The pop and R&B singer Casandra Elizabeth “Cassie” Ventura is taking the stand right this moment within the federal trial of her former boyfriend Sean “Diddy” Combs. Throughout her testimony, as reported by The New York Times, Cassie has described the alleged bodily and sexual abuse she endured throughout her relationship with Diddy. She additionally mentioned the “freak-offs” on the heart of the federal authorities’s case in opposition to the hip-hop musician and mogul. She might be on the stand for 4 days, in keeping with The Times.
Responding to questions from the prosecution, Cassie stated that her relationship with Diddy concerned “violent arguments that may often lead to some form of bodily abuse.” She additionally stated that the musician “managed lots of [her] life.” Cassie additionally recalled the beginnings of her relationship with Diddy. “I simply knew that he was this larger-than-life entrepreneur, musician. Was a fan of the music. I didn’t know an excessive amount of about him personally,” she stated. “I needed to be round Sean for a similar causes as everybody else on the time,” she added. “He was simply this thrilling, entertaining, enjoyable man that additionally occurred to have, you understand, my profession in his arms.”
The prosecution additionally requested Cassie to explain what a “freak-off” was, and she or he stated, “It principally entails the hiring of an escort and organising this expertise in order that I might carry out for Sean.” She added that they may final from roughly 36 hours to 4 days, and stated, “The freak-offs turned a job the place there was no area to do anything however to get better and simply attempt to really feel regular once more.”
Cassie sued Diddy, in November 2023, and accused him of bodily and sexual assault. She settled her lawsuit almost instantly after submitting it, however her willingness to disclose her experiences with Diddy led to a cascade of allegations and lawsuits in opposition to him. Her lawsuit additionally probably helped spur the federal government into motion, as officers began to build its racketeering and sex trafficking case in opposition to Diddy.
Diddy’s trial began on Monday, Might 12, and it’s anticipated to final eight weeks. Throughout opening statements, one of many federal authorities’s prosecutors, Emily A. Johnson, stated that Diddy “had an internal circle of bodyguards and high-ranking staff who helped him commit crimes and helped him cowl them up.” The musician’s authorized workforce, in distinction, stated that Diddy’s abuse doesn’t represent intercourse trafficking. Later, on the first day of the trial, a person named Daniel Phillip testified that Diddy paid him to have sexual encounters with Cassie. Phillip additionally stated that he witnessed Diddy’s violence in opposition to Cassie.
If you happen to or somebody you understand has been affected by sexual assault or home abuse, we encourage you to achieve out for help:
RAINN Nationwide Sexual Assault Hotline
https://rainn.org
1 800 656 HOPE (4673)
Disaster Textual content Line
SMS: Textual content “HELLO” or “HOLA” to 741-741
The Nationwide Home Violence Hotline
https://thehotline.org
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
