Day five of the federal criminal trial against Sean “Diddy” Combs began on Friday, May 16. TSR is back on the ground as Dawn Richard is expected to soon step on the stand. Furthermore, day five kicked off with TSR receiving notice that the prosecution has shot back at the defense’s claim, initially made a day earlier, that they delayed Cassie’s testimony. The prosecution filed a letter, 3 pages long, asserting that the defense had “ample time” to prepare for Cassie’s cross-examination.
“The court should exercise its broad discretion to end cross-examination no later than 4:30 p.m. tomorrow [Friday] afternoon,” the letter reads.
Furthermore, the notice goes on to claim that the defense produced over 400 exhibits for “potential introduction through Ms. Ventura.”
“…despite the Government’s repeated requests that any such exhibits be produced as far in advance as possible. That late production appeared to be a strategic choice by the defense that delayed the Government’s ability to lodge objections. And predictably and significantly delayed the proceedings during the first day of cross-examination yesterday. The defendant should not now be afforded the opportunity to hold Ms. Ventura on cross-examination over the weekend, offering him an additional two days to review transcripts of the witness’s testimony to prepare additional cross-examination inquiry, or risk a mistrial if the witness goes into labor,” the document reads.
Ultimately, the letter ended, stating that the court should limit Cassie’s remaining time on the stand. Click here to read the full document.
Court Begins: Lawyer Debate On The “Admissibility Of Evidence For Cross-Examination” In Diddy Trial, Dawn Richard Awaited
The judge is “aiming” to keep Cassie’s cross-examination on track for today. However, lawyers from both sides began by debating the use of a 2016 video of Diddy in rehab. In the footage, he is seen “wandering through nature,” speaking about “religion and God.” Furthermore, in the clip, he says that he has God in his “heart.”
Ultimately, it appears the footage will not be shown to the jury.
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Cassie's Cross-Examination Continues: 2016 Los Angeles Hotel Assault Is Mentioned Again
On Friday, May 16, Cassie returned to the stand wearing a striped suit jacket and light blouse. Furthermore, the defense resumed their cross-examination, focusing on the aftermath of the singer’s 2016 assault at Diddy’s hands.
Per the defense, Cassie and Combs reconciled days after the incident.
“We need a different vibe from Friday,” she reportedly texted him in the days that followed. In the messages, the pair reportedly expressed love for one another and their hope to move forward.
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Cassie's Cross-Examination Continues: Diddy's Alleged Jealously
While on the stand, Cassie shared that Diddy allegedly expressed “jealous, controlling behavior” throughout their romance. She said he’d take her phone on multipe occasions. This included when she dated an unnamed football player and when he suspected she may have had a fling with Chris Brown.
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Cassie's Cross-Examination Continues: Defense Pays Audio Of Cassie Making Threats To Friend
The defense then played a 2013 recording of Cassie apparently threatening a friend who obtained footage of a sex tape involving the singer. In the audio, Cassie pleads to see the footage and says, “I’ve never killed anyone in my life, but I will kill you.”
Per Cassie, Diddy allegedly “took steps” to keep the footage private from the world.
#6
Cassie Explains That She Visited Women’s Center for Trauma Therapy, Not Rehab
At the location, Cassie says she underwent “neurofeedback therapy.” She says this helped her process her trauma.
#7
Court Breaks As Judge Appears Frustrated
#8
Cassie Says She Doesn't Hate Diddy
Per the New York Post, Cassie explained that she doesn’t “hate” Diddy despite the outcome of their romance.
“I don’t hate him… I have love for the past and what it was,” she says.
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Cassie Reveals She Ended Diddy Romance Over Gina Huynh
Per Cassie, she decided to end her romance with Diddy after seeing a photo of him with Gina Huynh in 2018. Combs had reportedly been dating Huynh since 2014, behind Cassie’s back.
“I promised myself I wouldn’t be with you anymore if you did that to me again,” she told him. “You lied to me… [and] she never went away.”
“Soon” after their split, Cassie began dating Alex Fine.
“I just don’t trust anymore. That last shot put the nail in the coffin,” she texted Diddy at the time. In turn, he asked why he couldn’t have a chance to rectify his actions, noting he had taken care of her. “… You took care of me materialistically, not where I needed it. I needed you to love me and put me first.”
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Cassie's Cross-Examination Continues: She Says She Slept With Diddy After Alleged Rape
Per New York Post, Cassie says she slept with Diddy two days after he raped her amid the end of their relationship. At the time, in September 2018, she received a FaceTime call from her now-husband. However, she did not answer. Per Cassie, she eventually told Fine she had continued sleeping with Diddy after the end of their romance. When he found out, Fine punched a wall, Cassie says.
