Additional Coverage:
- Judge slams Diddy’s lawyer for asking Kid Cudi if he actually slept with Cassie (businessinsider.com)
Diddy’s Attorney Rebuked by Judge in Sex-Trafficking Trial
A tense moment unfolded in the courtroom during Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex-trafficking trial as the judge reprimanded Diddy’s attorney for questioning rapper Kid Cudi about his intimate relationship with singer Cassie Ventura.
Judge Arun Subramanian sharply criticized attorney Herman Steel’s line of questioning, which delved into the nature of Cudi’s relationship with Ventura, a key witness for the prosecution. The judge deemed the questions inappropriate and a violation of federal rules protecting the privacy of sex-crime accusers.
“One, the line was crystal clear,” Judge Subramanian stated, his voice rising with anger. “And two, the line was crossed.
Mr. Steel, you knew what you were doing when you did it, and you did it anyway.”
Cudi, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, testified for over an hour, detailing an alleged break-in by Combs at his Los Angeles home in December 2011. Cudi claimed that Combs, enraged over his relationship with Ventura, ransacked the house, opening Christmas presents and even shutting Cudi’s dog in the bathroom. Weeks later, Cudi’s Porsche was firebombed in his driveway.
Ventura, who had an on-and-off relationship with Combs from 2007 to 2018, previously testified that Combs flew into a jealous rage over her relationship with Cudi and even threatened to blow up Cudi’s car.
The prosecution alleges that Combs sex-trafficked Ventura and another woman during their relationship. The trial continues, with the judge’s rebuke adding another layer of drama to the proceedings.
Read More About This Story:
- Judge slams Diddy’s lawyer for asking Kid Cudi if he actually slept with Cassie (businessinsider.com)