Day seven of the federal criminal trial against Sean “Diddy” Combs began on Tuesday, May 20. TSR is back on the ground as the 55-year-old’s former assistant, David James, continues his testimony. Per CNN, Cassie Ventura‘s mom, Regina Ventura, is also expected on the stand today.
Furthermore, day six kicked off with Dawn Richards wrapping her testimony and cross-examination on the stand. Richard spoke largely of witnessing multiple accounts of the music mogul’s alleged abuse against Cassie. Additionally, Richard noted that the mogul allegedly threatened her life and others to keep the accounts private. Furthermore, Cassie’s former best friend, Kerry Morgan, took the stand, also revealing his alleged abuse of Cassie. Per Morgan, the incidents escalated to their broken friendship and a $30,000 payout she allegedly received from Diddy in return for her silence. As for David James, who reportedly worked for the entertainer between 2007 and 2009, Diddy appeared to revere his ex, Kim Porter. Like Cassie, he noted Diddy referred to Porter as his soulmate, while calling Cassie young and impressionable.
“‘He controls my career, pays my allowance, and pays my rent,'” James said Cassie explained to him on one occasion when he asked her why she wouldn’t leave his grasp.
David James’ Testimony Continues In Diddy Trial As Cassie’s Mom, Regina Ventura, Is Expected
Per the outlet, Prosecutor Christy Slavik continued leading James’ testimony. The former assistant continued by explaining that he “did not personally observe physical violence between Combs and Cassie Ventura.” However, he noted hearing their arguments on multiple occasions. In those disputes, Cassie reportedly noted her interest in branching out more into modeling and acting. However, her requests seemed to be denied by the mogul.
David James’ Testimony Continues: Diddy Allegedly Confronted Him Over Blog Post
Per James, he recalled being on the computer one night in Diddy’s home when he was confronted by the mogul.
“As soon as he entered the door, he bee-lined straight for me,” James told the court.
By: Jadriena Solomon
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Per the assistant, Diddy believed someone had written a blog post “lying” about his abuse toward Cassie. Additionally, the mogul wanted to see if James was the one behind the post. Afterward, he testified to not seeing Ventura for a few days. He ultimately learned that she had been at a hotel for about a week.
By: Jadriena Solomon
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David James' Testimony Continues: Stocking Of Hotel Rooms
Per James, he’d stock hotel rooms for the mogul “often.” Items reportedly included “clothing, a toiletry bag, a medicine bag, food, and drinks.” Additionally, the medicine bag reportedly housed 25-30 pill bottles. James says this included substances such as “ecstasy… Percocet” and unmarked items.
When restocking “personal items” for Diddy, this reportedly included baby oil, lubricant, and condoms.
“I don’t think Mr. Combs ever stayed alone,” James told the court, noting that Diddy allegedly would be seen staying with Cassie or “other women.”
By: Jadriena Solomon
#3
David James' Testimony Continues: Diddy's Alleged Drug Use
Per James, he saw Diddy take drugs and give them to friends. He noted that a dealer, referred to as “One Stop,” also mentioned in previous witness testimony, would supply Diddy with the drugs. Per the assistant, Diddy allegedly used Percocet while operating his day-to-day business. At night, Diddy allegedly preferred to take ecstasy.
Additionally, James noted feeling there was an unspoken requirement that he promptly and efficiently supply drugs to Diddy’s friends. While speaking, he noted doing so while on a trip to Saint-Tropez and at a party in Los Angeles.
By: Jadriena Solomon
#4
David James' Testimony Continues: Lie-Detector Tests
On one occasion, Diddy’s Cartier bracelet went missing. Per James, he was instructed to search through a then-girlfriend of the mogul’s purse. This reportedly made him uncomfortable. However, he felt he could not refuse the search. On two other similar occasions, James says he was instructed to take a lie-detector test by a man who claimed to work previously for the FBI. He added that it was an “intimidating” experience.
Per James, a former employee named Capricorn Clark also allegedly went through a similar experience.
By: Jadriena Solomon
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David James' Testimony Continues: The Alleged Suge Knight Incident
Per James, he was a witness to the evening Diddy and a security guard went to confront Suge Knight after seeing him at a diner. Per James, Diddy ordered him to drive them back to the diner. He says Diddy sat in the backseat with three guns on his lap.
Furthermore, Knight was reportedly gone when they returned to the location. Nonetheless, James was “shook up” by the incident. In May of 2009, James stopped working for Diddy.
By: Jadriena Solomon
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David James' Testimony Continues: A Witnessed FO?
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David James' Testimony Continues: Alleged Intimidation By Diddy
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David James' Testimony Concludes & Cross-Examination Kicks Off!
Per CNN, Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo has begun cross-examination of James. Per the outlet, Agnifilo challenged James’ assessment of the Suge Knight incident, alleging he shared different recounts on multiple instances.
“I think these are inaccurate notes,” James responded.
