NBA YoungBoy‘s 2018 aggravated assault and kidnapping case is resurfacing this week. A newly circulated video shows the rapper physically attacking his then-girlfriend in a hotel hallway. The footage is graphic enough to draw comparisons to the Diddy and Cassie incident. His legal team, though, is downplaying the significance of the old footage.
The video, posted on social media Thursday night, runs over three minutes and depicts brutal violence that’s difficult to witness.
In the clip, NBA YoungBoy throws the woman to the floor with force, then yanks and drags her across the hallway. She appears terrified, struggling to escape his grip. He rips away her top, and what looks like a facial injury is visible. Despite the altercation, the two walk off down the hallway together.
YoungBoy was indicted on kidnapping and aggravated assault charges stemming from this incident, but he negotiated a plea deal. The felony charges were dropped in exchange for a guilty plea to misdemeanor simple battery with a family violence modifier. BlkCosmo had previously obtained footage of the body slam, but this newly surfaced video is clearer and captures significantly more of the violent exchange.
Under the terms of the settlement, YoungBoy avoided jail time. He received 12 months’ probation, a $1,500 fine, and was required to complete anger management classes. He was also ordered to maintain distance from the woman involved.
When reached by BlkCosmo, YoungBoy’s attorney Jimmy Manasseh told the outlet the matter was resolved nearly a decade ago. “It was a misdemeanor, settled long ago,” Manasseh said. “I don’t think it’s a big deal. She requested the charges be dropped. He was on probation in East Baton Rouge and was never revoked because of it.”
The timing of this video’s resurgence comes as high-profile cases involving violence against women are receiving renewed scrutiny across the entertainment industry. While the severity may differ from other recent incidents, the footage speaks for itself.
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