Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial day 5: what went down
Sean 'Diddy' Combs saw the wrapping up of the first week of his sex trafficking trial
Sean “Diddy” Combs saw the wrapping up of the first week of his sex trafficking trial, as the prosecution’s star witness, Casandra "Cassie" Ventura finished her testimony.
Taking the stand for the fourth day on May 16, she has made major allegations against the rapper, including a claim that he raped her in 2018.
Having been in a relationship for 11 years, she has stated that during that time he forced her to participate in his "Freak Offs" which included male sex workers.
Cassie further stated that he enforced extreme control over her life, and abused her throughout the relationship.
Her cross-examination took place on Thursday, with the defense insisting that her participation in the “Freak Offs” had been purely consensual.
Diddy has been charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution, having pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors further invited FBI Special Agent Yasin Binda and former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard to the stand.
Some key incidents:
Statement From Cassie’s Husband
After the emotionally heavy testimony as well as the brutal cross examination, Cassie’s husband, Alex Fine issues a statement which was read aloud outside of the court.
"Over the past five days, the world has gotten to witness the strength and bravery of my wife, freeing herself of her past," he wrote "There has been speculation online surrounding how it must feel for me to sit there and listen to my wife’s testimony."
"I have felt so many things sitting there. I have felt tremendous pride and overwhelming love for Cass," read the statement further. "I have felt profound anger that she has been subjected to sitting in front of a person who tried to break her.
Alex continued, "So, to him and all of those who helped him along the way, please know this: You did not. You did not break her spirit nor her smile that lights up every room. You did not break the souls of a mother who gives the best hugs and plays the silliest games with our little girls. You did not break the woman who has made me a better man.
"I did not save Cassie, as some have said. To say that is an insult to the years of painful work my wife has done to save herself. Cassie saved Cassie. She alone broke free from abuse, coercion, violence and threats. She did the work of fighting the demons that only a demon himself could have done to her.
"All I have done is love her as she has loved me. Her life is now surrounded by love, laughter and our family," it continued. "This horrific chapter is forever put behind us, and we will not be making additional statements. We appreciate all of the love and support we have received, and we ask that you respect our privacy as we welcome our son into a world that is now safer because of his mom.”
Having To Do “Freak Offs”
“I had to do 'Freak Offs',” insisted Cassie, saying that she had to put everything on hold for when he wanted to do them.
Having to spend the entire day preparing herself and arranging for escorts, she said that Diddy had her enter a world that she “didn’t know or understand at the time.”
Not Hating Diddy
“I don’t hate him,” Cassie responded after being asked about her feelings for him.
Defense attorney Anna Estevao questioned, “Do you still have love for him?”
“I have love for the past and what it was,” she replied.
Text After Assault
A text was shown four days after the assault that took place at the InterContinental Hotel in 2016, where Diddy wrote, "I'm so horny for you!!!"
"You are? What made you feel that way?," questioned Cassie.
"I felt that way from Friday. What you doing?," responded Diddy.
"Not a good vibe. We need a different vibe than Friday." Cassie replied.
Prosecutors Insist On Risk Of Mistrial
The prosecutors made an accusation against the defense that they were stretching the time it took to perform the cross-examination on Cassie, who is almost nine months pregnant.
If she went into labour, it would "risk a mistrial," which is what the defense is hoping for, according to the prosecutors.
"The inefficiency of cross-examination yesterday raises the inference that the defendant hopes to accomplish precisely that outcome," wrote the prosecutors.
