Pregnant Cassie Ventura Testifies Against Diddy as Shocking Abuse Claims Rock Courtroom

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Cassie Ventura is taking the stand against ex Sean “Diddy” Combs.

The singer known for “Me & U” (a song), who is a mother of two daughters, Frankie aged 5 and Sunny aged 3, and is expecting her third child with husband Alex Fine, attended court on May 13 to provide testimony in the rapper’s sex trafficking case.

For more than ten years, Combs and Ventura had an on-and-off relationship that eventually ended in 2018. In November 2023, just days after she accused the music tycoon of sexual misconduct, battery, human trafficking, and creating a hostile work environment in a court case, they reached a private agreement regarding the sum involved. Combs has refuted the accusations from the civil lawsuit.

Several months into their cohabitation, a 2016 video emerged showing the music executive physically attacking Ventura. The footage broadcasted by CNN depicted Combs pursuing Ventura through a hotel corridor, where he was seen kicking and attempting to grasp her.

After the video was released, Ventura shared “The Boys” singers shared a message of gratitude.

In a May 2024 Instagram post, Ventura expressed gratitude for the affection and encouragement from family, friends, acquaintances, and even those he hasn’t met yet. The wave of love has provided a sanctuary for my inner child to feel secure now, but this is just the start.

Domestic violence is a significant challenge that I faced,” she explained. “It transformed me into someone I hadn’t envisioned myself as. Through dedication and effort, I’ve improved, but my past will always have an impact on my recovery.

Before the commencement of the trial on May 12, Judge Arun Subramanian, who is presiding over Combs’ trial, verified that the video would be admitted as evidence in court, finding it to be a “fair and truthful” portrayal of the events that transpired that night, according to NBC News.

The opening statements commenced a day before Ventura testified, and during this time, prosecutor Emily Johnson discussed her relationship with him. She mentioned an occasion when the defendant was actively seeking out the singer after learning about her new relationship.

According to NBC News, Johnson allegedly stated that when he eventually located her, he viciously assaulted her. This is said to have involved kicking her repeatedly in the back and carelessly tossing her about, as if she were nothing more than a discarded toy.

Johnson spoke up in court, emphasizing that it was crucial for Combs to regain custody over Cassie once more.

She stated that he had warned her, saying if she disobeyed him once more, he would publish a video showing her engaging in intimate acts with male escorts, which she described as reminders of the most embarrassing moments of her past.

Throughout the court proceedings, the family of Combs has consistently stood by him, expressing their unwavering support. Specifically, his mother Janice Combs and his children have publicly declared his innocence, attending court with him on May 12 for the final selection of the jury and the start of the trial.

Natalie G. Figgers conveyed her feelings to The Hollywood Reporter on October 6, stating that it’s deeply saddening to watch her son being judged based on falsehoods rather than the truth. Witnessing what appears to be a public execution of my son before he gets his chance to demonstrate his innocence is an agony hard to express in words. Just like any other person, my son deserves a fair trial where he can present his side and clear his name.

For all of the details on Combs’ legal trouble, keep reading.

As a loyal follower narrating this tale, I’d put it like this: In September, I found myself facing allegations that included racketeering, forced sex trafficking, fraudulent or coercive practices, and facilitating prostitution. During my March arraignment, I pleaded not guilty to charges outlined in a second revised indictment. Subsequently, in the following month, I was accused of two additional counts of sex trafficking and facilitation of prostitution.

During the process of selecting jurors, which started on May 5th, potential jurors were presented with a long list of possible names and locations that might come up during the trial. This list included individuals such as Michael B. Jordan, Mike Myers, and Kanye West. These individuals are not connected to the case but were shown to determine if the jurors could be impartial throughout the trial, according to NBC News.

The list additionally featured Ventura, a former member of Danity Kane, specifically Dawn Richard, due to legal actions they filed alleging the rapper for instances of sexual misconduct.

During the entire course of the trial, the family of Combs has consistently demonstrated their unwavering support. Specifically, his mother, Janice Combs, and his children have publicly expressed their belief in his innocence. They were present with him on May 12 for the last round of jury selections as well as the start of the trial itself.

