The trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs continues before the Manhattan Federal Court on Thursday, with Cassie Ventura, his former girlfriend, returning to the witness for the counter-examination of the defense.
The 55-year-old hip-hop magnate faces charges of sexual trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. Federal prosecutors claim that for decades, the combs have abused, threatened and forced women to participate in marathon sexual meetings called “Freak Offs” and used its commercial empire, as well as firearms, kidnappings and criminal fires, to hide its crimes.
During two days of direct questioning of prosecutors, Ventura told court that her decade relationship with combs was often marked by violence and physical violence, describing in detail the “monsters” fueled by drugs that would take days to recover. The jurors also showed a 2016 surveillance video of combat, cutting and dragging Ventura in the corridor of a Los Angeles hotel.
Combs pleaded not guilty. If he is found guilty, he could risk in life to life. He is detained without surety in a Brooklyn prison. A jury of 12 New Yorkers and six deputies will decide his fate. The trial should last at least eight weeks.
Follow the blog live below for the latest updates on the trial, extracted from various journalists and press organizations in the courtroom, notably the Associated Press, CNN, the New York Times and NBC News.
If you or someone you know suffer from domestic violence, you can call the National Hotline of domestic violence at 1-800-799-Safe (7233). Find more resources here.
