Diddy Trial Week 2: Dawn Richard, Cassie’s Ex-Bestie, Combs’ Former Employees, Kid Cudi & MORE Testify (RECAP)

Male dancer Sharay Hayes took the stand after Cassie’s mother and shared that he met Diddy and Cassie “sometime in the fall of 2012.” They reportedly met at the Trump International Hotel in New York City. At the time, Cassie used the name “Janet” and said she was hiring Hayes at her husband’s direction for her birthday.

Hayes believed he would meet the pair alongside a small group of people and do a striptease dance. When he arrived, however, he was reportedly told by “Janet” that she and her husband wanted him to “create a sexy scene.” He was instructed to apply baby oil on her body as her husband watched.

“I was specifically told to not acknowledge her husband, try not to look at him, no communication or anything,” Hayes said.

He was reportedly given $800 before slipping into a towel.

The government calls its next witness — Sharay Hayes. He was an exotic dancer known as The Punisher.

He testified he was hired in 2012 to create a “sexy erotic scene” for Diddy and Cassie. When he arrived at Trump Tower, he noticed Cassie “in a bath robe with nothing…

— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) May 20, 2025

By: Jadriena Solomon

As the alleged encounter continued, Hayes followed Cassie in pouring baby oil over himself. He noted that he mimicked her actions and was given another $1,200 for the ordeal.

Per Hayes, he reportedly had about 12 encounters with the pair.

Hayes testified he had freak offs with Cassie and Diddy 8 or 12 more times after this.

Prosecution: “How did it end?”
Hayes: “She went into the other room with him. When she came back, she asked if I wanted to finish. I said no, if they were happy, I was happy. She gave me more…

— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) May 20, 2025

By: Jadriena Solomon

Judge Subramanian adjourned the courtroom for lunch.

— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) May 20, 2025

After a courtroom break, Sharay “The Punisher” Hayes returned to the witness stand for additional questions about freak offs with Diddy and Cassie. He mentioned recognizing the couple: “Ironically, I am a fan and follow him on Instagram.” He also said the freak offs required “a lot” of baby oil, enough to glisten during the encounters. FOs would last about four hours, and he got paid $1,200 in cash after “finishing” in a specific spot. He often worried about losing the gig due to performance issues and becoming aroused.

The Punisher opened up about performance issues during his testimony. He revealed it was hard for him to perform sexually with Cassie, while Diddy was in the room. When asked about whether these issues impacted his pay, Hayes said he was unsure how his pay was calculated.…

— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) May 20, 2025

Additionally, he testified about a self-help book he’s writing about the intersection between erectile dysfunction and mental health. Six pages allegedly mention Cassie and Diddy.

By: Cassandra Santiago

During additional questioning from prosecutors, Hayes said that he never heard Cassie object to Diddy’s bedroom demands during FOs.

“I did observe sometimes a sigh, a wince, that seemed frustration at the frequency [of Diddy’s directions].”

Then, amid cross-examination by Diddy’s defense lawyer, Xavier Donaldson, Hayes denied ever having personal feelings or a relationship with Cas. However, he admitted that he believed he was the only person the singer was intimate with in the FOs way. Donaldson then asked if Cassie seemed uncomfortable during the encounters, which Hayes denied, later adding that he never witnessed violence between the ex-couple.

“I did not get any cues that there was a discomfort with what was going on. It seemed as if it was consented, as far as I was concerned.”

Cross-examination ended shortly after.

Donaldson continued cross-examination of Hayes. He asked Hayes if Cassie ever appeared to be uncomfortable during their freak offs.

Hayes: “I did not get any cues that there was a discomfort with what was going on. It seemed as if it was consented, as far as I was concerned.”…

— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) May 20, 2025

By: Cassandra Santiago

Per CNN, special HSI agent Gerard Gannon has taken the stand. He is the 10th witness in the trial. To note, HSI searched various homes of Diddy during a raid in March 2024. Gannon reportedly confirmed that the raid was part of a human trafficking investigation. Additionally, he shared that law enforcement intentionally waited until Diddy left on a planned trip with his family before they entered his homes.

