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Diddy Sex Trafficking Trial Enters Second Week
Content warning: This story contains descriptions of alleged events that some readers may find disturbing.
The sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs continued this week, featuring explosive testimony from former associates and alleged victims.
Former Assistant Paints Picture of Combs’ “Kingdom”
David James, a former personal assistant to Combs, testified that a woman at Bad Boy Entertainment headquarters described the environment as “Mr. Combs’ kingdom,” where everyone served him. James detailed demanding work hours, the presence of weapons carried by security, and a conversation with Cassie Ventura in which she allegedly expressed feeling trapped by Combs’ control over her life and career.
Defense Focuses on Jealousy, Not Coercion
The defense cross-examined Kerry Morgan, a former friend of Ventura, highlighting her lack of contact with Ventura since 2018. Morgan had previously testified about an alleged assault by Combs, for which she received a $30,000 payment facilitated by Ventura.
The defense questioned Morgan about a text message she sent Combs, suggesting he struggled with self-love, and attempted to portray Combs’ alleged violence as stemming from jealousy and drug use, rather than coercion. However, the prosecution countered that jealousy played no role in the alleged assaults on Ventura described by Morgan.
Alleged Assaults and Control
Morgan detailed two alleged assaults on Ventura witnessed. One allegedly involved Combs pushing and hitting Ventura in a Hollywood Hills home.
The other allegedly occurred in Jamaica in 2013, where Morgan testified she heard Ventura’s “guttural, terrifying” screams and saw Combs dragging Ventura by her hair and later pushing her to the ground, causing her to hit her head. Morgan also described an incident where Ventura allegedly sustained a black eye, followed by Combs attempting to force entry into her apartment with a hammer.
Morgan also testified about conversations with Ventura where Ventura expressed feeling unable to leave Combs due to his financial control over her “job, car, [and] apartment.”
Dawn Richard’s Testimony Continues
Dawn Richard, a former member of Danity Kane and Diddy Dirty Money, resumed her testimony, recounting an alleged incident where Combs punched Ventura in the face before a festival in Central Park. Richard testified that Ventura subsequently applied makeup to conceal the injury.
The defense questioned Richard’s motives for testifying, suggesting she held resentment towards Combs for dismantling the music groups she was part of. However, Richard maintained that she was not angry but “saddened” by the events.
The defense also attempted to discredit Richard’s account by highlighting inconsistencies in her previous statements to prosecutors.
The trial continues, with further witnesses expected to testify.