Entertainment
Cassie Ventura Takes the Stand: Explosive Testimony Rocks Diddy Sex Trafficking Trial
NEW YORK, May 13, 2025 – The federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs entered a dramatic new phase as his former partner, singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, delivered harrowing testimony about years of alleged abuse and coercion, providing jurors with a firsthand account at the center of the government’s sex trafficking and racketeering case against the hip-hop mogul.
Cassie’s Testimony: Violence, Control, and “Freak Offs”
Taking the stand Tuesday morning, Ventura described a decade-long relationship with Combs marked by frequent violence and psychological manipulation. “He would bash my head, knock me down, drag me, kick me, stomp me in the head if I was down,” Ventura told the court, recounting incidents that spanned from 2007 to 2018. She said Combs exercised total control over her life and forced her into “freak offs”-drug-fueled sex parties with paid escorts-under threat of violence or emotional retaliation..
Ventura testified that she first participated in a “freak off” at age 22, unable to refuse due to Combs’ dominance and her own desire to please him. “He called all of the shots,” she said, adding that she often felt confused, anxious, and powerless.
Key Evidence: 2016 Hotel Video
Jurors were shown surveillance footage from March 2016 that appeared to corroborate Ventura’s claims. The video showed Combs physically attacking Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel, forcefully pushing her to the ground, kicking her, and dragging her across the floor. The footage, which first surfaced publicly in 2024, was described by prosecutors as a clear example of the violence at the heart of the case.
Additional Witnesses and Testimony
Daniel Phillip, a male escort, also testified that he was paid to have sex with Ventura at Combs’ direction and witnessed Combs physically assault her. Phillip described an incident where Combs threw a liquor bottle and dragged Ventura by her hair into a bedroom after she hesitated to comply with his instructions. On cross-examination, the defense questioned the accuracy of Phillip’s account, but he maintained that Combs was attempting to orchestrate further sexual activity.
The Prosecution and Defense Strategies
Prosecutors allege that Combs used his celebrity and resources to operate a criminal enterprise that trafficked and exploited women, using violence, blackmail, and drugs to maintain control. They claim he recorded sexual encounters to coerce silence from his victims.
The defense acknowledges that Combs’ relationships were sometimes violent but insists all sexual activity was consensual, characterizing his lifestyle as that of a “swinger” rather than a trafficker. Defense attorneys argue that the allegations are exaggerated and motivated by financial gain.
What’s Next in the Trial
The trial, overseen by District Judge Arun Subramanian, is expected to last several weeks and will feature testimony from multiple alleged victims and former employees. Combs, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, faces up to life in prison if convicted.
The Broader Context
The case against Combs comes after a wave of lawsuits and a federal investigation that led to his arrest in September 2024. Cassie Ventura’s 2023 civil lawsuit-settled one day after filing-helped spark the current criminal proceedings. More than 50 lawsuits alleging sexual assault have since been filed against Combs.
In Their Own Words
“He would bash my head, knock me down, drag me, kick me, stomp me in the head if I was down.”
As the trial continues, the testimony of Cassie Ventura and other witnesses will be pivotal in determining whether the jury finds the music mogul guilty of the sweeping charges that have upended his career and legacy.
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