Latest news with #DavidJames
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Diddy rival details 'conspiracy' against him after trial heard he was target of 'armed' plot
Marion 'Suge' Knight insists there is a conspiracy to have him killed but he still believes his former rival, Sean ' Diddy ' Combs, shouldn't be behind bars. Knight, who is serving a 28-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter, has been mentioned several times by key witnesses in Combs' criminal trial in Manhattan. Last week, an emotional Cassie Ventura — Combs' former girlfriend — testified Diddy stopped one of their 'freak off' sex sessions in 2008 because the disgraced Bad Boy mogul was told Knight was at Mel's Diner, a popular restaurant in LA. Knight's name was mentioned again but this time by Combs' former assistant David James, who testified on Tuesday. Combs' former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, testified she was forced to have sex with male escorts and participate in 'freak offs' allegedly directed by Diddy. She also testified Combs stopped one of these sex sessions after he was told Knight had a run-in with Diddy's associates in 2008 James testified about the diner run-in with Knight, who allegedly responded, 'What you doin' in my city' when he was approached by one of Combs' associates. According to James's testimony, when Combs heard about the incident, the disgraced Bad Boy mogul allegedly grabbed three guns from his mansion in LA and instructed James to drive back to the diner. In an exclusive statement to Knight said the coinciding testimonies are not an accident. 'Look, it's clear now — both Cassie and David James told the truth under oath,' Knight said. 'Last week and again today, they each said the same thing. And when two different people say the same thing on the stand, that ain't no coincidence. That's truth finally breaking through the noise.' James testified when Combs and his posse returned to the diner with weapons in tow, Knight was already gone. 'The real blessing? No violence went down that day,' Knight told of the 2008 incident. 'Because if it had, that would've been a dark day for hip hop — real ugly, real fast. But I thank God it didn't go there.' A tearful James testified that the Mel's Diner incident was the last straw for him. 'This was the first time as his assistant that I realized my life was in danger,' James said in front of jurors on Tuesday. 'I told them I want to leave but gave six months notice so I could train the next assistant.' Knight and Combs' history as fierce rivals became hip hop lore after the deaths of their close friends and their respective record labels' top artists, Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. But now the former rivals and music moguls are both fighting for their lives in court. Combs' federal criminal trial is expected to go on for about two months. Diddy, 55, faces life in prison if convicted of all charges, which include racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has plead not guilty to all charges. Meanwhile, Knight, who is already serving a 28-year sentence in a San Diego prison, has recently filed a petition challenging a prior conviction. In his petition filed on March 15, Knight claims a 1995 assault conviction resulted in triggering California's Three Strikes Law, which affected his 2018 manslaughter case. Knight was charged with murder after he plowed his red Ford Raptor outside Tam's Burgers stand in Compton in Jan. 29, 2015 during the filming of a promotional video for the N.W.A biopic Straight Outta Compton. During the collision, Knight's pickup hit Terry Carter, 55, and 51-year-old Cle "Bone" Sloan, a technical adviser on the movie, who survived. Knight plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter. But in his March 15 petition, Knight claims there is new evidence that his former lawyer in the 1995 assault case, David Kenner, allegedly only saw him as a 'cash cow' and failed to perform his duties as his counsel. Knight was accused of pistol whipping and forcing two aspiring rappers to strip down to their underwear in 1992. Knight pleaded no contest to the assault charges in February 1995 and accepted a nine-year suspended sentence with five years of probation. In his petition, Knight alleges former LA deputy district attorney Lawrence Longo had an 'unreported financial relationship' with Kenner, who he alleges used his position as Death Row's counsel to execute deals. One of those deals, Knight alleges in the petition, involves Longo's daughter, who allegedly received a $50,000 recording contract from Death Row Records shortly after Knight's plea deal in his 1995 case. Longo not only helped broker the plea deal but also oversaw Knight's probation, the former Death Row Records CEO claims in the petition. Knight also alleged in the petition that Longo's family leased a Malibu property to Kenner, with rental payments sourced from Death Row Records totaling over $127,000. He also alleges in the petition that Longo has a history of making racists remarks regarding Black defendants. Longo was eventually fired by the LA County DA's office in 1997. has reached out to Kenner. Longo passed away in 2014. Knight said while Combs' alleged crimes are just coming to the surface, he has always had a target on his back. 'Still, let's keep it real: as a Black man, how you're treated depends on how you look, how you act and how much you play the game. 'If you're in shinny suits, 'dancing all in the videos', — people treat you one way. But if you're Suge Knight — if you're solid, from Compton and stand your ground — you're treated like a criminal, no matter what the facts are.' Knight, 60, maintains his innocence in the Tams incident despite having pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in September 2018. 'In 2015, I was ambushed by men with guns by Tams. I acted in self-defense. But I'm the one sitting in a cell. 'I was shot seven times at 1 Oak nightclub months before the Tams incident — cameras caught it, authorities have documented that they know who did it and still no arrest. Why? Because it's me.' After hearing about Ventura and David's testimony in Combs' criminal trial, the former Death Row CEO said he realizes his life was always in danger. 'Now Cassie and David's testimony? Sounds to me like there was a real setup in play— like a conspiracy to kill me,' Knight told 'Yet I'm the one behind bars.' Nevertheless, Knight said he wants a surprisingly different outcome for his former rival. 'Still — Free Puff. I don't want to see no Black man in prison. Not even him,' Knight said.
