Content warning: This article details allegations of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Cassie Ventura is recalling a difficult period from her past while giving testimony against her former partner, Sean “Diddy” Combs.
During the third day of the trial regarding allegations of sex trafficking against the music executive, the artist known as “Me & You” described an instance where she claimed he had forced himself upon her at the culmination of their ten-year relationship in 2018.
As Ventura shares, at that point in time, there were whispers about Combs being involved with another woman. Meanwhile, she began a relationship with her current husband, Alex Fine.
She reminisced about her conversation with Combs, which took place in a winding-down manner. Later that evening, they dined at a restaurant in Malibu, as reported by NBC News on May 14. He was quite pleasant, full of playfulness, laughter, and exuding romantic feelings. The night concluded with him taking her home.
However, Ventura said the mood shifted as soon as she entered her apartment.
In my own words, I’d rephrase it like this: “I retreated indoors, only for him to intrude, a horrifying act of sexual violence unfolding on the living room carpet beneath us. The memory still haunts me – the tears streaming down my face, the pleas for him to stop echoing in the silence, the terrifying transformation in his eyes from familiar to alien. It all happened so swiftly.
In November 2023, Cassie brought forth her claim of rape against Combs, alleging physical and sexual abuse during their relationship in a court case. However, Combs refuted the rape accusation and resolved the lawsuit with Ventura, a fact his legal team emphasized did not signify an admission of guilt on his part.
During my May 14 testimony, I stated that Combs consented to a $20 million settlement. To the jury, I emphasized, “I wish to be remunerated for the time and the anguish I’ve experienced.
During her testimony, she described in detail the consequences of an incident from 2016 at a Los Angeles hotel, which was captured on camera and broadcast by CNN in May 2024. She claimed that following this attack, the rapper, Combs, visited her apartment, where he was seen kicking, shouting, and pounding on her door.
P Diddy, also known as Combs, is under accusations for offenses such as sex trafficking, racketeering, and arranging transportation for prostitution – charges he has denied. Regarding the rape allegation made by Ventura, he has maintained his innocence, though he admitted to the incident caught on camera in a hotel.
In a statement made in May 2024, he expressed that the actions shown on the video were unforgivable. He admitted feeling repulsed when he carried them out, and still feels the same way now. He sought professional help, attending therapy and rehab, and asked for God’s forgiveness. He extends his sincerest apologies.
For more details on Combs’ trial, keep reading.
Sean Combs (also known as Puff Daddy or Diddy) is under investigation for accusations involving sex trafficking, racketeering, and arranging prostitution—charges that he has denied. He’s also been denying allegations of rape made by Kristinia Kelley Ventura, although he admitted to being responsible for the events shown in a hotel video.
In a heartfelt declaration made public in May 2024, I acknowledge my reprehensible actions portrayed in the video. At that time, I was horrified by my own behavior, and I am equally appalled now. I took the necessary steps to seek professional help, undergoing therapy and rehabilitation. I humbly asked for God’s mercy and grace, and I deeply regret my actions. Truly, I am sorry.
For more details on Combs’ trial, keep reading.
Cassie Ventura declared on May 14 that she received a $20 million settlement from her former boyfriend, Sean “Diddy” Combs, following a lawsuit she filed against him in November 2023. The lawsuit claimed he had sexually assaulted and physically abused her throughout their relationship.
Testifying about an incident in 2018, Ventura claimed that after enjoying a pleasant dinner with Combs at a Malibu restaurant and finding him very amiable, he subsequently went to her apartment where he allegedly sexually assaulted her. Notably, she was in a relationship with Alex Fine at the time, whom she later married in 2019.
She testified that I entered the house, assaulted her on the living room carpet, and she called it rape. All I can recall is sobbing and pleading for him to stop, but it happened quickly. His eyes seemed unfamiliar, almost as if a stranger had taken control of his body.
Combs’ lawyers have consistently stated that he never partook in any form of sexual activity without consent, and that the individuals accusing him of sexual misconduct willingly took part in any sexual encounters.
