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3 days ago
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Diddy trial recap: Stylist Deonte Nash says Diddy beat Cassie, smashed her head on bed frame
This page reflects the news from Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial on Wednesday, May 28. For the latest updates from Diddy's trial, read USA TODAY's live coverage for Thursday, May 29. This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. Deonte Nash, a friend and stylist of Cassie Ventura Fine, testified in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal trial that the former hip-hop mogul threatened to release recordings of Ventura Fine having sex and repeatedly beat her, including bashing her head on a bed frame. Nash said Combs tried to control all aspects of Ventura Fine's life during their decade-long relationship, from her music to her social circle and more. "It drove her crazy. She would cry," Nash, who also worked as a stylist with Combs, told jurors May 28. Earlier in the day, prosecutors questioned two emergency officials on allegations that Combs broke into fellow rapper Kid Cudi's home, as well as a separate incident that saw Kid Cudi's Porsche explode in his driveway. Diddy on trial newsletter: Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex-crimes charges Chris Ignacio, a Los Angeles police officer, told jurors he saw a vehicle registered to Combs' company rushing away from the home of Kid Cudi, born Scott Mescudi, the night of the alleged break-in. Several witnesses have claimed Combs wanted to confront Mescudi after finding out he was dating Ventura Fine. Combs, 55, was arrested in September 2024 and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty. More: Diddy's ex-employee says music executive warned her 'to leave Puff alone' Nash told jurors he frequently saw Diddy be violent with Cassie, hitting her face and giving her black eyes. He also alleged Combs once beat Ventura Fine so badly in a hotel room that she had a bloody gash over her eye, requiring stitches. The stylist said he and a female staffer, whom prosecutors are identifying as "Mia," jumped on Diddy's back to get him to stop in the 2013 or 2014 incident, but he was in such a rage that he threw them both off. Nash testified that Cassie was asleep on the couch and that an irate Combs was banging on the door until Nash opened it. Combs barged in and screamed at her for not answering her phone ahead of the OVO music festival in Toronto, which they were planning to attend together. Combs then grabbed Ventura Fine by the hair, pulling her off the couch and hitting her "pretty hard," Nash testified. "He was in a rage." More: Suge Knight says Diddy should 'walk free' while other execs face charges At one point, as Combs was hitting her, Ventura Fine hit her head on the bed frame and blood began spurting out, Nash said. "When he noticed the blood, he just panicked," Nash said of Combs. Then, an angry Combs said to them, "Look at what y'all made me do." Content warning: See photos prosecutors released of injuries to Diddy's ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura Fine Nash said he went to call 911, but Combs said Ventura Fine would go to a plastic surgeon with his security person, known as D-Roc. When Nash saw her the next day, "she had stitches on her forehead, a gash on her forehead." Nash described another violent incident in 2013 or 2014, when an angry Combs allegedly came to Ventura Fine's Los Angeles apartment, pleading with her to speak privately. After a few minutes, they emerged from her bedroom with Combs allegedly grabbing her by the hair and jacket and pushing her halfway out the door while yelling at her to get out of her own home. Nash said there were at least four security guards with Combs that night who initially blocked him from leaving the building, but they eventually let him drive Cassie to safety. But while Nash and Ventura Fine were in the vehicle, Combs called them and ordered them to pull over. When he caught up, Nash said the rapper came to the car window and again threatened to release footage of Ventura Fine having sex. He allegedly told his then-girlfriend that he "was the only one that protected her" as she wept. Obama, Britney Spears, Michael B. Jordan : All the celebs mentioned during the Diddy trial Nash told the court he helped Ventura Fine get into a cab to flee to a hotel. When he returned home, Nash said Combs and his bodyguards entered and searched for Cassie, even looking in the closet and oven. Asked how many times he had helped Ventura Fine hide from Combs, Nash said, "Too many to count." Nash told the court he witnessed Combs threaten Ventura Fine multiple times, saying the rapper would talk about beating his then-girlfriend and refuse to release the music she was recording. He also said Combs threatened to send Ventura Fine's sex tapes to her parents' jobs and get them fired. "It drove her crazy. She would cry," he explained, saying that she would stay inside for days over the threats and "go into a cocoon." Those weren't the only controlling behaviors Nash mentioned in his testimony. He recalled another intense incident when he and Ventura Fine were at a club with singer Rita Ora. Combs called Ventura Fine and demanded that she immediately come to his home, in addition to telling Nash to stop spending time with Ventura Fine. More: Cassie alleges horrific abuse by Diddy. Why survivors see themselves in her story Nash also explained that, as Ventura Fine's stylist, he always had to get Combs' approval on her outfits. Recalling one incident at a 2014 Oscars afterparty, Nash said when he and Ventura Fine arrived and her hair was down, Combs approached and said, "I thought I told you that she needed to wear her hair up." Angrily, Combs grabbed Nash and lifted him, he said, detailing his mad search around the party for hairpins to put Ventura Fine's hair up. When he found them and changed her look, Combs saw her and said, "Oh, she does look better with her hair down," Nash testified. He also alleged Combs tried to control Cassie's music, testifying that when her mixtape "RockaByeBaby" was released for free online in 2013 and "did really well," Combs still refused to put it on any streaming platforms. Before breaking for lunch, jurors heard testimony from Deonte Nash, who worked as a stylist for Combs and Ventura Fine between 2009 and 2018. Nash was cheeky on the stand and quickly told prosecutors he didn't want to be in the courtroom. Nash said he became particularly close to Ventura Fine during his employment, and he heard Combs call her demeaning, sexist names multiple times. Combs was usually irate when he said these kinds of things, the stylist noted, and in response, "she would be sad, sometimes cry, sometimes go into a depression." Midway during court proceedings on May 28, Combs' lawyers moved for a mistrial, arguing that prosecutors were improperly trying to suggest that the hip-hop mogul had evidence tied to an alleged arson incident destroyed. Defense lawyer Alexandra Shapiro contended, without the jury present, that the line of questioning by prosecutors was designed to infer that "Mr. Combs could buy his way out of this (investigation into the break-in and firebombing at Mescudi's home). We believe the questions were designed to play right into that." U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian swiftly denied the request. "There was absolutely no testimony from the witness that was prejudicial in any way, shape or form," Subramanian said. Los Angeles Police Department officer Chris Ignacio testified about Combs' alleged break-in at Mescudi's home. When Ignacio arrived at the house in Los Angeles on Dec. 22, 2011, he said he noticed a black Cadillac Escalade that "took off up the hill" when law enforcement arrived. When police searched Mescudi's home, the front door was unlocked, and they noted a table had some "high-value watches and purses." However, the furniture and other belongings didn't appear disturbed. As officers left, they said they saw the same Escalade coming down the hill. When they looked up the license plates on the vehicle, the registered owner was allegedly Bad Boy Productions, Combs' longtime business. Combs' lawyer Brian Steel pressed the police officer about the incident during his cross-examination. Ignacio clarified that he hadn't seen a car chase – only the black vehicle pulling away from the house. He also told the court Mescudi hadn't mentioned any guns in the home, though previous witnesses, including Clark and Ventura Fine, said Combs brought a weapon with him during the alleged break-in. Lance Jimenez, an arson investigator for the Los Angeles Fire Department, took the stand to describe the explosion that wrecked Kid Cudi's Porsche. Jimenez confirmed a Molotov cocktail was responsible for the explosion, calling it a "makeshift firebomb." Jimenez said it appeared the canvas roof of the vehicle was cut before a glass bottle containing gasoline was dropped inside. Normally, the bottle used in a Molotov cocktail breaks and causes a larger explosion, Jimenez testified, but in this case, the bottle remained intact. The witness said the flames easily could have spread to Mescudi's home had the bottle exploded from inside the vehicle. The makeshift bomb was made with an Old English malt liquor bottle and a "designer handkerchief," Jimenez said, describing the garment as having "fancy lines" and "silky material." "In my opinion, it was targeted," Jimenez said of the fire, noting that the car wasn't easily visible from the street. Another vehicle was also parked behind the Porsche, which wasn't damaged at all in the flames. Jimenez said LAFD sent out a few of the items found on the scene for DNA testing. There was no DNA present on a disposable lighter or handkerchief, but on the glass bottle, there was a "partial profile" of a "female contributor." However, officials haven't matched the DNA to a specific perpetrator. In the weeks after the arson incident, Jimenez said he reached out to former Combs assistant Capricorn Clark and other potential witnesses several times. At one point, the LAPD arson investigator said Clark's brother answered her phone and told him to leave her alone. Jimenez said he also tried to reach out to Ventura Fine, but he was never able to get in touch. In cross-examination, Combs' lawyers returned to the potential hit for female DNA on the Molotov cocktail bottle used in the car explosion. They asked the investigator if the sample came back around the "same time you reached out to Capricorn Clark," and if this "would have been after you got this report," repeatedly implying it was Clark's DNA on the bottle. Jimenez said he didn't remember the exact timeline of when he received the DNA report, and that it could have been within six months to a year after the incident. Prosecutor Christy Slavik later confirmed with Jimenez that he reached out to Clark within weeks of the incident, but it was not because of the DNA report. Clark alleged, through tears on May 27, that Combs kidnapped her and threatened to kill her multiple times while she worked for him. Clark testified that she was once held against her will for five days after several pieces of jewelry went missing at the rapper's home. Clark's testimony came after a slew of witnesses, including Ventura Fine's mother Regina Ventura, Danity Kane alum Dawn Richard and Mescudi, appeared in court last week to share harrowing accounts of Combs' alleged abuse. Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling lawsuit that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry. He was arrested in September 2024 and has been charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all five counts. Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity. Using RICO law, which is typically aimed at targeting multi-person criminal organizations, prosecutors allege that Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in "freak offs" — sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors allege they have video of. The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings. USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom. Contributing: USA TODAY staff; Reuters If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (4673) and and en Español If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Diddy trial recap: Cassie's friend says Diddy bashed her head
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3 days ago
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Diddy trial recap: Former assistant Mia says Diddy sexually assaulted her, she feared he'd kill Cassie
This page reflects the news from Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial on Thursday, May 29. For the latest updates from Diddy's trial, read USA TODAY's live coverage for Friday, May 30. This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. A former assistant to Sean "Diddy" Combs told the jury in his federal sex-crimes trial that he physically, emotionally and sexually abused her, and she feared the former hip-hop mogul would kill his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura Fine. "He's thrown things at me. He's thrown me against the wall. He's thrown me into a pool," the woman, testifying using the pseudonym Mia, said. "He also sexually assaulted me." On the stand May 29, Mia was emotional, slow and considered in her responses. Her voice often cracked as she teared up while alleging Combs attacked her and Ventura Fine multiple times. Judge Arun Subramanian told jurors today that Mia would be using a pseudonym for the duration of the trial, and nobody was to try to take pictures of her or share her appearance in any way. Diddy May 28 trial recap: Stylist Deonte Nash says Diddy beat Cassie, smashed her head on bed frame Mia's testimony comes after Deonte Nash, a friend and stylist of Ventura Fine, said Combs tried to control all aspects of Ventura Fine's life during their decade-long relationship. "It drove her crazy. She would cry," Nash said. He also alleged Diddy repeatedly beat her, including bashing her head on a bed frame. Combs, 55, was arrested in September 2024 and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty. Who is testifying in the Diddy trial? Cassie, Kid Cudi, more who have taken the stand Mia, who worked for Combs from 2009 to 2017, testified that he sexually assaulted her on "more than one" occasion. She spoke calmly about how it was a chaotic and toxic, but also exciting, work environment where the "highs were really high but the lows were really, really low." She said her working conditions depended on Combs' mood, alleging that the mogul threw things at her, pushed her against a wall, tossed her into a pool, used a bucket on her head and slammed her arm into a door. The former assistant alleged that the first time Combs sexually assaulted her was at the Plaza Hotel, when they were in New York City celebrating his 40th birthday in 2009. Mia recalled having two shots that were affecting her much more than alcohol typically impacted her memory and balance. She said Combs approached her in a penthouse suite and sexually assaulted her, and she woke up sitting on a chair in the morning. Who is 'Mia'? Why you won't see photos of Diddy's ex-personal assistant during trial "I thought it would never happen again. He was so drunk. I would never tell anybody," Mia told the court. "It was probably a huge accident. He probably wouldn't remember that." In later years, Combs allegedly assaulted her several additional times, including at his Los Angeles home and on a private plane. Mia cried as she described the alleged attacks. "Did you actually tell him no?" prosecutors asked. Mia said she felt she couldn't tell him "no" about anything. "I couldn't tell him 'no' about a sandwich," she said. She worried that he would "fire me and ruin my future. I knew his power and his control over me. I didn't want to lose everything I had worked so hard for." After Combs' alleged assaults, Mia explained, she had the mentality that she needed to "keep it moving." She would continue working because "there wasn't time to think or reflect," and she would "act like it never happened," she said on the stand. Mia described the experiences as "the most traumatizing thing, the worst thing, the most shameful thing" to ever happen to her. Combs allegedly ensured her silence by