Where the sex trafficking trial stands
- Cassie Ventura returned to the stand today for more bombshell testimony as the government's highest-profile witness in the trial against Sean "Diddy" Combs.
- Combs' ex-girlfriend told the court that she was frequently physically abused by the rap mogul, suffered multiple medical issues as a result of constant "freak offs" — the drug-fueled orgies allegedly orchestrated by Combs — and was blackmailed with sex videos. She testified that Combs raped her in 2018. Ventura returns to the witness stand tomorrow, when the defense will begin their cross-examination.
- The jury was shown security video showing Combs assaulting Ventura at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016, as well as sensitive video and still images documenting the injuries she sustained after the alleged incidents of abuse.
- Combs faces five criminal counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy; two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has vociferously denied the allegations against him.
- This live briefing may include graphic descriptions of sexual violence. For resources on sexual assault, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline.
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Cassie says she settled her suit with Diddy for $20 million
At the end of her direct testimony, Cassie Ventura said she settled her lawsuit with Combs for $20 million.
Ventura said her attorney initially reached out to Combs and his representatives to ask about compensating her $30 million after informing them of her plans to write a book about her relationship with Combs.
She said she considered the book part of her “trauma therapy." She did not receive any money at that time.
Defense's cross-examination planned for tomorrow
U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian sent jurors home for the day, telling them to return Thursday at 9:30 a.m. "on the dot."
That's when Combs' defense lawyers are set to begin what could be a lengthy cross-examination of Cassie Ventura.
Cassie's second day on the stand wraps up
In general, Ventura kept her composure today, answering questions in a calm and matter-of fact tone. But she became more visibly emotional as she described Combs allegedly raping her in 2018, and she broke down in tears shortly after as she recounted her trauma, suicidal ideation and “personal shame.”
Ventura's direct testimony ends
Ventura wrapped up her direct testimony, telling jurors she took the witness stand to rid herself of “the shame, the guilt” she has carried.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson asked Ventura why she put herself through this process.
“I can’t carry this anymore, the shame, the guilt, what’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong, people aren’t disposable,” Ventura said.
The jury is now on a short break before cross-examination is expected to begin.
Cassie says that Combs raped her in 2018
Cassie Ventura testified that Combs raped her in 2018 after she said they were supposed to have a "closure conversation."
She said the two went out to dinner at a restaurant in Malibu, Calif. She recalled their conversation being "nice" and "playful." At that time, she said she was already in a relationship with her now-husband, Alex Fine.
Combs eventually took her back to her apartment, Ventura told the court.
“I went inside, he came in and raped me on the living room floor,” Ventura alleged in court. “I remember crying and saying no. It was fast, his eyes were black, he wasn’t himself, it was like somebody taking something from you.”
She said after that incident, the two were intimate voluntarily one other time.
Court shown picture of Ventura with a black eye
The court was shown a close-up picture of Ventura's eyebrow and black eye. When asked who gave her the black eye, Ventura responded: "Sean."
Combs prevented his family from seeing Ventura after she had sustained any injuries, she said.
"He told me to make sure his son couldn’t see me like that, the bruises on my face," Ventura told the court.
Cassie says she broke up with Kid Cudi after Combs threats
Cassie Ventura said in 2011, while she was at home in Connecticut during the holiday season, she called off her relationship with Scott Mescudi (otherwise known as rapper Kid Cudi) after Combs threatened them both.
“I had broken off the relationship with Scott Mescudi, [there was] too much uncertainty if we continued to see each other,” she said, adding that there was danger and “Sean said he was going to hurt the both of us.”
At one point, she said Combs told her that when she was out of the country “Scott’s car would be blown up.”
Cassie says her mother took pictures of her bruises
Cassie Ventura told the jury that she went to see her mother in Connecticut after allegedly being physically beaten by Combs.
Ventura said she raised her shirt, allowing her mother to take photos of the bruises to her lower back and butt, along with wounds on her right thigh.
"I believe I told her this was the first time, and I didn't tell her about the 'freak offs,'" Ventura said in court, adding that she felt she couldn't "justify it to anyone, especially my mom."
Cassie recalls another alleged incident of physical violence
Cassie Ventura recalled another incident in which she alleged Combs beat her, saying he got angry with her after she was at a party at Prince's house.
Ventura went to the basement, believing the late artist was going to play music, she told the court.
"I caught a glimpse of him (Combs), so I ran out as fast as I could because I thought he was angry," Ventura recalled. "I knew he was angry, his facial expression, he came after me."
Later, at a Los Angeles hotel room where she was staying, she said Combs "beat me up and threw luggage at me. I had bruising on my face, knots on my head."
Cassie describes alleged beating that happened inside car
Ventura recalled a violent outburst by Combs that she said happened early in their relationship that left her "shocked" and "angry."
Ventura said she had spotted Combs flirting in a restaurant with another woman and when they got back to their car, the rapper "knocked me around" in an outburst that allegedly happened in either 2007 or 2008.
"He hit me on the side of my head and I fell to the floor of the Escalade," Ventura said. "He shook me up and scared me quite a bit. So I got out of the car, I was shocked, I didn't understand what happened and why he was so angry."
She added: "I knew his capabilities, his access to guns, and threats he made."
