Prosecutor admits 'mistakes', but is that enough?

Prosecutor admits ‘mistakes’, but is that enough?

Jay-Z accused of raping 13-year-old at 2000 VMA after-party alongside Sean 'Diddy' Combs; Rapper responds — Jay-Z accused of raping 13-year-old at 2000 VMA after-party alongside Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs; Rapper responds (Photo: d2sf/Wikimedia COMmons/CC-BY-SA 3.0 )

The anonymous woman who accused Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs of raping her in 2000 at the age of 13 now acknowledges that her accusations were inconsistent. The Alabama lady told NBC News on Friday that she had made some mistakes about the “catastrophic event” during a home party after the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. The interview revealed three contradictions in her story that night.

In a legal document obtained by On Page Six, Jay-Z’s lawyer tried to hasten the dismissal of the case.

On Friday evening, attorney Alex Spiro urged the judge to shorten the case’s filing date from 21 to one. According to the letter to the New York court, “today’s stunning public revelations and the serious ongoing damage to Mr. Carter’s reputation” prompted the request.

The unnamed lady, known as Jane Doe in court documents obtained by Page Six, told NBC News that her father picked her up after the alleged rape. But her father said he doesn’t remember. However, the alleged victim maintained her memory and said her father had difficulty remembering that time.

She also said she chatted with Benji Madden at the afterparty. According to a spokesperson, the Good Charlotte frontman and his brother Joel Madden were touring across the country during the alleged event.

“Honestly, what’s clearest is what happened to me and the route I took to what happened to me. Not all the faces there are clear,” the woman told the outlet about part of the vagueness of her claims. “So I made some mistakes. Maybe I made a mistake in identifying.”

Photos from the night show Jay-Z and Combs, 55, in a location not described by the victim.

After the 2000 VMAs, NBC News received and reviewed footage of the old friends at Lotus nightclub, but the woman’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, said she did not say the attack took place there.

“We tried to confirm the correct location. We never suggested the location was the Lotus club,” Buzbee told NBC News. “Our client has been very specific and detailed in describing the location she claims she was taken to, and she never said it was the Lotus Club.”

Despite memory problems, the prosecutor maintained her charges. But this weekend, the lady added Jay-Z to her October complaint, which only mentioned Combs.

Despite dozens of legal complaints alleging sexual assault, rape, sex trafficking and more, Combs’ representatives have maintained his innocence.

In a response Friday to Page Six, Shawn Carter, aka Jay-Z, disputed the rape allegations and praised Doe for admitting mistakes. The ‘Empire State of Mind’ hitmaker also said: ‘We fight FROM victory, not FOR victory. This was over before it started. This 1-800 attorney doesn’t realize it yet, but soon.”

Jay-Z told Page Six this week that the lawsuit against Buzbee was an “attempt at blackmail.” Texas attorney Buzbee represents more than 120 men and women who allege Combs sexually assaulted them. In response, the attorney tweeted that his firm “sent Jay-Z’s attorney a demand letter on behalf of an alleged victim, and that victim never demanded a dime from him.”

Jane Doe has no regrets about coming forward despite fierce defense from Jay-Z and Combs, hoping she can inspire other victims to come forward.

The controversy surrounding the allegations has sparked intense reactions on social media platforms. On One user expressed disbelief at the situation, writing: “I can’t believe this is happening. If she’s lying it’s a huge disservice to the real victims. #JusticeForAll.” The comment highlights the potential damage false accusations can do to the broader movement for justice.

Meanwhile, other X users have expressed skepticism about the validity of the case, with some suggesting the allegations are unraveling. Another follower wrote, “This feels like it’s falling apart. I don’t understand how they’re winning now. #JayZ #Diddy #FameDrama,” suggesting that the inconsistencies in the accuser’s story weaken her position. Another user was concerned about the inconsistencies, saying, “I’m all for victims speaking out, but this is starting to sound like a mess. Too many inconsistencies. #Justice?” These comments reflect growing uncertainty about the credibility of the allegations.

However, not all responses were critical of the prosecutor. Some users have expressed support for victims speaking out, despite the ambiguity surrounding the details of the case. One netizen commented: “The truth is dark, but I hope this doesn’t stop others from speaking out. #Survivor #MeToo,” emphasizing the importance of giving victims a platform no matter the challenges they face they are confronted. Meanwhile, another user raised the possibility of a larger investigation, wondering if the case could be part of a broader PR strategy: “I wonder if this will lead to a larger investigation or if it’s just a PR stunt. #HollywoodSecrets.”

Business Times has reached out to Jay-Z for additional comment.