threatening to tell others, including Ventura Fine, while also claiming Mia was the initiator of these sexual acts. More: Could Trump pardon Diddy and end his trial? She was convinced she couldn't take her allegations to human resources at Combs' business or the police, she said. HR staff were there to help Combs punish employees, she alleged. Her run-ins with law enforcement, in which they allegedly showed deference to Combs, convinced her that filing a police report wouldn't go anywhere. Mia had thought that "I was going to die" without having told anyone about the assaults. Prosecutors asked Mia about a party at Prince's house in 2011 or 2012. At the time, Mia and Cassie were staying at a hotel without Combs, but a friend called Ventura Fine to tell her about "an intimate" gathering at the late musician's home. She said they debated like teenagers about sneaking out and eventually decided to go. At the party, they danced and hung out with friends as Prince performed. But Mia saw Combs walking in, and she and Cassie "booked it," running through the house and into the yard, she said. "Puff caught up to Cass and had her on the ground," Mia said. "He started to attack her, but Prince's security swiftly intervened." The next day, Mia said she was told Combs was suspending her without pay because she was "being insubordinate." More: Cassie, Michael B. Jordan relationship takes center stage in Diddy trial Mia choked up as she described an alleged incident where she was afraid that Combs would "kill" Ventura Fine. She said she was with Ventura Fine and Nash at the singer's Los Angeles apartment, helping her pack for a trip. They heard banging on the door, and a "very irate" Combs let himself in with a key and began screaming at Ventura Fine, asking if she had been drinking alcohol and saying she wasn't answering her phone. Combs came after Mia and Nash, acting "crazy aggressive" and asking if Ventura Fine had been drinking, Mia said. He then allegedly started attacking Ventura Fine and threw her to the ground. Mia said she and Nash "jumped in and tried to stop it," but Combs began attacking Nash, and Mia said she feared for the stylist's life too. Mia jumped on Combs' back, and he threw her off against the wall. "I realized we were in real danger," she said. Combs grabbed Ventura Fine, picked her up and threw her on the edge of the bed, where she hit her head, Mia testified. "I thought he was going to kill her," she said. "She started gushing blood and ended up with a pretty big scar on her forehead." While Ventura Fine lay on the floor bleeding, Combs told Mia to call an assistant and say that Ventura Fine was "drunk and hit her head," she testified. Mia said she complied because she "thought that was the only way to get her help." Looking back, Mia said this incident was the "first time I realized the severe danger we were actually in." Mia said she took the job as Combs' assistant because she wanted to break into the entertainment industry. She previously worked as comedian Mike Myers' assistant, but she was hired by Combs when she was about 26, she recalled. Working for Combs quickly turned inappropriate and even controlling, Mia alleged. She recalled Combs answering the door in his underwear while she was still interviewing for her role. Once she got the job, her work hours were so intense that she effectively moved into Combs' Los Angeles home with him. There, she said she wasn't allowed to leave the property without Combs' permission. In a 2009 or 2010 incident, she alleged the rapper had his security guards follow her after she left the home to see friends. She was also allegedly told by Combs himself that she couldn't lock her bedroom door. "Puff said, 'This is my house,'" and no one is allowed to lock the door except members of his security team, she said. Later in her testimony, Mia alleged Combs flew into a rage in a 2014 incident after she went to her room to change her tampon while she was menstruating. Combs had directed her to pick up food for him and other employees at around 2:00 a.m. She entered her room after working since 8 a.m. the previous day, and when she emerged, Combs was allegedly angry that she hadn't received the food. She said Combs went on a "humiliating" rant before allegedly throwing a bowl of spaghetti at her head, just missing her body. Mia recalled a trip to the festival known as Burning Man, during which she claimed Combs set up a "three plates of drugs" guessing game that involved cocaine, MDMA and ketamine. She was "really nervous" when it was her turn because she didn't want to take ketamine, but "Puff wouldn't let it go." At first joking, his tone "started to change, like I was going to mess up the whole vibe," Mia said. When she pretended to take the ketamine, he got upset and started "humiliating" her in front of the group, eventually separating a ketamine dose for her. She snorted it, then tried to blow it out when Combs wasn't looking because she was "so scared" after seeing what the drug had done to others, Mia said. "I didn't think I had a choice," but to take it, she explained. As an assistant, Mia's job responsibilities also covered Combs' alleged "freak offs." For the events, which she called "hotel nights," Mia said she was on-call to bring "all (Combs') lotions and potions" – Astroglide lubricant, baby oil, condoms and candles – as needed. She also said she'd clean up after these alleged "freak offs" because Combs wanted to prevent hotel staff