the unsettling video that CNN had leaked.

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50 Cent and Sean "Diddy" Combs entered the rap scene around the same time and have been at odds since the early 2000s.

Their dispute gained attention once more, nearly twenty years later. After federal Homeland Security Investigations' agents raided Combs' houses in Miami and Los Angeles in March, 50 Cent was also quick to respond.

According to Forbes, the raids were part of a federal investigation into s*x trafficking based in the Southern District of New York.