Cassie Ventura is set to be quizzed by defence lawyers again as Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ trial continues. The disgraced rapper, 55, has been in court all week as he faces a number of charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution.
He was arrested in September and strongly denies all allegations made against him. Combs has been in prison since his arrest, with a number of bail requests rejected.
His former partner of 10 years, Cassie Ventura has been on the stand most of the week. Defence lawyers started their cross-examination of Cassie on Thursday and will continue on Friday.
Judge Arun Subramanian became frustrated at Combs’ legal team over the time they are taking to question Cassie, who is eight-months pregnant.
He insisted the defence should be given no more than a day and a half—the same amount of time the prosecution had. On Thursday, Cassie broke down in tears toward the end of her testimony.
Here, we are bringing you the live updates from the courtroom as the trial continues…
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Combs has appeared relaxed
During Thursday’s session, Combs appeared uber relaxed as his unearthed text messages with Cassie were read out to the jury.
Cassie feared Diddy’s ‘jealousy’ over fling
Cassie told the court about her past relationships yesterday as defense attorney Anna Estevao turns the conversation to Combs’ own jealousy.
She agreed that Combs could be more jealous than her and would lose his temper when he suspected she was seeing other men.
The court heard Cassie and Scott Mescudi, better known as Kid Cudi, briefly dated during a rough patch in her on-and-off relationship with Combs, which spanned from 2007 to 2018.
She said Combs learned of her romantic involvement with Mescudi in December 2011 when she said the relationship with Combs was strained and they were “on a break.”
She also revealed she had a “burner phone” to communicate with Kid Cudi. “I did not want him to find out,” Ventura told the court. “I thought it would be way too dangerous if he found out.”
“Because he would be insanely jealous?” Estevao asksed “Yes,” Cassie replied.
Britney Spears dragged into case
Pop star Britney Spears was mentioned in court yesterday. The jury were shown text messages between Combs and Cassie over the years.
These included messages about Freak Offs and threats allegedly made by Combs. Cassie testified that Diddy brought pop star Britney to her 21st birthday party in Las Vegas.
He also allegedly invited singer-songwriter Dallas Austin to the celebration. At the time, Cassie was already signed to Diddy’s record label, and she told the jury that their relationship had been strictly professional—until that night.
During the party, she said, Diddy kissed her, leaving her confused.
Cassie accused of being ‘insanely jealous’
On Thursday, Combs’ legal team spoke of his children.
Defense attorney Anna Estevao said Cassie was “upset” that she didn’t get to build a relationship with them. Cassie told the court: “It could be [heartbreaking],” when asked how it felt to see Combs with Kim Porter and their children.
She confirmed she wanted to be part of his family—not just, as Estevao put it, his “sexual fantasy.”
The defense brought up another woman Cassie previously said she discovered through social media, asking whether that woman was “the main problem” in her relationship with Combs. “Yes,” Ventura responded.
“You were concerned you were a side piece, that you were not the main girlfriend,” Estevao said. “You were insanely jealous.”
Diddy’s overdose
Cassie told the court that Combs noticed the negative effects her drug use was having on her and encouraged her to see a doctor. She also said there were moments when he expressed concern for her mental health.
In a striking revelation, she confirms that Combs himself suffered an overdose on opiate painkillers while at the Playboy Mansion in 2012.
Diddy’s whisper caught on mic
Combs’ comment to his lawyer was caught on a hot mic in court during his trial yesterday.
He told Anna Estevao he was “proud” of her work, a remark he appeared to understand would go unnoticed in the courtroom in New York City.
Cassie may return next week
Subramanian pointed out that both parties had previously agreed Cassie’s testimony would conclude by the end of the week, noting that she is currently pregnant and expecting her third child soon.
In response to the shifting schedule, the judge remarked: “That is the exact opposite of what I was told.”
What is happening today?
Cassie Ventura will take to the stand again as Combs’ defence team continue their cross-examination. They were warned by the judge to not take more than a day and a half—the same amount of time the prosecution had.
“In what universe did you not understand this is what was going to happen?” Judge Arun Subramanian asked. “You’re not telling me this was everyone’s understanding, that this witness was going to be done this week?”