from contacting any tabloids. The state of the room would be "a nightmare; they were just destroyed" with candle wax that was "impossible to get out" and baby oil on the furniture and the walls. She also witnessed broken glass and blood, Mia alleged, noting that Combs explained the latter as menstrual blood. Her job also entailed caring for Ventura Fine's injuries, which included bringing her "whatever she needed," such as arnica gel to help heal her bruises. When the wounds were "too obvious to cover up," Ventura Fine was forced to stay at hotels, Mia said. Mia testified that she was expected to work long hours during her employment with Combs, adding that she never received vacations, rarely got a break and often had to pull all-nighters. "There were always a million things going on," she said. Mia testified that she was previously prescribed a stimulant medication that helped her deal with the lack of sleep. But near the end of one week, where she said she had to stay awake for five full days, "my hearing went underwater. My equilibrium was off. I had blurred vision." She said she burst into tears and began hysterically crying, at which point Combs told her to rest. Mia told the court that – while Combs was supportive at times – she would be held responsible for any mishaps in his business, including being punished, cursed out, humiliated and berated by Combs. Combs would also insult her intelligence and threaten her job, she said. Mia went on to say that she had to "beg" for the title of director of development at Revolt, the hip-hop media company Combs founded, after working in the industry for years. She said she initially made $70,000 a year before getting a raise to $100,000, but she said she was also promised bonuses that she never received. Mia, one of Combs' former assistants, took the stand after Combs' attorneys finished questioning Nash about Cassie and Diddy's relationship. As Xavier Donaldson, Combs' attorney, cross-examined Nash, he focused on Cassie and Diddy's other romantic relationships during their on-and-off, decade-long connection. He asked Nash about Ventura Fine shooting a movie in South Africa before the stylist jumped in and responded, "Yes, I did hook her up with Michael B. Jordan. I know where you're going with this." Nash clarified that Ventura Fine was "somewhat" pursuing Jordan, and that they were "dating, talking and getting to know each other." Nash set up Ventura Fine and Jordan with Mia's help, he confirmed. Donaldson also asked Nash about Ventura Fine's relationship with former NFL linebacker Andre Branch. "Oh, the cute football player?" Nash replied. The court was shown text messages from around that time when Ventura Fine was away in South Africa and had broken up with Combs. Ventura Fine saw a picture of Combs and a woman identified as Gina, and told Nash, "Why does he keep humiliating me and trying to ruin my career?" he recalled on the stand. Nash said that Ventura Fine "wasn't pressed about Gina." But why are Combs' lawyers asking about these other relationships? It's not clear, but the attorneys have repeatedly argued Ventura Fine felt in control of her relationship with Combs and free to leave when she wanted. Ventura Fine has testified that he exerted physical, psychological and sexual abuse over her for their entire relationship. As Combs' lawyers continued cross-examining Nash May 29, they pointed to multiple examples of the stylist not asking Ventura Fine about the alleged abuse she was facing. For example, in one text exchange, the lawyers pointed to Ventura Fine and Nash talking about a "secret trip" Ventura Fine was set to take, but Nash didn't ask where she was going – or who she was traveling with. "Good friends don't really pry," Nash hit back. Defense lawyers showed more text messages between the stylist and Ventura Fine, in which he encouraged her to enjoy a 2017 vacation with Combs. In 2018, Nash ended his professional relationship with the rapper, but he invited Combs to his birthday party, and they checked in on each other often. The same year, Combs texted Nash, "Please call me. No drama, it's important. I'm concerned. How is she?" Nash confirmed to jurors that Combs was talking about Ventura Fine in the message. In January 2019, Combs texted again, "How is she? Make sure she's alright. If she ever needs me, call me." As questioning continued, Donaldson appeared intent on demonstrating the gaps in honesty in Nash and Ventura Fine's relationship. "You deeply care for Cassie, yes?" he said, "She kept major secrets from you, correct?" Nash replied, simply, "OK." Nash told jurors May 28 that he frequently saw Diddy be violent with Cassie, hitting her face and giving her black eyes. He alleged Combs once beat Ventura Fine so badly in a hotel room that she had a bloody gash over her eye that required stitches. The stylist described another violent incident in 2013 or 2014, when an angry Combs allegedly came to her Los Angeles apartment, pleading with her to speak privately. After a few minutes, they emerged from her bedroom with Combs allegedly grabbing her by the hair and jacket and pushing her halfway out the door while yelling at her to get out of her own home. Nash said there were at least four security guards with Combs that night who initially blocked him from leaving the building, but they eventually let him drive Cassie to safety. But while Nash and Ventura Fine were in the vehicle, Combs called them and ordered them to pull over. When he caught up, Nash said the rapper came to the car window and again threatened to release footage of Ventura Fine having sex. Before breaking for lunch on May 28, jurors heard testimony from Nash, who worked as a stylist for Combs and Ventura Fine between 2009 and 2018. Los Angeles Police Department officer Chris Ignacio also testified about Combs' alleged break-in at Kid Cudi's home. Capricorn Clark's testimony this week came after a slew of witnesses, including Ventura Fine's mother Regina Ventura, Danity Kane alum Dawn Richard and Scott Mescudi (aka Kid Cudi), appeared in court last week to share harrowing accounts of Combs' alleged abuse. Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling lawsuit that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry. He was arrested in September 2024 and has been charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity. Using RICO law, which is typically aimed at targeting multi-person criminal organizations, prosecutors allege that Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in "freak offs" — sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors allege they have video of. The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings. USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom. Sign up for our newsletter for more updates. Contributing: USA TODAY staff; Reuters If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (4673) and and en Español If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Diddy trial recap: Former aide Mia says Diddy sexually assaulted her
The Independent
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Diddy's former stylist makes unprompted claim he set Cassie up with Hollywood star Michael B Jordan
Sean 'Diddy' Combs's former stylist was keen for the court to know that he allegedly played matchmaker for Cassie Ventura and Hollywood A-lister Michael B Jordan. Deonte Nash did not wait for the defense attorney to finish their question on Thursday, before offering up the information unprompted to the court. The celebrity stylist, who worked for both Combs and Ventura, was being cross-examined about events in 2015, when Ventura was in South Africa shooting a film. As attorney Xavier Donaldson began a question about how Ventura got approval from Combs to shoot the film, Nash cut him off, replying: 'Yes, I did hook her up with Michael B. Jordan. I know where we're going with this,' according to the Washington Post. 'He fine, she fine. I mean why not?' he added. Judge Arun Subramanian told Nash to wait for attorneys to finish their questions before offering information. Nash said that while on the South African shoot, Ventura had found out that Combs had been with another woman, referred to as Gina, but was not as jealous as the defense had previously suggested. 'Honestly, she wasn't that pressed about Gina,' he said. Gina is the pseudonym that one of Combs' alleged victims is being referred to at trial. She had been slated to testify but had a change of heart in the lead up to trial. However, he said, she was concerned about the impact of Combs 'running around with other women' might have on her career. Jealousy may have run the other way however, Nash testified, claiming that Combs contacted him and Ventura when he discovered she was dating Jordan. On Wednesday, Nash testified that he witnessed Combs' violence against his ex-girlfriend firsthand, saying that he and Ventura hid from Combs "too many times to count.' Combs is facing sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy charges. The mogul was arrested in September 2024 as federal authorities alleged he threatened, abused, and coerced victims 'to fulfill his sexual desires' between 2004 and 2024. Combs has denied any accusations of wrongdoing.
Sky News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Diddy trial live: Combs's second alleged victim Mia to give evidence - as stylist recalls 'attack'
Stylist tells court Cassie kept 'freak offs' from him for several years The defence's cross-examination of stylist Deonte Nash now goes back to the alleged violent incident mentioned earlier (14.38 post), in which Cassie cut her head. Nash apparently saw alleged victim "Mia" video calling Cassie on Facetime and saw she had a black eye, attorney Xavier Donaldson says. "Yes," the stylist replies. Asked if he saw a picture or a video, he says no, but he "saw it in person, when her make-up wears off you can see it". Cassie had a press event about a week later, he adds. Donaldson then returns to Nash's testimony about a time in 2013 when Ventura told him that sex videos Combs was allegedly threatening to release publicly showed her with other men. Cassie has accused Combs of forcing and coercing her into "freak offs", sexual encounters with male escorts, and claims he filmed them and made threats about the footage. Yesterday, the court heard that prior to 2013, Nash had told Cassie not to worry, as he thought Combs was also in the footage and therefore wouldn't jeopardise his own reputation. Nash, who has been friends with Cassie since 2008, confirms this was the first time he learnt she was having sex with other men. "That part of her life she kept from you?" Donaldson asks. "Yes," Nash replies. Stylist tells court he set Cassie up with actor Michael B Jordan Stylist Deonte Nash now confirms he has been friends with Cassie for 15 years and speaks to her every day. He tells the court that he knows of Kid Cudi – the rapper Cassie had