Ventura stated that she had consensual sexual encounters with Combs on another occasion following the alleged assault. When questioned about her decision to engage in sex with him again, she explained, “You can’t simply switch off feelings like that. I still held a positive image of who he was as an individual.
At the close of 2011, Ventura decided to part ways with Kid Cudi (also known as Scott Mescudi), due to the fact that, according to her testimony, Diddy (Combs) allegedly made a threat concerning Scott’s vehicle, stating it would be destroyed.
Ventura informed the court that there was excessive risk and an unpredictable outcome should they continue their meetings together. Sean threatened that he would cause harm to both of them.
Ventura explained to the court that the situation was too dangerous and uncertain, as they might face unknown consequences if they kept meeting each other. Sean warned that he intended to harm us both.
Departures from Ventura led to instances of urinary tract infections, oral ulcers, and digestive problems, as she stated on May 14.
During those continuous, intense face-offs, one after another, I even had a face-off when I was battling an infection,” I testified in court on my second day. “I attempted to wash it away with water. Eventually, even the antibiotic CIPRO became ineffective. It turned into a chaotic situation.
She continued, “It was really painful for a long time. I can’t believe I actually dealt with that.”
In the court-presented text exchange between Ventura and Combs, it was mentioned that Ventura had ulcers on her tongue. His response was, “I’m sorry.
On the second consecutive day of her testimony, Cassie Ventura described in detail the harrowing 2016 hotel assault that was later broadcast by CNN in May 2024, as captured on security cameras.
She stated that Sean “Diddy” Combs became angry and hurled a vase at her when she tried to depart from the Intercontinental Hotel before any physical altercation ensued.
On the witness stand on May 14, Ventura recalled, “It seemed to be moving towards me, and it struck the wall. I wasn’t hit. He was shouting at me, though I don’t specifically recall his words. I believe he was using a term other than my name.
However, she said that Combs told her “that I wasn’t going to leave him, that I couldn’t.”
Just moments after the hotel incident, Ventura revealed that she attended the premiere of her movie “The Perfect Match” sporting bruises on her face and body together with Combs. To mask her black eye and swollen lip, she had to apply heavy makeup. Additionally, she mentioned having multiple bruises on her legs, so she opted for a different outfit for the event.
On May 13th, Cassie Ventura declared that Sean “Diddy” Combs physically assaulted her in a Los Angeles hotel corridor back in March 2016 due to his anger over her leaving a “private moment.” (Security camera footage of the incident was made public by CNN in 2024. The defense failed to prevent this video from being presented as evidence.)
Ventura explained to the court that he made a decision to depart. After exiting, Sean pursued him down the hallway and forcefully seized him, causing him to fall, kick him, and drag him back to the room where he then collected his belongings.
She initially didn’t wish to take part, as she had a film premiere scheduled a few days ahead, and she wanted to keep Combs content. In her words, “If I could appease him by performing exceptionally well,” Ventura said, “then my event would proceed without any hitches.
In that harrowing situation, all I could focus on was escaping unscathed, prioritizing my upcoming debut above everything else. I didn’t wish for any complications. As soon as he shoved me into the hallway, I found myself lying there, not daring to move for fear of further harm. He had already caused enough damage, and I didn’t want to provoke him any more.
Testifying under oath, Ventura admitted to consuming alcohol and using ecstasy during her initial sexual encounter with an escort in Combs’ presence. To endure what she referred to as “freak offs,” she stated that she would often use marijuana, ketamine, mushrooms, or any drug that was popular at the time.
“I couldn’t imagine myself doing any of that without having some sort of buffer,” she said.
At times, she would become violently sick during an intense argument, as Ventura explained, and Combs would urge me to carry on despite the discomfort.
She expressed to Combs that the insensitive remarks left her feeling deeply unhappy and unworthy, Ventura explained, yet he seemed to disregard her worries.
