Cassie Ventura has stepped down from the witness stand, yet her presence loomed large as three witnesses took center stage with their testimonies on Monday during the federal criminal trial involving Sean "Diddy" Combs.
Pop star Dawn Richard, along with Ventura’s ex-best friend and one of Combs' previous aides, provided testimony regarding their experiences with Ventura as the prosecution aimed to strengthen Ventura’s testimony last week Combs allegedly subjected her to physical abuse and exerted control over her life for more than ten years.
The prosecutors claim that Combs and certain members of his close group employed intimidation, physical force, narcotics, graft, fire-setting, abduction, and deceit to pressure Ventura along with another female individual to take part in events he referred to as "Freak Offs," all while safeguarding the entertainment tycoon's public image.
On the contrary, the defense has maintained that Combs occasionally felt envious, struggled with addiction, and characterized his interaction with Ventura as one marked by mutual aggression rather than being part of a structured criminal organization. Additionally, they have claimed that the women involved gave their consent to the sexual encounters.
Combs has pleaded not guilty For participating in a racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and facilitating transportation for prostitution, she faces potential life imprisonment if found guilty of the most severe accusations.
This is what we gathered from the testimony on Monday.
Danity Kane vocalist 'often' witnessed mistreatment
Richard, who was once part of the music band Danity Kane, stated on Monday that she "often" witnessed Combs mistreating Ventura, mentioning that she had seen him hit, strangle, pull, smack, and kick her multiple times.
Following one such attack in 2009, Ventura opted to wear sunglasses as an attempt to conceal her injuries, according to Richard. In solidarity and to offer support, both Richard and her companion, singer Kaleena Harper, likewise donned shades during this time. This was done "to show camaraderie, to stand beside someone who needed backing," Richard stated under oath. The courtroom viewed a photograph depicting all three ladies wearing sunglasses post-attack.
Several members of Combs' security team saw the assault on Ventura, according to Richard’s testimony. However, when these incidents occurred, "no action was taken," as they chose not to intervene.
Defense challenges Richard's recollection and intentions.
During the cross-examination, Richard was questioned regarding her recollection of the attacks as well as her own motivations.
At the beginning of her statement on Friday afternoon, Richard testified She witnessed Combs attacking Ventura in 2009 inside the kitchen following her egg-cooking session. The subsequent day, Combs instructed Richard and an additional eyewitness to stay quiet, warning them "in his world, individuals vanish when they speak up," as per her testimony.
Nicole Westmoreland, Richard's defense lawyer, indicated that his description of events in the kitchen and what followed have evolved over time. In response, Richard asserted that he has shared these details based on his memory as accurately as possible.
Richard, who is 42 years old, joined Bad Boy Records and collaborated with Combs from 2004 to 2011 under two bands: Danity Kane and Diddy – Dirty Money. During her testimony, she expressed feeling "upset" about Combs' choice to disband these groups. She also mentioned that none of her subsequent releases have achieved similar levels of popularity. Richard revealed that she contacted Combs in 2020 hoping to collaborate once more.
Richard filed a lawsuit Last September, accusations of sexual battery, sexual harassment, and false imprisonment were made against Combs, along with several other claims. Combs denies these allegations.
Westmoreland questioned Richard about whether she had filed a lawsuit against Combs with the intention of obtaining substantial compensation. Richard refuted this idea but mentioned her desire to receive payment for the effort and labor she contributed.
Wearing a tan crewneck sweater with a white-collared shirt underneath and khaki trousers, Combs handed several Post-It notes to his lawyer while being cross-examined.
Ventura’s previous closest buddy claims Combs assaulted her using a wooden clothes hanger.
Kerry Morgan, who took the stand as the second witness on Monday, stated that she remained close friends with Ventura up until the time when she was attacked by Combs in 2018.
He approached from behind, grabbed my throat, and then threw a wooden clothes hanger towards my head," Morgan stated. "There were visible fingerprints on my neck.
