Singer Dawn Richard took to the stand on Friday afternoon as a key witness in the ongoing sex trafficking trial against Sean “Diddy” Combs, following the week-long testimony of fellow singer Cassie. Prosecutors accuse Combs of leveraging his celebrity status and wealth to form an organization in which women were coerced into participating in abusive sex parties. His defense team counters with the claim that all acts were consensual and that Combs never engaged in activities that could be classified as sex trafficking or racketeering.
Prosecution efforts, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey, are expected to continue over the next six weeks, with the next testimony coming from Cassie’s long-time friend Kerry Morgan. The defense has yet to announce the duration it requires to present its side. During Friday’s session, Marc Agnifilo, Combs’ lawyer, described Richard’s testimony as a significant moment, highlighting prior ambiguity about her recounting of an alleged violent incident involving a frying pan, which Cassie did not mention in her earlier testimony.
According to Richard’s testimony, an incident in 2009 involved Combs attempting to physically attack Cassie with a skillet, followed by repeated punching and kicking while she was on the ground. Richard claimed that watching this incident unfold left her scared, influencing her reluctance to intervene or call the police due to the unprecedented nature of such violence. She recalled Combs attempting to explain away the incident as a moment of passionate intensity between lovers, cautioning her against speaking out.
Friday also saw continued proceedings with Special Agent Yasin Binda, involved in Combs’ arrest, taking the stand. Meanwhile, Cassie has refrained from speculation on her possible return to the entertainment industry, choosing to focus on her family and impending childbirth. Her husband, Alex Fine, expressed pride in Cassie’s strength and spirit during this trial, refuting any notion that Combs dismayed her.
Cassie issued her own statement reflecting on the emotional yet empowering impact of the trial on her life, hoping her testimony offers support and encouragement to other survivors. Her legal team concluded her testimony with the revelation of a multimillion-dollar settlement expected from a hotel where she reportedly suffered assault at Combs’ hands in 2016.
Estevao, Combs’ attorney, highlighted Cassie’s public acknowledgment of domestic violence on her social media, attempting to differentiate between domestic abuse and the more severe charges faced by Combs, such as sex trafficking and racketeering. The defense also pushed back against Cassie’s allegations of rape, suggesting inconsistencies with her earlier accounts and previous consensual interactions with Combs.
Cassie’s testimony also reviewed the tumultuous nature of her relationship with Combs, emphasizing feelings of worthlessness and safety concerns during their “freak-off” parties. Despite maintaining communication post-breakup, significant dissonance exists between her past sentiments and the present charges against Combs.
Prosecutors have accused the defense of employing stall tactics, suspecting efforts to prolong Cassie’s cross-examination, potentially extending her on-stand duration until after the weekend. The possibility of her going into labor before recommencing testimonies next week poses a risk of a mistrial.
As the trial progresses, evidence mounts against Combs, framed within charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. He adamantly denies all allegations. This legal battle unfolds with testimonies painting a complex narrative of power, influence, and subjugation interwoven with the nuances of relationships in the celebrity world.