Natalie G. Figgers expressed her sorrow in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter on October 6, saying it’s devastating to watch her son face judgment based on falsehoods rather than truth. She feels like he is being subjected to a public execution before he can defend himself and clear his name. Just as every individual deserves, her son wants the chance to have his day in court, to share his version of events, and to demonstrate his innocence.

For all of the details on Combs’ legal trouble, keep reading.

In one instance when Cassie Ventura didn’t immediately respond to Sean “Diddy” Combs’ call, as I personally testified, he angrily hurled a bottle of liquor towards her and aggressively grabbed her by the hair, pulling her into the bedroom. According to me, she was screaming in distress, and from where I was in the next room, it sounded like he was striking her. I also heard him say, “I called you here, you come here now, not later.

Phillip said he was “terrified” and did not intervene.

He additionally declared that he picked up sounds suggesting that Combs was physically abusing Cassie in another instance, this time at the Essex House hotel in New York. “I could hear her saying ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry,’ there were slapping and banging noises coming from the room,” Philip stated. “Peeking around the corner, I observed Mr. Combs exiting the hotel completely, he may have had a towel wrapped around him.

Cassie exited the room and leapt onto Philip’s lap, as he stated in his testimony. He went on to say that she was trying to assure him that “everything is fine” and “I will be alright.” However, Philip responded, “This isn’t okay and you need professional help.

“I tried to explain to her that she was in real danger if she stayed with him,” Phillip said.

Speaking from personal experience, under questioning by Maureen Comey, I found myself in a precarious position. I viewed Combs not just as an individual, but as a figure with seemingly boundless influence. In my heartfelt belief, if I had reached out to the authorities, there was still a possibility that my life could have been forfeit.

Daniel Philip claimed he was earning money for performing as a male stripper, but during the specific period under investigation, he testified that he received “a few thousand dollars” in exchange for intimate acts with Cassie while Diddy (Sean Combs) observed at Manhattan’s Gramercy Hotel in 2012. Philip identified Combs by his voice despite him wearing a robe, a baseball cap, and a mask concealing his face.

Cassie promised to give him a tip upon her departure, and that’s what she said to him, according to Philip’s testimony. Later on, they had sexual intercourse. At one point, they rubbed baby oil on each other for a few minutes. It is important to note that while Cassie was engaged in the activity, Phillip stated that Combs was found sitting in a corner, pleasuring himself.

Afterward, the witness continued, Cassie gave him “a couple of thousand more.”

Philip mentioned that he received repeated contacts over the course of a year for similar experiences with Cassie and Combs at various hotels as well as their homes in New York. He stated that Combs videotaped him and Cassie during one or two intimate moments, and on some occasions, Combs would step in and engage in sexual activities with Cassie while Philip was present.

In the 2023 legal action she filed against her former partner for claims of sexual assault and domestic violence, Cassie asserted that Combs compelled her into having relations with male escorts.

Cassie appeared frightened, according to Florez’s testimony. She huddled in the corner, with her hood up and herself concealed. Her face wasn’t visible, and she seemed to be hiding in the corner. A shattered flower vase lay on the floor nearby.

After Cassie departed from the hotel, Florez stated that she had a noticeable purple eye. Following her exit, Florez and the desk manager ascended to Combs’ room to discuss the hotel regulations. According to Florez, Combs suspected the manager was secretly recording him on his phone, and when he tried to take it, he attempted to seize his device. Florez continued that in this scenario, he restrained Combs against a wall. “We informed him we were not recording him,” Florez testified, “and diffused the situation.

In court, the prosecution played back the surveillance video of the incident, which had been slowed down compared to the version aired by CNN in May 2024. Previously, the defense claimed that the original footage was sped up, making the altercation appear more violent than it actually was. Additionally, the jury watched a video that Florez recorded on his phone during a distress call he responded to on the sixth floor.

Florez stated that he didn’t contact the police immediately as Cassie refused to discuss the incident and simply wanted to depart.