Following an unusual incident, the hotel room was found covered in baby oil, according to Ventura’s testimony. If Combs had ordered someone to wet the bed, there might also have been urine stains on the sheets. Moreover, if she was on her period at that time, Ventura stated, there could potentially be bloodstains not only on the sheets but also on the furniture.
According to Ventura, being urinated on left her feeling deeply embarrassed. She expressed that the act was vile and overwhelming. She struggled, didn’t want to be in that situation, and found it difficult to extricate herself from it.
According to Ventura, he found it appealing, which is why it transpired. When Emily A. Johnson, the prosecutor, asked her about not resisting Combs’ instructions in those instances, she explained, “I believed it was clear that I didn’t want to comply.
On May 13, Ventura stated that Combs instructed her and the other “freak off” participants to apply baby oil onto their bodies.
In court, she stated, “Sean required it to be both hot and shiny, so we’d reapply it every five minutes.
At the Montage Beverly Hills, during a surprising incident, Ventura recounted that Combs had invited her to step into a pool filled with baby oil, all while she was still dressed in clothing.
She wasn’t keen on it, but if it was something Combs “was determined to occur,” she emphasized, “That’s exactly what transpired.” “We employed a total of ten standard-sized baby oil bottles,” she added.
Ventura revealed to prosecutors on May 13 that during the initial phase of her 10-year relationship with Combs, he suggested incorporating voyeurism into their intimate activities. This started by her arranging for an escort and setting up a scenario where she would perform for Combs, who would observe her with another person.
Over time, performing sex acts that Combs referred to as “freak offs” became a regular occupation for her, lasting anything between 36 hours and four days.
She remembered, “I arranged for it to happen in our hotel room, and so on, at first, Sean had set everything up.
Ventura said that her “stomach churned” when he first proposed the experience.
She admitted she didn’t initially understand why it would be appealing, but she took on the task. Her feelings were a mix of confusion, anxiety, yet profound love for him and a desire to bring joy into his life. It wasn’t something she enthusiastically sought out, particularly not as frequently as it eventually became, but her love for him overruled these reservations.
She admitted, “At some point, I felt I didn’t have much of a choice.”
In their on-again, off-again relationship from 2007 to 2018, Ventura claimed that Combs often exhibited violent behavior towards her.
She told the court that their disagreements were often intense and led to physical harm. He would forcefully hit my head, push me down, drag me across the floor, and kick me.
She mentioned that her wounds were frequently noticeable, explaining, “I’d develop knots on my forehead, have black and red eyes, and sport bruises covering my entire body.
On May 13, it was planned for Ventura to testify following Daniel Philip, a male escort. Combs’ legal team asked that she be allowed to sit in the witness stand prior to the jury’s entrance as she is eight months pregnant.
Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo stated to the judge, “I believe there’s a biased aspect,” suggesting that pregnancy carries an inherent appeal or emotional response, making it a significant factor in some cases.
It’s clear that Ventura was summoned once the jury had already been selected, signifying that his legal team’s motion was denied earlier.
On one particular instance when Ventura didn’t promptly respond to Combs’ call, as testified on May 12th, I, being an eyewitness, attested that Combs became enraged. He hurled a liquor bottle in her vicinity, then forcefully grabbed her by the hair and dragged her into the bedroom. The screams that echoed were chilling, and from where I stood in the next room, it sounded like he was slapping her. His words were clear: “I told you to come here, you come here now, not later.” Such behavior from someone I idolize left me shocked and disheartened.
Phillip said he was “terrified” and did not intervene.
He also stated under oath that he caught snippets of what appeared to be Combs physically attacking Ventura in another incident at the Essex House hotel in New York. “I heard her saying sorry repeatedly, there were sounds of someone being struck and shoved around inside the room,” Philip explained. “Peeking around the corner, I saw Mr. Combs exit the hotel without any clothes, he may have had a towel wrapped around him.
Ventura exited the room and landed on Philip’s lap, as he stated. “She essentially attempted to reassure me that ‘everything will be fine’ and ‘I’ll manage,'” Philip added. “And I replied, ‘This is not acceptable and you require assistance.’