Gannon details the March 2024 raid of Diddy’s home on Star Island. He alleged the HSI Human Trafficking group learned that Diddy and his family were flying out of the country, so they monitored his property until the raid began at 3pm EST.

Gannon testified authorities broken…

— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) May 20, 2025

By: Jadriena Solomon

In continued testimony, prosecutors shared photos from Diddy’s Miami home while Agent Ganon explained evidence collected. He stated he was in charge of categorizing the items, which included: “parts of AR-15, sex toys, Astroglide, platform heels, and lingerie.”

During the sidebar, exhibit from Star Island raid: baby oil and Astroglide… pic.twitter.com/wn5kTpIrOM

— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) May 21, 2025

The agent also held up an evidence bag and showed the jury one of the AR-15 receivers. The prosecutor asked the agent to indicate the missing serial numbers on some of the weapons, which he did, saying the numbers were scratched off, making certain guns harder to trace. Additionally, Gannon said the platform heels found were at least seven inches high.

By: Cassandra Santiago

Judge Subramanian adjourned court for the day, ending with Agent Gannon on the stand. NBC reports that Kid Cudi will take the stand on day eight or nine of the trial.

By: Cassandra Santiago

Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Gerard Gannon has returned to the stand. Per CNN, his testimony resumed with jurors seeing photos of an NSFW toy and a pair of red high-heeled heels. The items were reportedly found in Diddy’s master bedroom of his Miami home during the March 2024 home raids. Per Agent Gannon, 18 pairs of high heels were found in the home. Additionally, three cell phones were found hidden in the closet.

By: Jadriena Solomon

Per Gannon, a Gucci bag found in Diddy’s closet allegedly contained “an assortment of pills, white powder, a ‘crystal rock-like substance,'” a straw, and other items. Residue from the straw reportedly tested positive for ketamine and cocaine. Meanwhile, an eyedrop bottle tested positive for MDMA and ketamine. Furthermore, agent Gannon mentioned that other tablets found tested positive for “alprazolam,” a medication to manage anxiety and panic symptoms.

In addition, Gannon shared that 25 bottles of baby oil and 31 bottles of lubricant were found in Diddy’s closet. Jurors were shown photos of the items, narcotics, and a gold-plated box found in his master bedroom, containing MDMA and other substances.

The prosecution presents various images into evidence showing additional items that were seized from Diddy’s home. The images included photos of boxes filled with bottles of baby oil and personal lubricant.

Gannon specified he seized 25 bottles of baby oil and 31 bottles of…

— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) May 21, 2025

By: Jadriena Solomon

Per the agent, a loaded .45 handgun was also found in one of Diddy’s residences. Per Gannon, the room it was found in was identified as the “guard shack.” According to CNN, Gannon showed jurors an evidence bag with bullets taken from the weapon.

Gannon was asked about a gun being found in a suitcase. He confirmed a loaded .45 handgun was found, and held up an evidence bag filled with the bullets recovered from the firearm.

The prosecution has finished its line of questioning, and the defense started cross-examination.

— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) May 21, 2025

By: Jadriena Solomon

Defense attorney Teny Geragos started her cross-examination of Special Agent Gannon with questions about the agency’s knowledge of Diddy’s plan to leave the country with his twin daughters, prior to the March 2024 raid.

Gannon: “The plan was to have him not there. But we had…

— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) May 21, 2025

By: Jadriena Solomon

Per the outlet, the defense began their question by asking Agent Gannon to share with the court that the AR-15 rifle found in Diddy’s home was dismantled and unloaded.

During his cross-examination by Diddy’s attorney, Gannon confirmed that the firearm found in Diddy’s home was wrapped in a towel, and that agents did not find any photos of Diddy with the firearms. Diddy’s team suggested that it’s “easier” to get fingerprints and DNA from metal…

— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) May 21, 2025

By: Jadriena Solomon

Per CNN, Agent Gannon’s cross-examination ended with psychologist Dawn Hughes following him up on the stand. Hughes is a board-certified clinical and forensic psychologist who testified in Amber Heard and Johnny Depp’s 2022 defamation trial.

