The trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs continues Thursday before the Federal Court of Manhattan, where rapper Kid Cudi should testify to his relationship with the ex-girlfriend of Combs, Cassie Ventura. George Kaplan, the former Executive Assistant in Combs, continued his testimony in the sexual traffic case.
Federal prosecutors claim that for decades, combs have mistreated, 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. The 55-year-old hip-hop magnate was accused of sex trafficking, racket conspiracy and transport to engage in prostitution.
Last week, Ventura spent four days on the position of the witnesses, telling the court that her decade relationship with Combs was marked by violence and physical violence. Ventura, who is eight months pregnant, described in detail the “Freak offs” supplied by drugs, which would take days to recover.
She also testified that when Combs discovered that she saw Kid Cudi, he rushed with a wine-bottle of wine and threatened to publish “freak off” videos. Combs also threatened to “injure” them both, according to Ventura, and told her that when she and Cudi were outside the country, he would explode Cudi’s car.
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 below for live updates on the trial addressed by various journalists and press organizations in the audience room, including the Associated Press, CNN, NBC News and the Washington Post.
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.