“I tried to explain to her that she was in real danger if she stayed with him,” Phillip said.
In response to a question from prosecutor Maureen Comey, Philip stated that he chose not to call the police because he viewed Combs as an individual with immense influence. He suggested that even if he had contacted authorities, there was still a possibility that his own life might have been in danger.
Daniel Philip, who claimed he was managing a male strip show performance back then, stated under oath that he received several thousand dollars to engage in intimate activities with Ventura, while Sean Combs observed at Manhattan’s Gramercy Hotel in 2012. Philip identified Combs by his voice despite the fact that he was wearing a robe, a baseball cap, and a bandanna concealing his face.
In court, Philip stated that Ventura had promised to tip him upon departure and later added, “I’ll give you a tip when you leave.” The situation evolved, leading to an intimate encounter between them. They playfully applied baby oil on each other for a short while. Meanwhile, Combs was observed in a corner engaging in self-pleasure.
Afterward, the witness continued, Ventura gave him “a couple of thousand more.”
Over the following year, Philip claimed he was reached out to on several occasions for more encounters, not just with Ventura but also with Combs. These meetings took place at various hotels and their homes in New York. He asserted that Combs filmed him and Ventura during one or two of these intimate moments, and occasionally, Combs would join in and have sex with Ventura while Philip was present.
As a devoted supporter, I find myself recounting an incident from 2023 where in my legal action against my former partner, I claimed that he coerced me into engaging in sexual acts with male escorts, which was part of the broader allegations of sexual assault and physical abuse.
According to Florez’s testimony, Ventura appeared frightened. She was huddled in the corner, with her hood up and covering herself. Her face wasn’t visible to him, and she seemed to be hiding in the corner. Nearby, there was a shattered flower vase on the floor.
After Ventura departed from the hotel, Florez mentioned that she had a noticeable purple eye. Later on, when she was no longer there, Florez stated that he and the desk manager went up to the room to remind Combs about the “hotel regulations.” According to Florez, Combs assumed the manager was recording him with his phone and attempted to seize it. In response, Combs tried to grab Florez’s phone as well, Florez explained, leading him to pin Combs against a wall. Florez testified that they stated they were not recording him and de-escalated the situation at that point.
In court, the prosecution played back a slowed-down version of the surveillance footage from May 2024 that originally aired on CNN, which depicted Combs seemingly striking, kicking, and pulling Ventura. Earlier, the defense had argued that this clip was sped up, making the altercation seem more intense than it actually was. The jury also watched a video taken by Florez on his phone when he responded to an emergency call for help on the sixth floor.
According to Florez, Ventura refused to answer questions regarding the incident and instead expressed her desire to depart immediately. As a result, Florez chose not to contact the authorities at that moment.
Police Officer Israel Florez, based in Los Angeles, previously served as a security guard at the InterContinental Hotel. It was during this time that Combs allegedly assaulted Ventura on March 5, 2016. During her opening statement, Geragos referred to the surveillance footage of the attack (initially released by CNN in May 2024) as “strong evidence of domestic violence.” However, he clarified that this wasn’t related to charges of sex trafficking but rather infidelity discovered on a cell phone.
On the 12th of May, I testified that I witnessed what seemed like a scuffle on the day under investigation. Subsequently, Combs presented me with a pile of cash, attempting to persuade me to turn a blind eye to the incident.
During questioning, Florez stated that he was absolutely certain the gesture was intended by Combs as an attempt at bribery.
In her initial remarks, defense lawyer Teny Geragos expressed that the prosecution was attempting to transform what appeared to be consensual sexual activity into a case of sex trafficking. However, she asserted confidently that this strategy would ultimately fail.
“Sean Combs is a complicated man,” she said, “but this is not a complicated case.”
Geragos stated that the matter at hand concerns Sean Combs’ private, intimate sexual activities. However, these issues are unrelated to his legitimate business dealings.
