1st week of testimony in Diddy trial concludes with graphic accusations

The first week of testimony in the Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial is concluding — and with it Casandra “Cassie” Ventura’s testimony.

Ventura, the R&B singer who was Combs’ girlfriend for around a decade, had filed a lawsuit alleging he sexually and physically abused her. It was settled in late 2023, but it sparked a series of similar accusations against Combs, People reported.

The rap mogul was indicted in September on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty.

Combs, 55, has had a career in music, fashion and TV for more than 30 years.

He faces 15 years to life in prison if convicted on all counts by the jury, the Washington Post reported.

Ventura’s testimony this week included graphic descriptions of Combs’ alleged abuse, which included recording her as she had sex with other men, urinating on her and forcing her to have sex even when she was uncomfortable, on her period or sick, according to People.

She has described, in graphic detail, the alleged “freak-off” parties where she says Combs directed her to have sex with male escorts while he filmed and allegedly beat her when she didn’t perform to his tastes, the Post reported.

And Ventura also has testified that Combs raped her when she tried to leave him in 2018 and threatened a rapper she briefly dated, according to the Post.

Friday concluded with defense attorneys’ cross-examination of Ventura, which included old texts and emails in which she expressed love for Combs and enthusiasm for the parties, as well as violent outburst in which she acknowledged attacking and threatening people, the Post reported.

Late Friday, special agent Yasin Binda, an investigator in the Department of Homeland Security’s human trafficking group, was called as the prosecution’s next witness, the Post said.

Also up next to testify is Combs’s former band member Dawn Richard. It is unclear if there will be time for Richard’s testimony before the day concludes, according to the Post.