Morgan stated that she had intended to file a lawsuit following the assault, though she never went through with it. A month afterward, she had a meeting with Ventura who informed her that she would receive $30,000 from Combs, as per Morgan’s account. Additionally, according to Morgan, Ventura suggested that she was overemphasizing the incident.
Morgan mentioned that she signed a non-disclosure agreement that day and hasn't communicated with Ventura since then. According to her, they had been best friends since 2001.
"The reason our communication ended is that she did not support me following that incident," Morgan stated during cross-examination.
Morgan stated that she is appearing as a witness because she received a subpoena and preferred not to appear in court. "I have moved forward with my life, distancing myself from everyone involved and their issues," she shared during her testimony.
During his cross-examination, Morgan stated that Ventura harbored jealousy towards Kim Porter, the deceased actress who had three children with Combs, as well as towards Combs' other partner, Gina.
The former friend clearly recalls experiencing two attacks.
Morgan additionally mentioned that she clearly recalled two instances where Combs attacked Ventura, stating that he was neither drunk nor high during those events.
During one of the attacks, Morgan requested assistance from one of Combs' bodyguards, but he said he wouldn't get involved, according to her testimony.
The additional attack happened in Jamaica approximately in 2013, when Combs grabbed Ventura by the hair and shoved her down, causing her head to strike the brick pathway, according to Morgan.
Morgan stated that Combs alleged Ventura was spending an excessive amount of time in the bathroom, after which he dragged her down the hall.
I heard Cassie shouting, so I rushed out into the hallway where she was," she explained, depicting the cries as "incoherent.
"He likely pulled her through about a 50-yard long corridor by her hair, and then led her outside to the front driveway where he forced her to fall, causing her head to collide with the bricks," she recounted.
Following the incident where she was shoved to the ground, Ventura ultimately rose and ran shoeless into a forested region. According to Morgan’s testimony, after finding her, they stayed hidden and huddled in a trench for an eternity-like duration.
Hotel assault aftermath
Morgan additionally provided more information about what happened after the event. A March 2016 attack at the InterContinental Hotel In Los Angeles, which has served as the primary visual evidence in the case. Wise released the first video of the incident last year.
Morgan mentioned that she was staying at Ventura’s place when he returned with a bruised eye.
Approximately 30 minutes afterward, Combs showed up, shouting and pounding on the door using a hammer, according to Morgan’s testimony. She stated that she was extremely distressed and contacted Combs' security detail and personal aide, praying they would make him cease his actions. As for Ventura, he simply remained seated on the couch, Morgan remembered, showing no reaction whatsoever.
"I don't believe she was concerned about him coming in and killing her," she stated during her testimony.
In time, Combs departed without gaining entry to the apartment. At some juncture, law enforcement showed up; however, according to Morgan, Ventura refused to work with the officers.
Witnesses claim Combs was in control of Ventura.
Morgan mentioned that she planned to inform Ventura about leaving Combs, but she decided she wouldn't be able to do so directly.
"Due to her work, her vehicle, and her residence — he had control over everything. She stood to lose all means of support," Morgan stated.
David James, who previously worked as an aide for Combs, was the third witness called that day and provided testimony similar to those before him, recounting a discussion he had with Ventura in Miami approximately in 2007.
"Wow, this way of life is really hectic," Ventura commented, as per James. He concurred and advised her to go ahead and leave.
"I can't, I can't escape," Ventura informed him, according to James. She further explained that Combs managed her music career, covered her rent, and provided her with an allowance, as stated in James' testimony.
"I simply never thought that she would walk away so effortlessly," James stated.
Ultimately, James referred to Kim Porter as Combs' "primary girlfriend" and mentioned another four women, labeling them as his "side girlfriends." According to James, at one point, when a business partner inquired about both Porter and Ventura, Combs stated that Porter was thriving and called her his "queen," as James recounted.
Combs subsequently characterized Ventura as "pliable" and stated, "She’s exactly where I wanted her; plus, she’s young," according to James's testimony.
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