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Cassie Cross-Examination Continues: The Last Time She Saw Diddy
Per Cassie, the last time she saw Diddy was at a memorial service for Kim Porter. Porter passed away in November, 2018. At the service, Diddy reportedly referred to Porter as his “soulmate,” which Cassie texted him about days later.
“I didn’t see him again, no,” Cassie.
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Cassie's Cross-Examination Continues: Diddy's Defense Mentions Bipolar Disorder & Grills Cassie's Rape Testimony
Per New York Post, the defense team appeared to imply that Diddy’s alleged 2018 rape of Cassie could have been linked to his bipolar disorder. Cassie had noted that Diddy’s behavior that night had been “strange.”
“I guess so,” Cassie said, appearing to agree that the disorder could have been a factor in the incident.
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Cassie's Cross-Examination Continues: Defense Says Cassie's Time On The Stand Will Wrap Soon
#15
Cassie's Cross-Examination Continues: Defense Shares Messages Between Cassie & Diddy After Their Breakup, When She Was With Alex
In one 2020 message, Combs described Cassie as his “ride or die” and one of the “greatest women” in the world.
“I don’t hate you. I never have,” she reportedly replied, noting that his words “blew” her mind.”
In another message, she wrote, “I wouldn’t be at this beautiful point in my life if I hadn’t been with you.”
“One day I hope you forgive me. We’re honestly lucky to be alive. We went hard. Please know I send this message with all respect to your marriage. Love,” Diddy reportedly texted Cassie, per New York Post.
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Cassie's Cross-Examination Continues: Cassie Denies Experiencing Financial Trouble Before Civil Lawsuit
Diddy’s defense explained that Cassie and her family moved in with her parents in Connecticut before filing the civil lawsuit against Combs. In turn, Cassie explained that their move “had nothing to do with money.”
Per Cassie, her filing against Diddy was not financially motivated.
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Cassie's Cross-Examination: Defense Argues Against Sex Trafficking Charges With Cassie's Instagram Post
#18
Cassie's Cross-Examination Wraps!
Per New York Post, Cassie’s cross ended with her noting that she “basically” became a “sex worker” to Diddy due to all the work she put in to organize the FO’s. She reportedly said she couldn’t pursue her musical career “because [she] had a whole other job … basically a sex worker.”
Additionally, Cassie noted that during the entirety of her and Diddy’s relationship, the only person she wanted to have sexual relations with was Diddy, no one else.
As for the alleged beatings during the FO’s, Cassie says she felt “worthless. Um, just like dirt like I didn’t matter to him. Like I was nothing. Absolutely nothing.”
#19
Dawn Richard Arrives At The Courthouse
#20
Cassie's Lawyer Release Statement On Her Behalf Following Her Testimony In Diddy Trial, Next Witness Awaited
Per the New York Post, Cassie’s attorneys released a statement following her time on the stand. The singer reportedly called the experience “extremely challenging” but “remarkably empowering and healing.”
“I hope that my testimony has given strength and a voice to other survivors, and can help others who have suffered to speak up and also heal from the abuse and fear,” Ventura added, per the outlet. “For me, the more I heal, the more I can remember. And the more I can remember, the more I will never forget. I want to thank my family and my advocates for their unwavering support, and I’m grateful for all the kindness and encouragement that I have received. I’m glad to put this chapter of my life to rest. As I turn to focus on the conclusion of my pregnancy, I ask for privacy for me and for my growing family.”
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Dawn Richard Takes The Stand: Says She Was Witness To Diddy's Abuse Of Cassie
Per New York Post, Dawn Richard has taken the stand following the end of Cassie’s testimony. Per the outlet, Richard told the court she saw Diddy get violent with Cassie “often.”
“[He was] screaming, belligerent, asking where his food was and proceeded to hit [Ventura] over the head and beat her on the ground in front of us,” Richard said, reportedly recalling a 2009 incident.
Per Richard, Diddy punched and kicked Cassie before dragging her up a set of stairs. Richard admitted she was shocked by what she saw and did not intervene. The next day, she and another individual were allegedly threatened by Combs, who allegedly locked the pair in his studio.
“He said what we saw was passion and what lovers in passionate relationships do. He said [Ventura] was OK and it would be in our best interests if we didn’t say anything,” Richard told the court.
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Dawn Richard will return to the stand on Monday, May 19. Be sure to check back in with The Shade Room for continued live coverage.