As for why he reportedly did not turn down Diddy’s request to return tot he diner, James said:
“Respectfully, sir, you have someone with three guns in this close proximity, I didn’t think I had the option to say something.”
By: Jadriena Solomon
#9
David James' Cross-Examination Continues: Immunity?
Attorney Agnifilo reportedly asked James if he was granted immunity for his testimony. James reportedly replied he was unsure but signed a proffer agreement. Per the outlet, the agreement “gives a person some protection from prosecution.”
By: Jadriena Solomon
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David James' Cross-Examination Continues: Second Car Used To Protect Diddy
Per James, Diddy’s security included a second car which accompanied him wherever he went. This was reportedly so that the car could be on the right side of the vehicle Diddy was traveling in. Additionally, the car could pull up beside the vehicle Diddy was traveling in and “prevent anyone from ‘pulling up on him’ and potentially assassinating him.” To note, in March 1997, Diddy’s artist, the Notorious B.I.G., was killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles, California.
By: Jadriena Solomon
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David James' Cross-Examination Continues: A Demanding Work Environment
Per James, working for Diddy appeared to be a grueling job. He testified that on one occasion, an assistant was sent to the hospital after working with Combs for 24 hours straight. The assistant reportedly experienced dehydration.
“You know what rhymes with tired? Fired,” James said of a slogan shared by Diddy’s staff and security.
Nonetheless, he reportedly found “mission” in his job.
“Mama Combs called me her son at one point,” he said, adding his goal. “To make sure that he was happy and prepared for the day.”
By: Jadriena Solomon
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David James' Cross-Examination Continues: Diddy Didn't Want To Have A Record Of Purchases
Per James, Diddy reportedly did not like having records of purchases for “personal items.” This reportedly included “condoms, baby oil, and personal lubricant.” Per James, he was told not to submit these items for reimbursement because “they were ‘items he didn’t want to have a record for.'”
By: Jadriena Solomon
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David James' Cross-Examination Continues: Combs Confront Him About Incident With Chef
Per CNN, James testified about Combs confronting him about an altercation James got into with one of his chefs. Per James, he became upset when the chef told him about where Diddy “needed to be.” James allegedly grabbed her wrists and squeezed them, telling her to “stay in her lane.”
Combs ultimately confronted James about the incident.
“You can’t be putting your hands on women,” Diddy allegedly told him, threatening his firing if it happened again.
Diddy reportedly told James to sent her a gift and a note. When James did so, Diddy allegedly forgave him.
By: Jadriena Solomon
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David James' Cross-Examination Concludes!
Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo has ended his cross-examination of David James.
Prosecutor Christy Slavik returns.
By: Jadriena Solomon
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Court Takes 10-Minute Break
Per CNN, the court paused for a 10-minute break, beginning at 11:27 p.m. EST.
By: Jadriena Solomon
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Regina Ventura Takes The Stand: Establishes Relationship Change
Prosecutor Emily Johnson reportedly began questioning Regina Ventura. Per Regina, she met Diddy when he began dating Cassie in 2006. After they started dating, she says, she saw Cassie about three or four times a year.
“It was harder to get to her,” she said.
By: Jadriena Solomon
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Regina Ventura's Testimony Continues: Allegedly Wired Money To Diddy
Per Regina, she allegedly wired money to Diddy in response to him threatening to release explicit videos of Cassie on one occasion. Regina says Diddy demanded $20,000 from her to “recoup” money he spent on Cassie amid their romance. Per the mother, Diddy was angry about finding out about Cassie and Kid Cudi.
Ultimately, Regina took out a home equity loan and wired the money to Diddy.
“[I was] scared about my daughter’s safety,” she said.
However, a few days later, Regina says, the money was returned to her account.
This instance was reportedly sparked by her receiving an email from Cassie in December 2011, alerting her to Diddy’s alleged plan.
“The threats that have been made towards me by Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs are that are that he is going to release 2 explicit sex tapes of me. One on Christmas Day, maybe before or right after and another one some time soon after that. He has also said that he will be having someone hurt me and Scott Mescudi physically (he made a point that it wouldn’t be by his hands, he actually said he’d be out of the country when it happened),” Cassie wrote.
On the stand, Regina said:
“I did not understand a lot of it. The sex tapes threw me. I did not know the other person, but knew that he was going to try to hurt my daughter.”
By: Jadriena Solomon
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Regina Ventura's Testimony Continues: Jurors See Photos Taken Of Alleged Abuse
At this point, jurors have been shown photos taken by Regina of Cassie’s apparent injuries.
“She was bruised, and I wanted to make sure that we memorialized it,” the mother said. “… she was beaten by Sean Combs.
Per Regina, December 2011 was the first time Cassie told her about the abuse. Previously, Cassie allegedly denied her speculation.
By: Jadriena Solomon
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Regina Ventura Leaves Witness Stand As Defense Notes No Cross-Examination, Prosecutors Reportedly Call Male Dancer Sharay Hayes
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Keep up with our continued live coverage of week 2 of the trial and continued testimonies here.
