Diddy trial: Cassie's stylist Deonte Nash takes the stand again
The Brief
Celebrity stylist Deonte Nash is set to take the stand again on Thursday, as the defense continues their cross-examination in the sex trafficking trial against Sean "Diddy" Combs.
Another key witness, "Mia," who is one of Diddy's former assistants and an alleged victim, is expected to testify through Friday.
Meanwhile, the defense has raised concerns about their limited access to Diddy at the Metropolitan Detention Center.
NEW YORK - Celebrity stylist Deonte Nash is set to take the stand again on Thursday, as the defense continues their cross-examination in the sex trafficking trail against Sean "Diddy" Combs.
What we know
Nash, a close friend of Cassie Ventura, provided detailed testimony about witnessing Diddy physically assault Cassie in her apartment years ago. He also revealed personal conversations with Cassie about her struggles with "freak offs" and drug use.
Another key witness, "Mia," who is one of Diddy's former assistants and an alleged victim, is expected to testify through Friday.
Meanwhile, the defense has raised concerns about their limited access to Diddy at the Metropolitan Detention Center. Despite this, prosecutors say they are ahead of schedule and plan to finish the case by mid-June.
The backstory
On Wednesday, Nash testified that Diddy physically abused Cassie Ventura, threatening her career and reputation with recordings of their encounters.
Nash described incidents of Diddy hitting Cassie, including grabbing her by the hair and bashing her head into a bed frame, and said he intervened multiple times.
Diddy's lawyers requested a mistrial after learning fingerprints from Kid Cudi's burned vehicle were destroyed by police, which an arson investigator confirmed was against protocol. LAPD officer Christopher Ignacio also testified about a suspicious black Escalade linked to Bad Boy Productions fleeing the scene.
Meanwhile, Cassie reportedly gave birth to her third child with husband Alex Fine days after her testimony.
Dig deeper
Federal prosecutors have charged Combs with a series of crimes including:
Count 1: Racketeering Conspiracy. Count One charges that, from at least in or about 2004 through in or about 2024, the defendant participated in a racketeering conspiracy during which he agreed with other employees and associates of his businesses to commit kidnapping, arson, bribery of a witness, obstruction of justice, drug distribution, forced labor, sex trafficking, and transportation for purposes of engaging in prostitution.
Count 2: Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, or Coercion. Count Two charges the defendant with sex trafficking an adult female victim through force, fraud, and coercion between ~2009 and ~2018.
Count 3: Transportation to Engage in Prostitution. Count Three charges the defendant with transporting that female victim and male commercial sex workers to engage in prostitution between ~2009 and ~2018.
Count 4: Sex trafficking. Count Four charges the defendant with sex trafficking a second adult female victim through force, fraud, and coercion between ~2021 and ~2024.
Count 5: Transportation to Engage in Prostitution. Count Five charges the defendant with transporting that second female victim and male commercial sex workers to engage in prostitution between ~2021 and ~2024.
He also faces more than 60 lawsuits from alleged victims.
Cassie says in a lawsuit that Combs subjected her to years of abuse, including beatings and rape. Cassie, whose legal name is Cassandra Ventura, signed to Combs' label in 2005, and the two were on-again-off-again romantic partners for more than a decade starting in 2007. The lawsuit filed in federal court says Combs was "prone to uncontrollable rage" and subjected her to "savage" beatings. It says he plied her with drugs, forced her to have sex with other men, and raped her in her home as she was trying to end the relationship in 2018. Combs, through his attorney, "vehemently denies" the accusations.
If convicted, the 55-year-old Diddy could face 15 years to life in prison.
Diddy was arrested in Oct. 2024 at the Park Hyatt New York in Midtown Manhattan. He's been in jail ever since.
The trial, which began Monday, May 12, with opening statements, is expected to last eight weeks.
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