In her testimony to the court, she stated that her client exhibited aggressive behavior, used illicit substances, and had temper issues. During this trial, you might find him unpleasant or rude, but it’s important to remember that he isn’t on trial for his rudeness or unlikability. He is only being tried for the specific charges against him.
Geragos stated, “The evidence will reveal an imperfect person, yet it won’t depict them as a racketeer, a sex trafficker, or someone involved in transporting for prostitution.
In court, prosecutor Emily Johnson claimed that Combs allegedly employed a wide-reaching team to execute illicit activities, including prolonged “freak offs.” This was reportedly outlined in the federal indictment by journalists from NBC News who were present in the courtroom.
As a devoted admirer, I’d share that he had this habit of referring to himself as royalty, demanding treatment befitting a king. In private, he misused his business empire to exert control over women, compelling them into intimate situations with male escorts while he observed. He and his close-knit circle ensured his every whim was fulfilled.
Johnson kicked off her argument to the jury, painting Combs as an extraordinary figure who oversaw a criminal organization.
In an attempt to prove his accusations, Johnson told the jury that night after learning about Ventura’s new romance, Combs was actively seeking her out, as if she were a target. Johnson claimed that Combs violently assaulted Ventura, kicking her in the back and tossing her around carelessly when he found her, leaving her severely bruised.
He made a threat against her, telling her that if she disobeys him once more, he would publish videos showing her engaging in intimate acts with male escorts, effectively revealing some of her most embarrassing moments,” she went on.
The prosecutor alleged that Combs’ inner circle covered up “crime after crime.”
The leading judge, Arun Subramanian, expressed his expectation to the jury that the ongoing trial might wrap up by the 4th of July. He voiced his hope that it would indeed end by this date, yet acknowledged that it could stretch beyond, but he does not foresee such an extension.
On the opening day of his sex trafficking trial on May 12, his mother, Janice Combs, and six of his older children were by his side.
Quincy Brown, Christian “King” Combs, Jessie Combs, D’Lila Combs (Kim Porter’s kids), Justin Combs (Misa Hylton’s son), and Chance Combs (Sarah Chapman’s daughter) – all of whom are his children from different relationships – had the opportunity to embrace their father before he met with his lawyers.
Both the prosecution and Chris Combs’ legal team consented to having an 8-member jury comprised of 4 men and 4 women, along with 4 male and 2 female alternates, for the duration of the trial.
Marc Agnifilo, representing Combs, contended that the prosecution seemed to be purposefully excluding potential Black jurors. He expressed this concern to the judge, stating that such actions could point towards a pattern, and urged them to provide justification for these dismissals.
In response to the allegations, Prosecutor Maurene Ryan Comey stated, “We’ve acted impartially throughout this process, and our jury is multiracial with several non-white members.
I’m utterly captivated by this diverse group hailing from New York City and Westchester! They come from all walks of life, each with their unique backgrounds that make them fascinating:
1. A 69-year-old male actor and masseur, who has probably lived a life full of stories.
2. A 31-year-old male investment analyst, managing other people’s money like a pro.
3. A 51-year-old male scientist, whose mind is always buzzing with ideas.
4. A 30-year-old female deli clerk, keeping the community fed and happy.
5. A 42-year-old female nursing home aide, providing comfort and care to those who need it most.
6. A 41-year-old male communications clerk at a correctional facility, ensuring clear communication in challenging circumstances.
7. Two retirees, both 68 years old: one was a banker, managing financial resources, and the other worked for a telecommunications company, keeping connections strong.
8. A 43-year-old female physician assistant, working tirelessly to help patients on their road to recovery.
9. A 39-year-old male social worker, dedicating his time to helping those in need find their way.
10. A 67-year-old male logistics analyst, ensuring goods and resources move smoothly from point A to B.
11. And lastly, a 74-year-old female treatment coordinator, working diligently to provide care and support during critical times.
I can’t wait to see how their diverse experiences and perspectives will influence the outcome of this important case!
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