Cassie Ventura has concluded four days of intense testimony in the criminal trial of her ex-partner Sean “Diddy” Combs.
The singer, in tears, declared in a New York courtroom Tuesday that she would forgo her $20 million legal settlement with Combs if it meant she had never participated in his “humiliating” drug-infused sex parties, known as ‘freak-offs’.
Ms. Ventura, the prosecution’s key witness, was subjected to rigorous questioning by both legal teams regarding her decade-long relationship with Combs.
Combs is accused of racketeering, sex trafficking, and transporting individuals for prostitution, with the possibility of life imprisonment if convicted. He denies these allegations.
Ms. Ventura detailed the graphic specifics of her intimate life with Combs, the physical violence they claim she suffered, and the alleged cover-up crew they had.
She also spoke of filing a lawsuit against Combs in November 2023, which included these allegations. This lawsuit resulted in a $20 million settlement from Combs just a day later.
The details of the settlement, which had been publicly known but not its value, were seemingly aimed to call into question the motives behind Ms. Ventura’s accusations during the defense’s cross-examination of her, extending into Thursday and Friday.
Combs’ Defense attorney, Anna Estevao, hinted that Ms. Ventura might have been desperate for money when filing her lawsuit, noting that she had recently moved in with her parents with her husband and children.
Ms. Ventura dismissed this portrayal, asserting that while the financial settlement could offer some relief, it couldn’t compare to the freedom and autonomy she sacrificed due to the ‘freak-offs’, which physically injured her and adversely affected her career.
“I would have agency and autonomy,” she stated.
Combs’ legal team also presented the jury with numerous messages exchanged between the couple across their relationship, claiming their relationship was toxic yet not criminal.
In a surprise move just before Ms. Ventura stepped down as a witness on Friday, Combs’ team unveiled another settlement: a $10 million deal regarding her allegations against him.
Ms. Ventura informed the court she expects to receive around $10 million from InterContinental hotel related to an incident in 2016 where surveillance footage showed Combs physically assaulting her in a hotel hallway.
Despite the late hour, the prosecution managed to call two more witnesses before the court adjourned. One was Dawn Richard, a member of Danity Kane, who testified about witnessing Combs assault Ms. Ventura at his Los Angeles home in 2009.
“She fell down,” Ms. Richard recounted to the court. “She was in the foetal position.” Subsequent to the incident, Combs told her what she saw was “passion” and implied people could “go missing” if they spoke out about such incidents.
US Homeland Security special agent Yasin Binda also testified, recounting the seizure of cash, drugs, and baby oil from the rapper’s hotel room upon his arrest in New York.
Next week, additional testimony from witnesses called by the prosecution is expected. The trial at the Lower Manhattan court has been the subject of intense media attention, with spectators arriving in large numbers and waiting overnight to catch a glimpse of Combs, his family, and the celebrities providing their testimonies.