Police Officer Israel Florez, stationed in Los Angeles, served as a security guard at the InterContinental Hotel during the time when Diddy (Sean Combs) allegedly assaulted Cassie on March 5, 2016. In her initial statement, Geragos referred to the surveillance footage of the incident, initially made public by CNN in May 2024, as “compelling evidence of domestic violence,” emphasizing it was more about infidelity uncovered through a cell phone rather than sex trafficking.

On the fateful day in question, I couldn’t help but bear witness to a heated confrontation unfolding before my very eyes. Later that day, the legendary figure himself, Combs, extended a mysterious sack of currency my way, enticing me to turn a blind eye to what I had seen.

In response to questioning, Florez asserted that he was completely certain that Combs was attempting to offer him a bribe when he made that specific gesture.

In her initial remarks, the defense lawyer Teny Geragos argued that the prosecution was attempting to reclassify consensual sexual acts as instances of sex trafficking. However, he expressed his belief that their strategy would ultimately fail.

“Sean Combs is a complicated man,” she said, “but this is not a complicated case.”

In this situation, the discussion revolves around the private, intimate aspects of Sean Combs’ personal life, which holds no relevance to his legitimate business endeavors.

She informed the court that her client exhibited aggressive behavior, used illicit substances, and struggled with anger management issues. During this trial, there may be instances where you might find him unpleasant or rude. However, it’s important to note that he is not standing trial for being rude or unpleasant; his charges do not include such behavior.

Geragos expressed, “The proof presented will reveal an imperfect person, yet it won’t demonstrate a racketeer, a sex trafficker, or someone involved in the transportation of prostitution.

Courtroom reporters from NBC News reported that Prosecutor Emily Johnson alleged Combs orchestrated an extensive web of employees to perform unlawful activities, including prolonged “freak offs,” as outlined in the federal indictment.

Occasionally, he’d refer to himself as a king and demanded special treatment to fulfill his every whim, as she explained to the court. Through his businesses, he coerced women into sexual encounters with male escorts while he looked on. He and his close associates ensured that all his wishes were granted.

Johnson kicked off her case before the jury, painting Combs as an extraordinarily impactful figure who oversaw a criminal organization.

Emphasizing an instance of his suspected wrongdoing, Johnson informed the jury that Sean Combs, the founder of Bad Boys Record, was “stalking” Cassie Ventura on a particular night following his discovery that she had started a new romantic relationship with someone else. Johnson claimed that Combs had physically assaulted her, kicking her in the back and tossing her around carelessly, similar to a rag doll.

He made a threat and warned her that if she disobeys him once more, he would expose videos of her involved in intimate acts with male escorts, effectively unveiling her most embarrassing moments.

The prosecutor alleged that Combs’ inner circle covered up “crime after crime.”

The leading judge, Arun Subramanian, expressed his belief to the jury that the trial might finish as early as July 4th. He added that he hopes the proceedings will end by this date; however, he mentioned that it may take longer, but he doesn’t anticipate that happening.

On the opening day of the rap tycoon’s sex trafficking trial on May 12, his mother, Janice Combs, and six of his oldest children were in attendance with him.

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 – had the opportunity to embrace their father before he met with his lawyers.

In the trial, both the prosecution and Drew Brees’ legal team consented to having an equal number of eight male and four female jurors, along with four male and two female alternates.

Marc Agnifilo, representing Combs, contended that the prosecution seemed to be deliberately excluding prospective Black jurors. He pointed out this trend to the judge, suggesting that justifications for these exclusions were necessary.

On the contrary, Prosecutor Maurene Ryan Comey refuted the allegations, stating, “We’ve acted impartially throughout the process. Our jury is multiracial, featuring several non-white members.

This group of 12 jurors, based in New York City or Westchester, consists of diverse professionals. Among them are an elderly actor and masseur, a young investment analyst, a middle-aged scientist, a female deli clerk, a nursing home aide, a communications clerk at a correctional facility, a retired banker, another retiree from the telecommunications sector, a physician assistant, a social worker, a logistics analyst, and a treatment coordinator.

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2025-05-13 18:18