South Wales Argus
23-05-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Grade II listed former chapel up for sale in Cwmbran
According to the estate agent, the building has been "substantially renovated over many years" by the current owners and now features "many bespoke features sourced by themselves". The property, which sits on the outskirts of Cwmbran in a semi-rural location, offers panoramic views over fields and countryside at the front. The estate agent describes this as a "very rare opportunity" for buyers seeking a home with "lots of character". The detached house provides three bedrooms, three bathrooms and two reception rooms. Entry is through a vestibule with double doors, arch double glazed windows, and original flagstones. The ground floor includes a shower room with a corner cubicle and wood and leather panelling, a utility room fitted with cupboards and Indian slate flooring, and a rear entrance porch with space for laundry appliances. (Image: Zoopla) (Image: Zoopla) (Image: Zoopla) (Image: Zoopla) The kitchen is fitted with oak wall and floor units, a Bosch induction hob and electric oven, integrated fridge and freezer, and slate flagstones. The lounge and dining area features a stone facing wall with an inglenook fireplace, wood burner, oak mantle, and original flagstone flooring. Three arch double glazed windows at the front provide countryside views. A feature wood staircase leads to a galleried landing with wood balustrades, beams, and a church pew seat. Bedrooms include fitted wardrobes and stained glass windows. The main bedroom has an en-suite with a bespoke River Boulder sink. The family bathroom features a roll top bath with claw feet and a petrified wood sink. Outside, the property is approached via double wrought iron gates and a block paved drive, offering parking and landscaped gardens enclosed by dry stone walls. There is a treatment centre, wood store, and garden shed at the front. For more information, contact David James estate agents on 01291 639050.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Suge Knight details 'conspiracy' against him after Diddy trial heard he was target of rapper's 'armed ambush'
Marion 'Suge' Knight insists there is a conspiracy to have him killed but he still believes his former rival, Sean ' Diddy ' Combs, shouldn't be behind bars. Knight, who is serving a 28-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter, has been mentioned several times by key witnesses in Combs' criminal trial in Manhattan. Last week, an emotional Cassie Ventura — Combs' former girlfriend — testified Diddy stopped one of their 'freak off' sex sessions in 2008 because the disgraced Bad Boy mogul was told Knight was at Mel's Diner, a popular restaurant in LA. Knight's name was mentioned again but this time by Combs' former assistant David James, who testified on Tuesday. Combs' former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, testified she was forced to have sex with male escorts and participate in 'freak offs' allegedly directed by Diddy. She also testified Combs stopped one of these sex sessions after he was told Knight had a run-in with Diddy's associates in 2008 James testified about the diner run-in with Knight, who allegedly responded, 'What you doin' in my city' when he was approached by one of Combs' associates. According to James's testimony, when Combs heard about the incident, the disgraced Bad Boy mogul allegedly grabbed three guns from his mansion in LA and instructed James to drive back to the diner. In an exclusive statement to Knight said the coinciding testimonies are not an accident. 'Look, it's clear now — both Cassie and David James told the truth under oath,' Knight said. 'Last week and again today, they each said the same thing. And when two different people say the same thing on the stand, that ain't no coincidence. That's truth finally breaking through the noise.' James testified when Combs and his posse returned to the diner with weapons in tow, Knight was already gone. 'The real blessing? No violence went down that day,' Knight told of the 2008 incident. 'Because if it had, that would've been a dark day for hip hop — real ugly, real fast. But I thank God it didn't go there.' A tearful James testified that the Mel's Diner incident was the last straw for him. 'This was the first time as his assistant that I realized my life was in danger,' James said in front of jurors on Tuesday. 'I told them I want to leave but gave six months notice so I could train the next assistant.' Knight and Combs' history as fierce rivals became hip hop lore after the deaths of their close friends and their respective record labels' top artists, Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. But now the former rivals and music moguls are both fighting for their lives in court. Combs' federal criminal trial is expected to go on for about two months. Diddy, 55, faces life in prison if convicted of all charges, which include racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has plead not guilty to all charges. Meanwhile, Knight, who is already serving a 28-year sentence in a San Diego prison, has recently filed a petition challenging a prior conviction. In his petition filed on March 15, Knight claims a 1995 assault conviction resulted in triggering California's Three Strikes Law, which affected his 2018 manslaughter case. Knight was charged with murder after he plowed his red Ford Raptor outside Tam's Burgers stand in Compton in Jan. 29, 2015 during the filming of a promotional video for the N.W.A biopic Straight Outta Compton. During the collision, Knight's pickup hit Terry Carter, 55, and 51-year-old Cle "Bone" Sloan, a technical adviser on the movie, who survived. Knight plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter. But in his March 15 petition, Knight claims there is new evidence that his former lawyer in the 1995 assault case, David Kenner, allegedly only saw him as a 'cash cow' and failed to perform his duties as his counsel. Knight was accused of pistol whipping and forcing two aspiring rappers to strip down to their underwear in 1992. Knight