In New York, the jury in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking lawsuit has finished hearing from 34 witnesses over the span of seven weeks. The witnesses range from his former partners to employees, all contributing to a case filled with allegations of abuse and coercion. The prosecution presented its case without any testimony from Combs himself, as he chose not to testify. His defense aimed to discredit the prosecution’s witnesses through cross-examination.
Among the witnesses, Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, shared a lengthy testimony about her relationship with Combs from 2007 to 2018. Signed under Combs’ Bad Boy Records, she accused him of physical abuse and coercion into engaging in “freak-offs” with other male sex workers. A significant piece of evidence, a 2016 security video from a Los Angeles hotel showing Combs physically assaulting Cassie, was highlighted repeatedly during the trial.
Another testimony came from a woman using the pseudonym Jane, who dated Combs from 2021 until his arrest. She recounted instances of pressure to engage in unwanted sexual encounters and physical assault, including a forced interaction with a sex worker. Jane stated that Combs threatened to release explicit videos unless she complied with his requests.
Rapper Kid Cudi testified about an incident in late 2011, recounting how his Porsche was firebombed after a confrontation with Combs about dating Cassie. Despite Combs’ denial of involvement, Cudi voiced his belief that the music mogul orchestrated the attack.
Daniel Phillip, an exotic dancer, provided details about his participation in “freak-offs,” where he performed sexual acts with Cassie under Combs’ supervision. He recounted witnessing violence during these encounters, leading him to cease involvement.
“The Punisher,” another dancer, shared his introduction to Combs through Cassie. He described a peculiar environment filled with baby oil, monetary exchanges, and realized Combs’ identity through a hotel message.
Capricorn Clark, a former Combs’ employee, accused him of attempting to involve her in a violent confrontation with Kid Cudi. She stated Combs threatened her life if she did not assure Kid Cudi of his innocence.
A witness using the pseudonym “Mia” described instances of sexual assault, including being forcibly kissed and raped by Combs. Though his defense challenged her claims, she maintained her stance, attributing any prior positive interactions with Combs to manipulation.
Bryana “Bana” Bongolan, Cassie’s friend, testified about a violent encounter where Combs allegedly harmed her during a dispute with Cassie. This accusation faced scrutiny by the defense due to inconsistencies regarding Combs’ whereabouts.
George Kaplan, who managed Combs’ parties, shared insights into the aftermath of his events, describing typical cleanup tasks. Despite witnessing a fight between Combs and Cassie, Kaplan expressed continued respect for Combs.
Personal assistant David James recounted long work hours, including obtaining distracting items for hotel encounters. He also shared incidents involving Combs’ aggressive confrontations, including one against industry rival Suge Knight.
Brendan Paul, another former assistant, mentioned handling drug purchases for Combs and losing his job after a drug-related arrest in Miami. He noted these substances originated from Combs’ possessions.
Celebrity stylist Deonte Nash’s testimony included details of observed abuse towards Cassie, despite maintaining contact with Combs post-employment. He revealed the frequent physical harm Cassie endured throughout their relationship.
Dawn Richard, a singer associated with Bad Boy Records, affirmed witnessing violent behavior from Combs towards Cassie. She claimed Combs threatened her to ensure silence, yet his defense argued her account had varied over time.
In conclusion, Combs’ legal team has questioned the consistency and motivations of many testimonies, challenging the credibility of witnesses who have brought serious allegations to light. As the jury deliberates, the defense maintains that past relationships and financial motivations color the testimonies against Combs.