The prosecution called its 11th witness to the stand—Psychologist Dawn Hughes. Hughes is an experienced expert witness, who has testified in various trials including R.Kelly’s racketeering and immoral transportation case.

Hughes will provide the jury with information about… pic.twitter.com/Z8BulS9bs4

— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) May 21, 2025

By: Jadriena Solomon

Per the outlet, Hughes shared that she hasn’t spoken to any witnesses involved in the case. Additionally, she shared that she has largely not been following the trial and is being paid for her time on the stand. Furthermore, she explained that it’s common for victims to stay in abusive relationships.

“It’s about the power and control that the abuser has over the victim,” she said.

Specifically speaking about sexual abuse, Hughes explained that victims “experience a tremendous amount of shame, humiliation, degradation.

“They don’t want to talk about it. They don’t even want to think about it in their own brain,” she said.

Furthermore, Hughes added that financial dependence factors into the abuse as well.

“How are you to leave if you don’t have access to those tangible resources?” she said.

Additionally, the psychologist shared that abusive relationships, although volatile, can contain factors of love and affection.

“The victim wants that, they want that back. So when that is shown to the victim, that’s very reinforcing,” she said, noting that “trauma bonds… when somebody is attached to their partner in spite of violence and abuse” can be developed amid the relationship.

Furthermore, the trauma bond can build a victim’s unwillingness to walk away from the relationship.

By: Jadriena Solomon

Per the expert, she shared that it often takes victims multiple attempts before successfully leaving an abusive relationship.

“There’s this pattern of returning and reconciliation, and then returning again,” she said.

She explained that victims often return to the “good version of their partner that they still do love.” Additionally, she noted that victims can also return due to the abuse continuing despite the relationship ending. Furthermore, she noted that victims often cope by trying to work things out and “preserve” the good found in the relationship.

By: Jadriena Solomon

During her testimony, Hughes explained the difference between passive and active defense by abuse victims. Passive defense includes exercising actions that are “the least provoking as possible to get the violent episode to stop.” This could include curling up on the floor and blocking punches. Meanwhile, active self-defense could include throwing objects and hitting back.

“[This is] to have some way of standing up for themselves, although in many cases that usually results in more severe injury to themselves,” she said

As for drug use by abuse victims, Hughes explained that this is often done for a “numb[ing]” effect from any “physical or psychological pain to come.”

By: Jadriena Solomon

Per Hughes, victims can wait “months, even years” before disclosing their abuse to others. She added that victims are usually more willing to speak to strangers about the events.

“The closer the relationship to the perpetrator, the less likely you’re going to be to disclose,” she said before adding. “They don’t want to label themselves… a victim. They don’t want to label their abuser as [an] abuser. It’s too painful to admit that fact that ‘Somebody who loved me did this to me.’ They’re still in self-blame.”

Furthermore, Hughes added that victims’ memories can be “fragmented.” However, their accounts are usually reliable. Specifically, Hughes noted that victims’ memories and how they retain isolated incidents of abuse can also be characterized, or assisted, by “markers” or milestone events they associate with the specific instance.

By: Jadriena Solomon

After a brief court recess, Dawn Hughes resumed the witness stand. Under cross-examination, Hughes confirmed that she had not gathered information about Diddy’s case before being called as an expert witness.

“I don’t evaluate offenders,” the psychologist said after the defense acknowledged her history as an expert witness for battered women cases. She also clarified that testifying as an expert court witness only makes up “maybe half” of her income after the defense mentioned her $600 hourly rate.

Cross-examination ended shortly after, and AUSA Steiner began her re-direct. During the re-direct, Hughes said she only examined court filings related to her expert testimony. That was an attempt to shut down any narratives about helping prosecutors with briefs on the case or evidence presentation in the trial. Hughes was off the stand shortly afterward.

AUSA Mitzi Steiner Starts Re-Direct

Defense attorney Bach finished his cross-examination, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mitzi Steiner started her re-direct of Dr. Hughes.