pleaded no contest to the assault charges in February 1995 and accepted a nine-year suspended sentence with five years of probation. In his petition, Knight alleges former LA deputy district attorney Lawrence Longo had an 'unreported financial relationship' with Kenner, who he alleges used his position as Death Row's counsel to execute deals. One of those deals, Knight alleges in the petition, involves Longo's daughter, who allegedly received a $50,000 recording contract from Death Row Records shortly after Knight's plea deal in his 1995 case. Longo not only helped broker the plea deal but also oversaw Knight's probation, the former Death Row Records CEO claims in the petition. Knight also alleged in the petition that Longo's family leased a Malibu property to Kenner, with rental payments sourced from Death Row Records totaling over $127,000. He also alleges in the petition that Longo has a history of making racists remarks regarding Black defendants. Longo was eventually fired by the LA County DA's office in 1997. has reached out to Kenner. Longo passed away in 2014. Knight said while Combs' alleged crimes are just coming to the surface, he has always had a target on his back. 'Still, let's keep it real: as a Black man, how you're treated depends on how you look, how you act and how much you play the game. 'If you're in shinny suits, 'dancing all in the videos', — people treat you one way. But if you're Suge Knight — if you're solid, from Compton and stand your ground — you're treated like a criminal, no matter what the facts are.' Knight, 60, maintains his innocence in the Tams incident despite having pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in September 2018. 'In 2015, I was ambushed by men with guns by Tams. I acted in self-defense. But I'm the one sitting in a cell. 'I was shot seven times at 1 Oak nightclub months before the Tams incident — cameras caught it, authorities have documented that they know who did it and still no arrest. Why? Because it's me.' After hearing about Ventura and David's testimony in Combs' criminal trial, the former Death Row CEO said he realizes his life was always in danger. 'Now Cassie and David's testimony? Sounds to me like there was a real setup in play— like a conspiracy to kill me,' Knight told 'Yet I'm the one behind bars.' Nevertheless, Knight said he wants a surprisingly different outcome for his former rival. 'Still — Free Puff. I don't want to see no Black man in prison. Not even him,' Knight said.
The Herald
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald
Sean 'Diddy' Combs took ecstasy shaped like Obama's face, jury hears
Sean 'Diddy' Combs once took an ecstasy pill shaped like former president Barack Obama's face, the hip-hop mogul's former personal assistant testified on Tuesday at Combs' racketeering and sex trafficking trial. David James, who worked for Combs from 2007 to 2009, told jurors during the second week of the trial in Manhattan federal court he frequently saw Combs take drugs, including opiates during the day and ecstasy at night. James said he sometimes picked up drugs for Combs and his friends and often brought narcotics and other personal items such as lubricant and condoms to Combs' hotel rooms. He said he once saw Combs take an ecstasy pill shaped like a 'former president's face'. When prosecutor Christy Slavik asked him which president, James responded, 'president Obama.' Prosecutors say Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, forced women to take part in days-long, drug-fuelled sexual performances known as 'Freak Offs' from 2004 to 2024. They say his employees helped by buying drugs, booking and stocking hotel rooms and giving Combs cash to pay male sex workers to take part in the parties. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty. His lawyers have acknowledged Combs had substance abuse issues and was an abusive romantic partner, but say the sex acts described by prosecutors were consensual.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' former assistant reveals the music mogul had a pill with Barack Obama's face amongst other shocking pills
Every day of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' trial bares with a new and eyebrow-scrunching surprise. One of which is revealed that Diddy, in his travel bag pack of 25 to 30 pill bottles, kept a unique pill which is structured to be of the 44th President of the United States Barack Obama . What pills did Sean 'Diddy' Combs travel with? According to E! News, Diddy's former personal assistant, David James, appeared in front of the court to testify about the music mogul's pill choices. Revealing the details, James admitted that in the bunch of various undisclosed pills, one was with the former president's face. Furthermore, David went on to disclose the stash of pills that Diddy regularly travelled with during the 'hotel days,' including Percocet, Tylenol, ecstasy, Viagra, weight loss pills, and supplements to increase the sperm count. Additionally, the disgraced singer carried $10,000 in cash with him amid the travels, and 'sometimes so much more,' as revealed by the former employee. Elsewhere in the testimony, James stated that Combs would ask him to purchase baby oil, lubricants and contraceptives, and would 'personally' reimburse so that the money does not reflect in the company books. When David James left Sean 'Diddy' Combs Previously, David James had admitted that he did not find Combs a very 'gracious' boss. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Invest in Kolkata's Iconic Twin Towers Today Keventer ONE Undo However, he felt the need to leave him after Diddy allegedly threatened musical rival Suge Knight in 2008, former record executive who is currently serving 28-year jail time for manslaughter and hit-and-run) with firearms. 'I was really shook up by it. This was the first time as his assistant that I realized my life was in danger. I told them I want to leave but give six months notice so I could train the next assistant,' David James admitted on the court stand, according to NBC News. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
