Cassie Ventura's testimony resumes in Sean ‘Diddy' Combs' trial

CNN

16-05-2025

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Title: Here's what else Ventura and Combs texted each other days after hotel altercation
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The jury saw messages between Cassie Ventura and Sean 'Diddy' Combs from a couple days after the Intercontinental Hotel altercation in March 2016.
In the messages, Combs expressed desire to engage sexually with Ventura. Under cross-examination, Ventura confirmed that she thought it was a little strange that he would be suggesting something sexual after what happened at the hotel.
'I felt that way from Friday [referring to their time at the hotel],' Combs wrote. 'What are you doing.''Not a good vibe. We need a different vibe than Friday,' Ventura wrote.
'F**k Friday lol' Combs wrote. 'I don't even want to do that again.''Lol true,' Ventura responded.
In the following messages, Combs referenced a card and told Ventura that he loved her.'Love you,' Ventura responded.
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Title: "I'm not a rag doll, I'm someone's child": Jury sees text message Ventura sent to Combs
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The jury just saw a message Cassie Ventura sent to her former boyfriend Sean 'Diddy' Combs on March 10, 2016, in which she describes the abuse.
'When you get f**ked up the wrong way you always want to show me that you have the power and you knock me around. I'm not a rag doll, I'm someone's child,' the message, which was read aloud in court, said.
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Title: Ventura says she believes Combs was "intoxicated" during 2016 hotel altercation
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Defense attorney Anna Estevao is picking back up where she left off yesterday, questioning Cassie Ventura about Sean 'Diddy' Combs' drug use around the time of the InterContinental altercation in March 2016.
Estevao asked if Ventura told investigators in previous interviews that Combs was 'black out' during that incident.
Today, Ventura said, 'I believe he was intoxicated,' and said everyone's perception of a black out is different.
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Title: Ventura is back on the stand
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The jury is entering, and Cassie Ventura is back on the witness stand.
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Title: How the prosecution's redirect of Cassie Ventura can be most effective, according to former federal prosecutor
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Cassie Ventura will take the stand today during what's expected to be the last opportunity Sean 'Diddy' Combs' defense lawyers have to cross-examine the prosecution's star witness.
The prosecution team will have the opportunity to question Ventura again on redirect, and its strategy will depend on how 'effective' it feels cross-examination went, according to former federal prosecutor and CNN analyst Jennifer Rodgers.
'The most effective redirect in the world is to stand up and say, 'I have no further questions for this witness,'' Rodgers said, adding that if the defense 'haven't made any direct hits, then you don't need to rehabilitate her.'
This will be the last chance Combs' defense has to 'undermine' Ventura as best they can, Rodgers added, saying however, she thinks the defense 'need(s) something so that the jury says, 'wait a minute, maybe it's different than they thought.''
'Remember, this is what makes prosecutors nervous: Cassie Ventura and Sean Combs were together for a long time, he knows a lot more about her than the prosecutors do and her own lawyers do,' Rodgers said. 'So what over those 10 years can he use and his team use to try to get her to admit something or to undercut her credibility or the story that she's told.'
Rodgers added she thinks that because of this, prosecutors may still be 'on the edge of their seats' waiting to see if a 'surprise' comes out today.
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Title: Defense asks to show Ventura video of Combs talking about God
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The defense wants to show Cassie Ventura a video of Sean 'Diddy' Combs on a hike in the woods talking about God.
Combs sent her the video from rehab one month after the 2016 altercation at the InterContinental hotel, his lawyers say.
Combs' lawyers argued they need to show Ventura the video because she had testified that Combs never went to rehab while they were together.
Judge Arun Subramanian said Ventura could review the video, but it cannot be submitted into evidence for the jury.
He reviewed the video in the courtroom, but only the audio could be heard in open court.
'Just keeping you posted, 'cause as I grow I want you to know, I'm growing, and I want you to grow with me,' Combs could be heard saying in the video.
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Title: Prosecutors want defense to finish cross-examining Ventura by 4:30 p.m. ET today
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Prosecutors and defense attorneys are discussing the remainder of the defense's cross-examination of Cassie Ventura.
The prosecution submitted a letter earlier today asking the judge to ensure her cross-examination is finished by 4:30 p.m. ET today.
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Title: The judge is on the bench
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Judge Arun Subramanian is on the bench and the attorneys are in the courtroom.
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Title: Why the defense's strategy has been "unusual and effective," according to CNN legal analyst
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CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig said the defense team's cross-examination strategy for Cassie Ventura has been 'both unusual and effective.'
Usually, Honig said, there's a tendency for the defense lawyers to try to 'destroy' the character of a key witness. However, Sean 'Diddy' Combs' legal team has not taken that approach in his federal criminal trial.
'I think they've calculated correctly that she was a credible, sympathetic, likable witness. … They're not trying to tear her down. They're basically trying to undermine this notion that she was coerced using her own words. I think it's a smart tactic, but I should say it reads better on paper than apparently it's playing in the courtroom,' said Honig, a former assistant US attorney for the Southern District of New York, citing reporters in the room who said the cross-examination felt rather long and repetitive.
When asked about texts from Ventura agreeing to participate in 'Freak Offs' with Combs, Honig said the prosecution team needs to have her 'put those texts in context' when they get to ask her questions after cross-examination.
'Look, this is a problem for the prosecution. I mean, they have to show beyond a reasonable doubt that she was coerced,' he explained.
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Title: What to expect today: There's a sense of urgency as Cassie Ventura resumes testimony
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Judge Arun Subramanian has told attorneys he wants to have Cassie Ventura, the ex-girlfriend of Sean 'Diddy' Combs and one of his accusers, off the stand today — and that the defense should finish its cross-examination before lunch.
That's because Ventura is heavily pregnant and, as prosecutor Maurene Comey put it, could have the baby as soon as 'over the weekend.'
The defense says it's working as quickly as it can through a slew of exhibits, including graphic text messages between Ventura and Combs. Attorney Marc Agnifilo said they'd do their best to finish cross-examination in time for lunch today, but that he couldn't make any promises.
Subramanian has said that, given the prosecution got a day and a half for direct examination, the defense should also take a day and a half for cross-examination.
He noted that he technically has the authority to cut off cross-examination when it has matched the duration of the direct testimony, though he didn't necessarily indicate he would do so. The judge left open the possibility of granting the defense additional time today after lunch, if needed.
Assistant US Attorney Emily Johnson has said she expects to need about an hour of redirect examination with Ventura today whenever the defense is finished.
Setting up the rest of the trial: Ventura's answers to questions from both the prosecution and defense are setting up the more fleshed-out arguments lawyers from each side will make over the next several weeks of Combs' criminal trial, making her complete participation critical.
Once she's done, the testimony will be bolstered by expert witnesses for each side, trial consultant Richard Gabriel told CNN yesterday. Next, the lawyers will take what Ventura said on the stand and argue how it applies to actual legal statutes.
Today will be Ventura's fourth day testifying.
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Title: Key takeaways from day 3 of Cassie Ventura's testimony
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Cassie Ventura faced cross-examination from Sean 'Diddy' Combs' legal team yesterday in his federal criminal trial.
Ventura, a former girlfriend of Combs and one of his accusers, has been on the stand since Tuesday afternoon. The prosecution's star witness testified about the beginning of the relationship and her participation in 'Freak Offs,' which is what Combs called the drug-fueled sex performances he orchestrated.
In court, the jury saw affectionate messages between Ventura and Combs, but also texts that showed Ventura's frustrations and hesitancies.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution and could face up to life in prison.
Here's what to know: