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The Independent
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Key moments from the third week of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial
Some of Sean 'Diddy' Combs ' ex-employees took a central role in the third week of his sex trafficking trial, including personal assistants who testified that the hip-hop mogul was capricious, controlling and violent. The week began with Capricorn Clark, a personal assistant who was later a global brand director for Combs' company. She recalled witnessing Combs beating his longtime girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie, and said he raged about wanting to kill rapper and romantic rival Kid Cudi. It ended with another ex-assistant, testifying under the pseudonym 'Mia," who alleges Combs raped her during a torturous eight-year tenure working for the rap star. She is the second of three women expected to testify that he sexually assaulted them. Combs has pleaded not guilty. The trial resumes Monday in federal court in Manhattan. Here are key moments from Week 3: Ex-Combs aide says fear stopped her from calling police Former employees of Combs' Bad Boy Entertainment described repeatedly witnessing him beat Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, but said they didn't report the abuse to law enforcement because they feared Combs would harm them. Clark testified that the day she started as Combs' personal assistant in 2004, he threatened he would kill her if her previous work for rival rappers interfered with her work for him. Then, she testified, she watched in shock as Combs viciously assaulted Cassie, his on-again, off-again girlfriend for more than a decade, in 2011 after learning she was dating Cudi. Clark said her 'heart was breaking from seeing her get hit like that," and neither she nor Combs' bodyguard intervened. She said she called Cassie's mother and told her: 'Please help her. I can't call the police, but you can.' Weeks later, Clark said, she reported what happened to Cassie to the president of Bad Boy Records. She also testified about her own run-ins with Combs, telling jurors that he kidnapped her at gunpoint and took her to Cudi's house as he fumed that he was going to kill the rapper. Cudi testified that he believed Cassie and Combs had broken up. He said his relationship with Cassie only lasted a few weeks. Clark said she stayed in Combs' SUV while he broke into the home. She said she was fired weeks later for what she contends was a trumped-up reason. Cassie delivers her third child after testifying for four days One of the week's biggest developments came outside the courtroom. Cassie, 38, delivered her third child less than two weeks after testifying for four days as the prosecution's prize witness. The news of her son's birth Tuesday reached the jury the next day when Cassie's longtime stylist, Deonte Nash, testified that he was still close to Cassie and had sent her well wishes after the birth. Cassie, known for the platinum-selling 2006 hit single 'Me & U,' married personal trainer Alex Fine in September 2019 — about a year after breaking up with Combs for good. Their first daughter, Frankie Stone Fine, was born in 2019. They welcomed a second daughter, Sunny Cinco Fine, in 2021. Attacks on Kid Cudi's property put law enforcement on the stand Jurors heard from a Los Angeles police officer who responded to the December 2011 break-in at Cudi's home and an arson investigator who spoke about his efforts to solve the firebombing of Cudi's Porsche 911 weeks later. Officer Chris Ignacio said he found Christmas gifts, some opened, with luxury watches and purses. Cudi has testified that his dog was traumatized after being locked in a bathroom by intruders. Ignacio said he saw a car with tinted windows registered to Bad Boy outside the house but didn't approach it because he had no proof a crime had occurred. Prosecutors are trying to prove that Combs was behind the break-in and the subsequent firebombing, which involved a Molotov cocktail dropped through a hole sliced in the convertible's fabric roof. Lance Jimenez, a Los Angeles Fire Department arson investigator, said the explosive was made from a 40-ounce Olde English 800 malt liquor bottle and a silky designer handkerchief. 'I personally felt it was targeted,' he said of the Jan. 9, 2012, attack. A stylist delivers answers from the witness stand like nobody else Celebrity stylist Deonte Nash was a witness like no other, adding flair and humor within seconds of taking the stand on Wednesday. Asked if he wanted to testify, he declared: 'Absolutely not!' Nash said he knew Combs as 'Puff' and Cassie as 'Cass.' He said he responded to a Craigslist ad and started working at Bad Boy Entertainment as an intern and then a stylist from 2008 to 2018. Prosecutor Maurene Comey put a picture of Nash in front of him and asked, "Is it a glamour shot of you?' 'Yes. I look amazing,' Nash responded, drawing laughs. Asked what he had heard Combs call Cassie over the years, Nash answered 'Um, Baby Girl, CC, Cass' and then listed a number of slurs against women. Asked how often Combs used one particular slur, Nash said: 'Um, quite a bit. That was his fave.' Nash later testified that Cassie had confided in him that she didn't always want to go along with Combs' demands that she have sex with other men during his drug-fueled 'freak-off' marathons. A second woman testifies she was raped by Combs Mia testified that Combs sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions: forcibly kissing her and putting his hand up her dress at his 40th birthday party, forcing her to perform oral sex as they packed for a trip, and raping her after he climbed into her bed at his Los Angeles home. Mia said she thought her sexual abuse was sporadic enough that each time it occurred, she thought it would never happen again. She said she put on a brave face and continued to work for Combs, in part because she felt shame, blamed herself and feared what would happen if she reported him to authorities. Cassie testified previously that Combs raped her after she broke up with him in 2018. Mia said she witnessed Combs physically attacking Cassie 'all the time' at his houses, her apartments, hotels, events and while traveling. She said Combs also turned his wrath on her, throwing her into a swimming pool, dumping a bucket of ice on her and hurling a bowl of spaghetti in her direction. As prosecution's case shrinks, defense's may expand Prosecutors insisted all week that they are ahead of schedule in presenting their case and said they could be done calling witnesses by mid-June. But Combs lawyer Marc Agnifilo said the defense's presentation might take longer than expected — particularly after prosecutors revealed they were making 'fairly substantial changes' to their plan. 'It may be that because of witnesses the government is not calling, we might have more on the defense case,' he said. As a result, he added, the trial might run to the start of July.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Pic of bikini-clad Rihanna under mirror ceiling resurfaces in Diddy trial after it was sent to him by ‘freak-off victim'
A GOBSMACKING picture of Rihanna in a bikini sent to Sean "Diddy" Combs has resurfaced after it came up as evidence in the rapper's trial. The superstar snap was sent to Diddy by his then-girlfriend Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura amid discussions about "freak-off" sex parties. 7 7 7 The A-lister can be seen lying on a bed and taking the flash photograph in an overhead mirror, with two other women reclining by her side. Rihanna is wearing a bikini and sunglasses in the snap, believed to have been taken sometime in 2012, and the woman on the right is in a similar get-up. The figure on the left is believed to be Capricorn Clark, Diddy's former assistant, who told the court this week she was "fired" during a vacation with Rihanna, reports the Mail. Cassie sent the pic to Diddy in a long text exchange which also included photos of the pair smooching on the stairs of a private jet and Cassie gushing over her ballooning fame. The rapper's defense lawyers have argued these texts show Cassie was enthusiastic about her relationship with Diddy and all of their activities. This is the crux of the trial: whether Cassie was a consensual participant in the "freak-off" sex parties organised by Diddy or coerced into them. The defense argues that Ventura was not only willing but actively encouraged - and sometimes even begged for - the regular freak-offs. Earlier in the trial, Cassie testified that she was forced into the sometimes days-long sordid sex sessions in order to sustain her relationship and career, which she says was under Diddy's control. Diddy has pleaded not guilty to all the charges and denies any wrongdoing. Diddy beat crying Cassie as she cowered in fetal position, claims ex-assistant One of the texts sent by Cassie to Diddy reads: "4,180 likes and azaliea banks hit me on twitter. Missing that!! Going to FO [freak-off] on Tuesday!! These are all things that I need Pop Pop [Diddy] to be with me at. Lol". There is no mention of Rihanna in the messages, and there is no suggestion she was ever involved in the sex parties. Days later, Ventura wrote: "I just want it to be uncontrollable," talking about their upcoming sexual encounter. In another 2012 exchange, Diddy demanded: "FO one last time tonight." Cassie responded with: "What?" Diddy fired back: "You can't read?" Ventura explained: "I don't want to freak off for the last time. I want it to be the first time for the rest of our lives." Later the same day, she followed with: "I want to see you, but I'm emotional right now... I'd rather not do it at all." Elsewhere, Cassie wrote: "Yea. We did a lot... a lot of d****. A lot of partying." And: "I miss you... I miss our love sessions in the afternoon." 7 7 Cassie previously told the court in detail about the long sex sessions with male escorts she was allegedly forced into - and said she complied out of fear of violence. She said: 'You make the wrong face [...] then I was getting hit in the face.' The R'n'B singer said she was a sexual novice when she fell in love with the rapper, having been won over by his wealth and charm. Within a year, she said she agreed to marathon 'freak-off' sex sessions with strangers to prove her love and keep him happy. But Ventura told the New York court that a darker side to Diddy emerged — which she termed 'his abusive side'. She said: '[He was] Very controlling over my life, the things I wanted to do [...] but there's still love there. 'Control was everything from the way I looked, what I was working on that day, who I was speaking to. She said that sex became her job, and that she took part fearing Combs would release videos of the romps. This claim - that Cassie feared compromising footage of herself would be leaked - came up in Wednesday's court session. 7 7 A stylist and friend of Cassie's testified that Diddy threatened to distribute videos of the freak-offs on the internet. Deonte Nash told the courtroom that he remembered a phone conversation when Combs also threatened to send clips to Cassie's parents' workplaces to get them fired. He also said Cassie had confided to him that she "didn't want to" have sex with the men during the parties. Deonte testified that he saw bruises on Ventura's body 'quite often". The trial also descended into chaos when Diddy's his defense team demanded a mistrial be declared - claiming misconduct by the prosecution. Defense lawyers said the prosecution made an "outrageous" suggestion that Diddy could have played a part in the destruction of evidence relating to an arson investigation. Fellow rapper Kid Cudi, who had a relationship with Cassie, testified that Combs broke into his 2012 home and that his Porsche was set ablaze in January 2012.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Pic of bikini-clad Rihanna & Serena Williams resurfaces in Diddy trial after it was sent to star by ‘freak-off victim'
A GOBSMACKING picture of Rihanna and Serena Williams in bikinis sent to Sean "Diddy" Combs has resurfaced after it came up as evidence in the rapper's trial. The superstar snap was sent to Diddy by his then-girlfriend Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura amid discussions about "freak-off" sex parties. 7 7 7 The two A-listers can be seen lying on a bed with a third woman - Rihanna taking the pic in an overhead mirror and Serena reclining by her side. Both are wearing bikinis and sunglasses in the snap, believed to have been taken sometime in 2012, and Serena has also donned a sunhat. The third figure is believed to be Capricorn Clark, Diddy's former assistant, who told the court this week she was "fired" during a vacation with Rihanna, reports the Mail. Cassie sent the pic to Diddy in a long text exchange which also included photos of the pair smooching on the stairs of a private jet, and Cassie gushing over her ballooning fame. The rapper's defense lawyers have argued these texts show Cassie was enthusiastic about her relationship with Diddy and all of their activities. This is the crux of the trial: whether Cassie was a consensual participant in the "freak-off" sex parties organised by Diddy, or coerced into them. The defense argues that Ventura was not only willing, but actively encouraged and sometimes even begged for the freak-offs. Earlier in the trial, Cassie testified that she was forced into the sometimes days-long sordid sex sessions in order to sustain her relationship and career, which she says was under Diddy's control. Diddy has pleaded not guilty to all the charges and denies any wrongdoing. One of the texts sent by Cassie to Diddy reads: "4,180 likes and azaliea banks hit me on twitter. Missing that!! Going to FO [freak-off] on Tuesday!! These are all things that I need Pop Pop [Diddy] to be with me at. Lol". Diddy beat crying Cassie as she cowered in fetal position, claims ex-assistant There is no mention of Rihanna or Serena Williams in the messages, and there is no suggestion either of them were involved in the sex parties. Days later, Ventura wrote: "I just want it to be uncontrollable," talking about their upcoming sexual encounter. In another 2012 exchange, Diddy demanded: "FO one last time tonight." Cassie responded with: "What?" Diddy fired back: "You can't read?" Ventura explained: "I don't want to freak off for the last time. I want it to be the first time for the rest of our lives." Later the same day, she followed with: "I want to see you, but I'm emotional right now... I'd rather not do it at all." Elsewhere, Cassie wrote: "Yea. We did a lot... a lot of d****. A lot of partying." And: "I miss you... I miss out love sessions in the afternoon." 7 7 Cassie previously told the court in detail about the long sex sessions with male escorts she was allegedly forced into - and said she complied out of fear of violence. She said: 'You make the wrong face . . . then I was getting hit in the face.'' The R'n'B singer said she was a sexual novice when she fell in love with the rapper, having been won over by his wealth and charm. Within a year, she said she agreed to marathon 'freak-off' sex sessions with strangers to prove her love and keep him happy. But Ventura told the New York court that a darker side to Diddy emerged — which she termed 'his abusive side'. She said: '[He was] Very controlling over my life, the things I wanted to do . . . but there's still love there. 'Control was everything from the way I looked, what I was working on that day, who I was speaking to. She said that sex became her job, and that she took part fearing the star would release the footage. This claim that Cassie feared compromising footage of herself would be leaked came up in Wednesday's court session. 7 7 A stylist and friend of Cassie's testified that Diddy threatened to distribute videos of the freak-offs on the internet. Deonte Nash told the courtroom that she remembered a phone conversation when Combs also threatened to send them to Cassie's parents' workplaces to get them fired. He also said Cassie had confided to him that she "didn't want to" have sex with the men during the parties. Deonte testified that he saw bruises on Ventura's body 'quite often". The trial also descended into chaos Diddy's his defense team demanded a mistrial - claiming misconduct by the prosecution. Defense lawyers said the prosecution made an "outrageous" suggestion that Diddy could have played a part in the destruction of evidence relating to an arson investigation. Fellow rapper Kid Cudi, who had a relationship with Cassie, testified that Combs broke into his 2012 home and that his Porsche was set ablaze in January 2012.
Fox News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Explosive Testimonies In The Trial Of Sean ‘Diddy' Combs
Wednesday marked Day 15 of the Sean 'Diddy' Combs sex trafficking trial, featuring testimonies from a LAPD officer, and Combs' former stylist Deonte Nash. Earlier this week, jurors heard explosive testimony from Capricorn Clark, Combs' former assistant, who claimed he kidnapped and threatened to kill her while also plotting to murder rapper Kid Cudi. FOX News Correspondent CB Cotton joins from outside the Manhattan court with the latest updates in this shocking trial. Follow Emily on Instagram: @realemilycompagno If you have a story or topic we should feature on the FOX True Crime Podcast, send us an email at: truecrimepodcast@ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
BBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Alleged victim known only as Mia to testify in Diddy trial
Update: Date: 16:20 BST Title: Who is Deonte Nash? Content: Taking the stand this morning is Deonte Nash. Nash is a stylist and friend of Cassie Ventura, Sean "Diddy" Combs's ex-girlfriend, who testified in court earlier this month. Update: Date: 16:16 BST Title: Who is 'Mia', an alleged victim of Sean 'Diddy' Combs? Content: We are due to hear from Comb's former personal assistant and alleged victim later today. They are identified by the pseudonym 'Mia'. But there's little else we know. Another one of Comb's former personal assistants, Capricorn Clark, took to the stand on Tuesday. She testified the hip-hop mogul kidnapped her at gunpoint, then broke into rapper Kid Cudi's home in a plot to kill his love rival. Capricorn Clarke, Combs' former personal assistant, testified on Tuesday Update: Date: 16:15 BST Title: Diddy trial continues as alleged victim set to testify Content: Our coverage of the trial of American music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs continues. Today, an alleged victim formerly employed by Combs with the pseudonym Mia is set to take the stand. Combs, 55, was arrested last September and faces charges including racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted, Combs could be sentenced to life in prison. He has pleaded not guilty and denied all allegations against him. Our reporters Madeline Halpert and Sakshi Venkatraman will be filing lines form inside the New York court, so stick with us.
