Reuters
Sean “Diddy” Combs' former girlfriend Casandra Ventura began what could be a grueling cross-examination on Thursday at the hip-hop mogul's criminal trial, after she accused him of rape and more than a decade of violent abuse.
Ventura, a rhythm and blues singer known as Cassie, is the star government witness against Combs, who has pleaded not guilty to five felony counts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.
If convicted on all counts, the 55-year-old rapper and founder of Bad Boy Records would face a minimum 15 years in prison and could face life behind bars.
Combs is being tried in Manhattan federal court. He has since September been held in a Brooklyn jail when not in court.
A lawyer for Combs said Ventura's cross-examination may take two days. Defense lawyers have signaled they will ask Ventura about her own alleged history of domestic violence, and whether a desire for money motivated her to get back at Combs.
Ventura, married to personal trainer Alex Fine since 2019 and pregnant with her third child, has already spent 1-1/2 days answering questions from a prosecutor.
She has told jurors that Combs coerced and blackmailed her throughout their 11-year relationship into days-long, drug-fueled sexual performances he called “Freak Offs.” Their relationship ended in 2018.
Part of Combs' criminal case stems from Ventura's November 2023 civil lawsuit against him. She testified that he agreed after 24 hours to settle for $20 million.
Asked on Wednesday why she decided to testify against Combs, Ventura said she could no longer bear the emotional burden of years of his physical and emotional abuse.
"I can't carry this anymore," Ventura said. "I can't carry the shame, the guilt, the way he treated people like they were disposable. What's right is right, what's wrong is wrong. I came here to do the right thing."
Also known during his career as Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, Combs founded Bad Boy Records and is credited with helping turn artists like Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Notorious B.I.G. and Usher into stars in the 1990s and 2000s.
Combs also faces dozens of civil lawsuits by women and men who accuse him of sexual abuse. He has denied wrongdoing and said his relationships were consensual.
The criminal trial could take up to two months.
Ventura, a rhythm and blues singer known as Cassie, is the star government witness against Combs, who has pleaded not guilty to five felony counts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.
If convicted on all counts, the 55-year-old rapper and founder of Bad Boy Records would face a minimum 15 years in prison and could face life behind bars.
Combs is being tried in Manhattan federal court. He has since September been held in a Brooklyn jail when not in court.
A lawyer for Combs said Ventura's cross-examination may take two days. Defense lawyers have signaled they will ask Ventura about her own alleged history of domestic violence, and whether a desire for money motivated her to get back at Combs.
Ventura, married to personal trainer Alex Fine since 2019 and pregnant with her third child, has already spent 1-1/2 days answering questions from a prosecutor.
She has told jurors that Combs coerced and blackmailed her throughout their 11-year relationship into days-long, drug-fueled sexual performances he called “Freak Offs.” Their relationship ended in 2018.
Part of Combs' criminal case stems from Ventura's November 2023 civil lawsuit against him. She testified that he agreed after 24 hours to settle for $20 million.
Asked on Wednesday why she decided to testify against Combs, Ventura said she could no longer bear the emotional burden of years of his physical and emotional abuse.
"I can't carry this anymore," Ventura said. "I can't carry the shame, the guilt, the way he treated people like they were disposable. What's right is right, what's wrong is wrong. I came here to do the right thing."
Also known during his career as Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, Combs founded Bad Boy Records and is credited with helping turn artists like Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Notorious B.I.G. and Usher into stars in the 1990s and 2000s.
Combs also faces dozens of civil lawsuits by women and men who accuse him of sexual abuse. He has denied wrongdoing and said his relationships were consensual.
The criminal trial could take up to two months.
