Diddy's ex-girlfriend testifies to alleged abuse in rapper's sex trafficking trial
incoming update…
Sean 'Diddy' Combs would threaten Dawn Richard for intervening his relationship with Cassie Ventura, the former Danity Kane singer testified on May 19.
Richard claimed she told Cassie that she should leave Diddy after witnessing the rapper's violent behavior towards his girlfriend. According to Richard, Cassie was torn. The singer testified that Cassie would listen, but she could see the fear.
Diddy allegedly didn't like Richard talking to Cassie. Richard claimed Diddy would tell her, 'I would pay for it' and 'stay the f--- outta my relationship.' Richard claimed Combs told them if they didn't stay in line, there would be consequences.
Richard testified that Diddy would be 'loud, angry, violent…it was mean.' The 'Making the Band' star explained she tried to be as kind as possible to Diddy and tried to "approach Mr. Combs with softness…'
Richard admitted that she ultimately made the decision to stay out of the relationship because she didn't think Cassie was ready to do anything.
Richard testified that she witnessed Diddy attack Cassie 'frequently.'
The singer, who appeared on 'Making the Band,' testified that she witnessed Diddy choke, punch and kick Cassie.
According to Richard, the attacks could be random or occurred when Cassie would speak up for herself. Richard claimed Cassie was normally quiet, but when she spoke up for herself, Diddy would allegedly hurt her.
David James, Sean 'Diddy' Combs' former personal assistant, testified about a run-in with Suge Knight during his testimony on May 20.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Slavik asked James about going to a diner with Diddy's security guard, D-Roc. According to James, after a late night at the studio, he and D-Roc went to the diner to get food for the staff. James claimed he drove, and when they pulled into the parking lot, D-Roc noticed Suge Knight. The musician is widely known as one of Diddy's competitors. D-Roc allegedly went up to Knight and described himself as 'Biggie's Boy.'
While waiting for food, they noticed four black SUVs pull into the parking lot. Knight was in the middle of the parking lot with a gun, according to James. D-Roc said they had to go and they allegedly went back to Diddy's home, where Combs and Cassie were. James testified that it looked like they had been fighting. Cassie looked upset and was crying.
James said he drove D-Roc and Diddy back to the diner. Combs was allegedly in the back seat with three handguns in his lap. However, they did not see Knight at the diner and Combs told James to drive around the block.
The former personal assistant testified that he was 'really shook up by it' and it was the first time working for Diddy where he thought his life was in danger.
During cross-examination, James testified he consulted a lawyer before telling prosecutors about the alleged run-in with Knight.
Diddy's defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo asked what role James had in the alleged incident. James claimed, 'I was there to drive the car.'
Agnifilio commented that James was in a car with two other men and three guns to confront someone else. He then asked why James went.
James replied, 'I don't think I had an option.'
Agnifilo asked why James didn't share the second part of the story regarding the alleged run-in with Knight at his first meeting with the prosecution. James claimed he told the government after seeking legal counsel. The former personal assistant confirmed he was given a proffer agreement, which typically allows the individual to share information about a crime in exchange for certain benefits.
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