a brief relationship with in 2011 – but he did not know the romance overlapped with Cassie's on-off relationship with Sean Combs. He says Cassie did not tell him that she and Combs had broken up, but "people on the team said it". Questioning by defence lawyer Xavier Donaldson now turns to 2015, when Cassie spent time in South Africa to shoot a film. "Mia", another alleged victim who will testify later today, was also there. Another stylist saw Diddy with another woman in Miami at around this time, the court hears. Nash tells jurors that when Cassie heard, she said something like: "Why is he out humiliating me, trying to ruin my career?" Donaldson then asks about the actor Michael B Jordan, star of Black Panther and the Creed films, whose name has come up previously during the trial. "Yes, I did hook her up with Michael B Jordan," Nash says. "I know where we're going with this. He's fine, she's fine. I mean, why not?" Nash, who has been reminded by Judge Arun Subramanian to stick to answering the questions put to him, says Cassie was not with Diddy at this point. Donaldson also asks about another of Cassie's relationships, which Nash says at first that he doesn't know anything about. Then he adds: "Oh, the cute football player? Yes." This was close to 2017, he says. Stylist explains why he didn't give full details of alleged attack on Cassie by Diddy Attorney Xavier Donaldson is asking questions for the defence and starts by checking how stylist Deonte Nash is doing. "Blessed," he replies. The cross-examination turns to Capricorn Clark, a former employee of Sean "Diddy" Combs, who gave evidence on Tuesday. Clark alleged that in 2011, Diddy kidnapped her at gunpoint when he went to confront rival rapper Kid Cudi after learning he had been seeing his then on-off partner Cassie. Nash says he "learned a lot from" Clark while she was employed at Diddy's Bad Boy Records and that they worked together in 2016 for Cassie's song Love A Loser, which was released in 2017. Asked about Cassie's styling around that time, Nash says it was "curated" and that they needed approval from Diddy, which they got. Donaldson then asks about an incident in which Cassie "suffered a gash on her head", which came up during Nash's evidence yesterday. The stylist said he was at Cassie's apartment, helping her pack for a music festival, when Diddy stormed in, grabbed her by the hair, pulled her off a couch and hit her repeatedly. Mr Nash said he and alleged victim Mia – set to give evidence later – jumped on the rapper's back in an attempt to get him to stop. Donaldson asks Nash to confirm he saw Cassie hit her head on a bed frame and he confirms he did. Asked if Diddy "kept kicking her", he replies: "Yes." The defence lawyer says Nash met with the government many times when questioned about this case, but never mentioned the kicking. "They didn't ask," Nash replies. He says he gave as little information as possible and only answered what he was asked. Remember, he has been subpoenaed – legally ordered – to give evidence in court. Stylist Deonte Nash returns to the stand After further legal discussions, stylist Deonte Nash is now returning to the stand to give evidence. Today he is wearing a white shirt, a jacket and a large pair of jeans. Sean "Diddy" Combs is wearing a cream sweater over a white shirt. The plan was for Nash's evidence to finish yesterday but cross-examination took longer than anticipated. Nash has been subpoenaed to give evidence – meaning he is there following a legal order – and he made it clear yesterday it was not his choice to be in court. Jurors now hear he has a flight at 2pm New York time – 7pm here in the UK – and prosecutor Maurene Comey says she hopes he can make it. Motion to strike expert witness testimony denied by judge Before the trial resumes hearing evidence, there are a few legal matters to tend to. A motion was made by the defence to strike testimony given by psychologist Dawn Hughes last week – which Judge Arun Subramanian has now denied. She told the court victims of abuse often experience a "low sense of self" and tend to stay with abusers because they yearn for the love and compassion experienced in a relationship's early "honeymoon phase". Hughes, who appeared as an expert witness – meaning she has specialised knowledge in her particular field but is not involved directly in the case – also explained how a victim's memory can sometimes become jumbled; retaining awareness of abuse, but mixing up details. She did not examine Cassie or Combs, the court heard. The defence's argument that her testimony was "pseudoscience" was rejected by the judge. Court in session Today's hearing is now under way. Deonte Nash, a former stylist for Sean Combs and his former partner Cassie, will be back on the stand soon after beginning his testimony yesterday. We'll bring you all the latest from his evidence. Alleged victim Mia 'wanted to take secret of what Combs did to the grave' Today's hearing should be getting started shortly. As we reported earlier, the trial is later set to hear from another alleged victim of Sean "Diddy" Combs. While fellow alleged victim Cassie waived her right to anonymity, this woman is not being named in court and so the pseudonym "Mia" is being used instead. We know a little about her already from the opening statement given by the prosecution at the start of the trial. Mia was "worked to the bone for years" as an assistant of Combs, the prosecution said. She alleges that Combs