Day four of the federal criminal trial against Sean “Diddy” Combs commenced on Thursday, May 15. TSR is back on the ground. And the day kicked off with Judge Subramanian requesting the prosecution and defense “to finalize what evidence can and can’t be introduced.” This reportedly before the defense began their cross-examination of Casandra “Cassie” Ventura.
By: Jadriena Solomon
Cassie Sits For Cross-Examination In Diddy Trial: 2008-2009 Emails & Texts Read & As “Pop Pop” Nickname Resurfaces
Defense attorney Anna Estevao began the team’s cross-examination with questions about Cassie and Diddy’s relationship.
As the cross-examination continued, Estevao presented Cassie with old texts and email exchanges she shared with Diddy. In a set from 2008, Cassie shared her love for Diddy, while in a set from August 2009, Diddy expressed his love for Cassie.
“I love you sooooo much it makes me cry,” he reportedly wrote in a message.
Additionally, in one text message, Cassie even refers to “Diddy” as “Pop Pop.” As mentioned in her earlier testimony, this was a name she says she used to call her grandfather. And found it “disrespectful” that Diddy asked her to also refer to him the same.
Amid the texts being read, Cassie explained her perspective: “I had fallen in love with him and cared about him very much.”
By: Jadriena Solomon
Cross-Examination Continues: Things Appear To Take A Turn In 2010
As the cross-examination continued, Cassie read an April 2010 email. In it, she “expressed frustration that Combs would rush her off the phone and wasn’t making time for her.”
“That’s not being in a relationship with someone that you love and are in love with … I am really hurt by the way you deal with me, I don’t need your money, I need some attention,” she wote.
By: Jadriena Solomon
Cross-Examination: Texts Mentioning “Freak-Offs” Are Read
Estevao then reads texts from Diddy, reportedly shared in August 2009.
“When do you want to freak off? Lol,” he writes. To which Cassie responds, “I’m always ready to freak off.”
Two days later, Cassie reportedly writes to Diddy again:
“I can’t wait to watch you. I want you to get real hott,” he says.” To which she responds, “Me Too, I just want it to be uncontrollable.”
By: Jadriena Solomon
#1
Court Pauses At Cassie's Request
#2
Cross-Examination Continues: Cassie's Asked About Her Prior Romance With Ryan Leslie
When cross-examination resumed, the defense questioned Cassie about having “Mr. Leslie’s initials” tattooed on her body. In response, she affirmed. Ultimately, Cassie was asked how many tattoos she had before meeting Diddy.
She explained she had three, which included one that read, “No Regrets.”
By: Jadriena Solomon
#3
Cross Examination Continues: 2009 Texts Are Read Where Cassie Tells Diddy She Wants More
As cross continues, a 2009 text exchange between Cassie and Diddy is read. In the correspondence, Cassie expresses her desire to have more than a sexual relationship with Diddy.
“I like that. I want it and I want to give you the same,” Cassie wrote, reportedly referring to oral sex. “I just think that I have to trust you beyond it just being sexual. Do you know what I mean? In order for me to be more open with the things we do in bed, I need to feel safe, like home, like this is my husband, and this is THE ONLY man that will ever have this aggressive/sexual side of me.”
The message reportedly ends with, “The last time was a mistake… it made me feel a little dirty and grimy as opposed to sexual and spontaneous.”
By: Jadriena Solomon
#4
Cross-Examination Continues: Cassie Giggles At 2007 Email
As a 2007 email was shared, Cassie giggled in court. The email was reportedly sent by her to Diddy.
“It’s making me giggle because it’s from 2007,” Cassie told the court, reportedly breaking the tension inthe room.
By: Jadriena Solomon
#5
Cross-Examination: Mood Shifts As The Topic Turns To Cassie's Civil Lawsuit & The Freak-Offs
At that point, cross continued with Diddy’s lawyer asking Cassie if she was unaware that her civil lawsuit, and specifically the revelation of the sexual “freakoffs,” involving the 55-year-old, ruined his career.
“I could understand that,” Cassie replied.
As for the freak-offs, specifically, Cassie explained that she “wore wigs and masquerade masks during the encounters to stay hidden.”
“I definitely didn’t want anyone to know,” she explained.
More specifically, Cassie explained that on the first freak off, she followed Diddy’s lead.
