The second week of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ trial brought a wave of explosive testimony from those closest to him. Following Cassie Ventura’s emotional account last week, the prosecution called several witnesses who corroborated her claims of abuse, violence, and threats. Dawn Richard, a former member of Danity Kane, recounted witnessing Combs physically assault Ventura on multiple occasions, including a punch to the face at a Central Park music festival and another incident at a star-studded dinner with celebrities like Usher and Ne-Yo. Richard’s testimony, however, faced intense scrutiny during cross-examination, with the defense highlighting inconsistencies and suggesting her testimony stemmed from resentment over her perceived ruined music career. The defense also attempted to portray Combs’ violence as stemming from jealousy and drug use, rather than as a means of control.
Kerry Morgan, Ventura’s former best friend, offered further support for the prosecution’s case, detailing two separate instances where she witnessed Combs assaulting Ventura—one at his Hollywood Hills home and another in Jamaica. Morgan’s testimony also included an account of a 2016 incident at the Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles, corroborating Ventura’s previous statements and explaining why Ventura refused to cooperate with police at the time. The defense questioned Morgan’s motives and the lasting impact of an alleged incident involving Combs and a $30,000 settlement. The defense’s cross-examination aimed to discredit the witnesses’ accounts and establish alternate explanations for Combs’ actions.
Adding another layer to the narrative was the testimony of David James, Combs’ former personal assistant. James described the demanding nature of working for Combs and the atmosphere at Bad Boy Entertainment, painting a picture of a hierarchical structure centered around Combs. He also relayed a conversation with Ventura, where she expressed feeling trapped and controlled by Combs, highlighting the alleged control over her career and finances. James’ testimony is expected to continue, focusing on details surrounding the preparation of hotel rooms for Combs, which the prosecution intends to use to support their claim of a broader criminal enterprise.
Adding to the compelling evidence presented, the prosecution released photos shown to the jury during Ventura’s testimony. These included images of Ventura’s injuries, a knife she used for self-defense, and evidence from the night of Combs’ arrest, which included cash, substances allegedly testing positive for ketamine and MDMA, and bottles of baby oil. The sheer volume of evidence presented leaves the jury with a complex picture to consider as the trial progresses.