forced himself on her sexually and forced her to perform a sex act. She also alleges he snuck into her bed to have sex with her against her will. Combs, together with "trusted bodyguards and advisors... agreed to commit different crimes, including kidnapping and arson, distributing drugs to other people, exploiting employees for labour - and in Mia's case, sex, bribery and obstruction, sex trafficking, and transporting people for prostitution," the prosecution's opening statement said. "Mia will tell you how she could not talk about what happened to her until recently, how she wanted to take the secret of what the defendant did to her to her grave." As always, there are no cameras in court but we should have some artist sketches of the proceedings later today. However, Judge Arun Subramanian has said there will be no sketches of Mia to preserve her anonymity. Who is giving evidence today? Yesterday, evidence from Deonte Nash, a former stylist for Combs and his ex Cassie, overran. He is due to continue his testimony when proceedings resume today. Once he finishes, the court will hear from Mia, a pseudonym for the second alleged victim in the case. Her evidence is expected to last until Friday. A reminder of the charges While we wait for court to start again today, here's a reminder of the five felony charges faced by Sean "Diddy" Combs: Racketeering conspiracy; Two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; Two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. The rapper was initially charged with three offences - racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Two extra counts - one each of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution - were added earlier in April. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges. What the charges mean Racketeering broadly means engaging in an illegal scheme or enterprise, and the charge falls under the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act (RICO) in the US. According to the US justice department's definition of RICO statute, it is also illegal to "conspire to violate" the laws. The prosecution alleges that between 2008 and 2024, Combs "led a racketeering conspiracy that engaged in sex trafficking, forced labour, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice, among other crimes". Welcome back for day 12 of the Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial Welcome back to our coverage of the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs. The rapper faces five felony charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. He denies all charges. Today will be day 12 of the trial. Yesterday, we heard from three witnesses – including stylist Deonte Nash, who alleged that Diddy beat his ex Cassie during their relationship. Nash also revealed that Cassie gave birth to her third child on Tuesday, just two weeks after she testified against her former partner in court. Jurors also heard from LAPD officer Chris Ignacio and fire department officer Lance Jiminez. Ignacio was involved in an investigation into a 2011 break-in at rapper Kid Cudi's house, while Jiminez was called to a suspected arson attack on one of Cudi's cars in 2012. During his evidence last week, Cudi alleged Diddy was behind both incidents – a claim the defendant's lawyers denied. Catch up with a summary of what we heard from them in our full recap of day 11 below...
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Panicked list of celebrities secretly lawyering up in case they're called to testify in Diddy trial: Live updates
Sean ' Diddy ' Combs is facing the third week of his sex-trafficking and racketeering trial in New York City. The music mogul, 55, has sat by his team of star lawyers as prosecutors accuse him of using his wealth and fame to coerce and threaten women and employees into serving his every need and sexual fantasy. Stylist Deonte Nash told the jury on Wednesday he saw Diddy berating Cassie to engage in drug-fueled sexual encounters, 'freak offs,' and that Cassie confided to him that she didn't want to but felt obliged. Diddy's ex-assistant Mia is set to take the stand next, and tell the jury that she was sexually abused by the music executive. Diddy denies all allegations against him. His lawyers admit he's a woman beater - although he does not face domestic abuse charges - but that he is not guilty of sex trafficking or racketeering. Celebrities 'are worried about being called to testify in Diddy's trial' A new report claims that panicked celebrities are so worried about possibly being called as a witness in the Diddy trial that they are lawyering up. 'I have heard that there are some celebrities worried about being called to testify and have even lawyered up trying to fight that,' TMZ founder Harvey Levin said on Fox News Digital. Harvey did not specify which celebrities are reportedly concerned abotu beign called as witnesss, but several A-list stars have been named-dropped throughout the bombshell testimony. Diddy's ex-assistant Capricorn Clark exposed the mogul's list of celebrities enemies and many other A-listers have come up in testimony. The trial has even inspired deep fake videos that use AI-generated images to falsely claim that certain celebrities, such as Oprah and Jennifer Lawrence, have been mentioned in the mogul's sex-trafficking case. All the celebrities mentioned in Diddy trial so far Several A-list celebrities have been named dropped throughout the bombshell testimony.