“The encounter itself was pretty crazy,” she said. “I really followed his lead on that because I had never done it before.”
By: Jadriena Solomon
#8
Cross-Examination Continues: Cassie Shares Diddy's Addictions
Before the court broke for lunch, Cassie explained that she believes Diddy was an addict to “success.” Additionally, she explained that “at a point,” he was also addicted to opiates.
By: Jadriena Solomon
#10
Cross-Examination Continues: Cassie's Time On The Stand Is Discussed
As the trial returns, the defense reveals that they expect Cassie’s time on the stand to be concluded by the end of Friday, March 16.
By: Jadriena Solomon
#11
Cross Examination: FO's Are Mentioned Again
From there, the defense shares additional texts in which Cassie and Diddy discussed their “love” for the freak-offs.
“Loving FO’s were just words at that point,” Cassie told the courtroom.
Per the New York Post, Cassie would sometimes purchase “different sexual supplies, lubricants, [and] outfits” for the FOs from sex shops. Furthermore, one text shared by the defense showed Cassie and Diddy noting their efforts to be cautious to avoid her getting pregnant.
Combs reportedly sent Cassie a message that they would “be extra careful” on that particular occasion.
By: Jadriena Solomon
#13
Cross-Examination Continues: Kim Porter Is Mentioned
Per the Post, as cross continued, Cassie testified that she was jealous of Kim Porter. Porter shared three children with Combs and their relationship ran from about 1994 to 2007.
“I had some jealousy toward Ms. Porter, yeah,” Cassie said, noting that Diddy would often spend holidays with Porter and their children, which made her feel “upset.”
By: Jadriena Solomon
#14
Cross-Examination Continues: Gina Huynh Is Mentioned
Additionally, Diddy’s romantic relationship with Gina Huynh was also mentioned. Per Cassie, finding out about his relationship with Huynh prompted “scary” arguments between her and the mogul.
By: Jadriena Solomon
#15
Cross-Examination: Kid Cudi Is Mentioned Again
As cross continued, the defense moved on to Cassie’s romance with Kid Cudi. It was explained that Cassie’s romance with Cudi began after she was connected to him by Diddy. Furthermore, Diddy explained that a collaboration with Cudi would be helpful for her career.
Cassie became romantic with Cudi while she and Diddy were briefly broken up. During that time, however, Cassie continued to be involved in freak-offs with Diddy.
By: Jadriena Solomon
#17
Cross-Examination: Cassie Recalls Diddy's Reaction To Her Drug Use
As the cross continued, Cassie recalled Diddy’s alleged reaction to her on-and-off dependence on opiates.
Additionally, Cassie shared that Diddy’s reaction to her use of drugs when he wasn’t present.
By: Jadriena Solomon
#18
The Courtroom Takes Another Break
#19
Cross-Examination: Cassie Calls Out Defense For Making Her "Look Like A Side Piece"
On the stand, Diddy’s defense attempted to highlight instances of Cassie’s anger and jealousy by referencing past texts between them. She clapped back, saying, “You’re making me look like a side piece, and that is not what I thought I was.”
By: Cassandra Santiago
#20
Cross-Examination: Michael B. Jordan Comes Up In Cassie's Testimony
Ahead of the court adjourning for the day, Cassie testified about Diddy suspecting she was being unfaithful to him while she was filming for ‘Honey 3’ in South Africa. Cassie said the man he suspected was Michael B. Jordan.
By: Cassandra Santiago
#21
Defense Questions Cassie About 2016 Hotel "Freak Off"
Additionally, the defense questioned Cassie about the “freak off” that happened at the hotel in 2016 that ended with her assault on video. Attorney Anna Estevao presented text messages between the ex-couple, suggesting Cassie agreed to participate ahead of it in sexually explicit language that wasn’t read to the courtroom.
Cassie responded that she could tell by Combs’ language in the texts that he wanted a “freak off” since he questioned her about her plans for the night. She said she wanted to get the act over with so Diddy would be happy and allegedly not ruin a movie premiere she had scheduled for three days later.
Estevao then suggested that on the day of the 2016 beating, Cassie and Diddy had a “bad batch” of the drug MDMA. But the singer only replied, “I have no idea” before her testimony concluded for the day. She’s expected to return to the stand on Friday for additional questioning from both sides.
By: Cassandra Santiago
