Chaos erupted at Membership New York in Manhattan on December 27, 1999, when a taking pictures left Natania Reuben with extreme accidents and a haunting reminiscence of Diddy pulling the set off.
Over 20 years later, Reuben recounted her harrowing expertise and voiced her disdain for a current video displaying Diddy mistreating his former companion Cassie Ventura, bringing recent scrutiny to his previous.
Reuben’s face nonetheless carries fragments from the 9mm bullet that struck her that night time. Regardless of years of recounting her story, she stays dismayed by the persistent skepticism and the leniency Diddy obtained in court docket.
In an unique interview with NewsNation, she sharply criticized Diddy’s apology, referencing the video the place he addresses Cassie’s accusations.
“I used to be disgusted. I used to be disgusted at a really deep place at the start as a result of it validated the whole lot we already knew and suspected,” Reuben stated. “I used to be very saddened for Cassie as a result of she needed to be revictimized by this factor being offered. She instructed her narrative and for therefore many individuals it wasn’t sufficient.”
In the course of the trial that adopted the nightclub taking pictures, Reuben testified that she noticed Diddy maintain a black gun earlier than she was struck.
Regardless of the testimony, Diddy was acquitted of all costs, whereas rapper Shyne, concerned in the identical incident, was sentenced to 10 years in jail on assault and weapons costs.
Reuben maintains that Diddy ought to have confronted comparable costs, if no more extreme, for tried homicide and legal possession of a firearm.
Reuben continues to claim her clear view of the incident and has even provided to bear procedures to take away the bullet fragments in her face as potential proof, hoping to reignite efforts for a brand new trial.
The ordeal hasn’t simply left bodily scars however has additionally led to important backlash throughout the neighborhood, the place talking out towards influential figures will be fraught with challenges.
“I received known as out the whole time. There was a story that we should always by no means converse in poor health of any person within the tradition or one other black man. However I used to be additionally raised to talk reality to energy. I at all times spoke up and I’m not going to cease now,” Reuben acknowledged firmly.
Because the controversies surrounding Diddy persist, Reuben’s story calls consideration to the broader difficulty of accountability and the enduring wrestle victims face when difficult highly effective people. She stays steadfast in her pursuit of justice, unwilling to let her voice be silenced.