Hughes testified that during her meetings with prosecutors, she only evaluated court filings related to her…

— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) May 21, 2025

By: Cassandra Santiago 

After Dr. Hughes, the prosecution called George Kaplan to the stand. Kaplan testified that Sean Combs constantly threatened to fire him and spoke of wanting the best employees during his employment between 2013 and 2015. The music mogul’s tone was allegedly sometimes motivational and at other times angry, per Kaplan.

Kaplan traveled with Diddy to various locations, such as Atlanta, New York, Miami, DC, and Orlando, where he set up hotel rooms and spaces “properly” for him. He used a given bag, sometimes including clothes, candles, Astroglide, liquor, and baby oil. He testified to working between 80 and 100 hours weekly. Kaplan was also reportedly responsible for cleaning up Diddy’s rooms, usually booked under Frank Black.

His ultimate job was to allegedly protect the producer. “Protecting him and his public image was very important and that was something I was very keen on doing,” the former employee said.

Diddy would often phone Kaplan from his hotel rooms for food, clothes, and drugs. That allegedly happened at least once in Los Angeles and once in Miami, and Diddy gave him a number to call, cash, and had him meet another person for pills, which were then given to Diddy.

Shortly afterward, the court adjourned for the day.

By: Cassandra Santiago

Kid Cudi is expected to take the stand on Thursday after additional testimony and the cross-examination of Kaplan. Four other witnesses could also be called. See footage of Kid Cudi arriving at the courthouse below.

On day nine of the trial, George Kaplan said that in 2015, he held $50,000 in cash on a private jet. Diddy’s team had allegedly given him the task. He also said Diddy had him collect payments of $10,000 in cash from Western Union several times.

Amid additional questioning, Kaplan said Diddy was in three long-term relationships with Cassie, Kim Porter, and Gina Huynh. Cassie and Gina were the mogul’s girlfriends, while Kim was the mother of his kids.

Like other witnesses before him, Kaplan also testified that he was subpoenaed to appear in court. He admitted to having an immunity deal in place that protects him from prosecution as long as he is truthful. If it’s proven he lied on the stand, he could face perjury charges.

By: Cassandra Santiago

In continued testimony, George Kaplan said he witnessed Diddy get violent with Cassie on a private jet in 2015. Kaplan says he heard glass breaking and Cassie scream, “Isn’t anybody seeing this?” However, no one on board intervened, including staff members, security, and management. Kaplan admitted that he also did not report the incident to the police.

Kaplan also testified that he used the Combs Enterprise company credit card to buy products like witch-hazel for an “anti-swelling agent.” At the time, Cassie was allegedly bruised and crying in Diddy’s home.

2015 was the last year Kaplan worked for Combs, and he said he couldn’t stand witnessing the violence against Gina and Cassie. “In my heart of hearts, I knew it was the right thing to do,” he said. However, he told Diddy another story, claiming his father was sick. Kaplan admitted that he kept in contact with Diddy because he “liked” him and “wanted to continue having a relationship with him.”

By: Cassandra Santiago

During cross-examination, attorney Marc Agnilfo asked George Kaplan to speak about good moments from Diddy’s employment. Kaplan said he still carries lessons from working with Combs, and credits that experience with his success later on. “Working for Mr. Combs made my world so much bigger in such short period of time,” he testified.

Kaplan also revealed that Combs never paid for things, but that his staff would instead. He added that it’s “unrealistic” to think Combs paid for small items like baby oil himself because his world “was the size of Earth.”

He also clarified that in the 2015 jet incident, he didn’t see any bruises on Cassie and that he wasn’t sure Gina got hit with the apples Diddy once threw her direction. As for himself, Kaplan says Diddy’s threats about his job never got physical. He also said he never saw Diddy with a gun, and clarified that he “desperately” did not want to testify.

Kaplan says he never saw Diddy with a gun. He also says he “desperately” did not want to testify but says he was subpoenaed.

— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) May 22, 2025

By: Cassandra Santiago

George Kaplan’s testimony has ended, and Kid Cudi has taken the stand. For a recap of everything he said, click the link below:

LIVE UPDATES: Kid Cudi Arrives At Manhattan Court To Testify In Diddy’s Federal Trial (VIDEO)

After Kid Cudi’s testimony, the court took a short lunch break. Then, makeup artist Mylah Morales testified that she saw injuries on Cassie’s face only once while doing makeup for her between 2007 and 2021. She said it happened in 2010 during the Grammys weekend after Combs stormed into Cassie’s bedroom at a hotel and she heard “yelling and screaming.” At the time, the makeup artist was sleeping on the room coach. After an angry Combs left the room, Morales said, she went in and saw Cassie.

“She had a swollen eye and a busted lip and knots on her head,” Morales said.

When she saw Cassie with a swollen eye, busted lip, and knots on her head, Morales said she immediately packed up her things and got her out of the hotel.

Cassie testified last week that Combs “beat me up in that room.” Cassie said she ended up staying at Morales’ nearby home for three or four days. Morales said her doctor friend checked Cassie out the next day and recommended she go to the emergency room, but Cassie didn’t.

Morales also clarified that she met Cassie on a photoshoot set as a teenager.

They’d met on a photoshoot when Cassie was a teenager, and Morales said they’d worked together regularly from 2007 to 2021. Morales said Combs, who was also a client, wanted the final say on Cassie’s makeup looks.

“Sean always made sure that the look was perfect,” Morales testified. “You’d have to report back to him,” sending him cell phone pictures for his approach.

By Cassandra Santiago and Associated Press Staff via AP Newsroom. 

Per CNN, before exiting the stand, Morales confirmed to the court that she’s made about eight media appearances to share her alleged experiences concerning Diddy and Cassie’s relationship. Furthermore, the makeup artist alleged that she has never accepted payment for these appearances. Instead, she noted accepting payment for injury photos.

Diddy’s defense team begins cross-examination of Mylah Morales. Attorney Estevao questioned Morales about doing recent interviews following the sexual misconduct allegations against Diddy. Morales confirmed she interviewed with CNN, Extra TV, Don Lemon and Piers Morgan, but…

— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) May 22, 2025

By: Jadriena Solomon

The 15th witness to take the stand was Frederic Zemmour, a general manager at the L’Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Per CNN, hotel reservations at the location dating back to 2008 had been entered into the exhibit. According to Zemmour, a user profile at the hotel was initially created under the name Sean Combs. However, over the course of time, the name would be changed on various occasions from “Sean Combs, [to] Frank White, or Frank Black… to Ryan Lopez.”

The notes reportedly placed on the user profile read:

• “Pls monitor outside his rm / down the hall to spray air freshener… ALWAYS spills candle wax on everything and uses excessive amounts of oil, place the room out of order upon departure for deep cleaning… Please authorize an extra $1000 when guest stays with us to cover any room damages.”

By: Jadriena Solomon

Per the outlet, the hotel employee concluded his testimony, and the defense declined cross-examination. Subsequently, Joshua Croft, a computer forensics agent for Homeland Security, took the stand.

By: Jadriena Solomon

Per CNN, Croft spoke to data reportedly being extracted from three of Cassie’s laptops. One device reportedly contained a user profile under the name “Frank Black.”

Now for cross-examination.

Diddy’s defense attorney Teny Geragos questioned Croft about the Frank Black profile on Cassie’s laptop. Croft said that he did not do a full review of the data.

— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) May 22, 2025

By: Jadriena Solomon

As of 2:48 p.m. EST, court has concluded for the day. The trial will resume on Tuesday, May 27, following the Memorial Day holiday.

Judge Subramanian concluded court for the day. Court will resume on Tuesday, following the holiday weekend, with Diddy’s former assistant Capricorn Clark taking the stand. Members of the LAPD and Los Angeles Fire Department are also set to testify.

— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) May 22, 2025

By: Jadriena Solomon

THIS IS LIVE COVERAGE. PLEASE CHECK BACK IN WITH THE SHADE ROOM HERE FOR UPDATES WHEN COURT RESUMES ON TUESDAY, MAY 27. 

RELATED: “Hundreds” Of Freak Offs Later, Who Are The Male Escorts Testifying & Named In Diddy’s Trial? (PHOTOS)