The ongoing federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial of hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has gripped public atte...
The ongoing federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial of hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has gripped public attention, with dramatic testimony from his ex-girlfriend, R&B singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, taking center stage. As of May 16, 2025, the trial, now in its fifth day, has revealed shocking allegations of abuse, coercion, and manipulation. Below is a comprehensive recap of the latest developments, focusing on Ventura’s testimony and other key moments from the courtroom.
Background on the Case
Sean Combs, 55, was arrested in September 2024 and faces five criminal counts, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Prosecutors allege that Combs ran a criminal enterprise through his music and media empire, using drugs, violence, and his industry influence to sexually exploit women, including Ventura. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges, with his defense team arguing that his relationships were consensual and that the allegations are motivated by financial gain.[]
(https://www.npr.org/2025/05/13/nx-s1-5396851/diddy-trial-cassie-sean-combs)[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2025/05/12/diddy-trial-live-updates-sean-combs-sex-trafficking-case/)
The trial, held at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse in New York City, began on May 12, 2025, and is expected to last approximately eight weeks. It has drawn intense media scrutiny, with no public broadcast allowed, though courtroom sketches and live updates from reporters provide vivid details.[]
(https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2025/05/13/diddy-trial-live-updates-sean-combs-sex-trafficking-case/)
Cassie Ventura’s Testimony: A Harrowing Account
Cassie Ventura, now 38 and visibly pregnant with her third child, has been described as the prosecution’s "star witness" and the "linchpin" of their case. Her testimony, spanning four days from May 13 to May 16, 2025, has been emotionally charged and graphic, detailing an alleged decade-long pattern of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse during her on-and-off relationship with Combs from 2007 to 2018. Below are the key points from her testimony, drawn from multiple sources:
1. Allegations of Physical Violence
Ventura testified that Combs was "frequently" physically abusive, describing incidents where he would "mash my head, knock me over, drag me, kick me, stomp me in the head." She recounted specific assaults, including:
2016 InterContinental Hotel Incident:
A pivotal piece of evidence is surveillance footage from March 2016, showing Combs attacking Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel hallway. Ventura testified that Combs, intoxicated, hit her, resulting in a black eye. She attempted to leave a "freak off" (described below), but Combs dragged her back to the room. She texted him afterward, writing, "When you get f***ed up the wrong way, you always want to show me you have the power to knock me around. I’m not a rag doll, I’m someone’s child."[]
(https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cx2jv9l8ydpt)[](https://news.sky.com/story/p-diddy-trial-cassie-sex-trafficking-evidence-sean-combs-new-york-live-latest-13363431)[](https://www.npr.org/2025/05/13/nx-s1-5396851/diddy-trial-cassie-sean-combs)
Las Vegas Party Assault:
Ventura described being pulled from a party by Combs, who punched her in the face and kicked her while she hid under a toilet, leaving her with knots on her head, bruises, and a busted lip.[]
(https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c6287xyevw7t)
Other Incidents:
Ventura showed jurors photos of injuries, including black eyes, a fat lip, and a gash on her forehead, alleging these were caused by Combs’ beatings. She said the abuse was so frequent she couldn’t count the instances.[]
(https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/live-news/diddy-sean-combs-trial-05-14-25)[](https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/live-news/diddy-sean-combs-trial-05-13-25)
2. "Freak Offs" and Sexual Coercion
Ventura provided graphic details about "freak offs," drug-fueled, marathon sex sessions orchestrated by Combs, where she was allegedly coerced into having sex with male escorts while Combs watched, directed, and recorded.
Key points include:
Nature of Freak Offs: These sessions, lasting 36 hours to four days, involved drugs like ecstasy and cocaine, and supplies like baby oil (over 1,000 bottles were seized from Combs’ homes). Ventura said she felt "disgusting" and "humiliated," fearing refusal would lead to violence.[]
(https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/05/13/arts/sean-combs-diddy-trial-cassie)[](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/sean-diddy-combs-trial-cassie-live-updates-rcna206572)
Blackmail with Videos:
Ventura alleged Combs used recordings of these encounters as "blackmail materials," threatening to release them to ruin her career. She expressed shame and fear for her family if the videos surfaced.[]
(https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/05/14/arts/sean-combs-diddy-trial-cassie)
Logistics: Ventura described hiring escorts through services like Cowboys 4 Angels and websites like Craigslist, arranging travel, and paying them. She expressed remorse for selecting prostitutes, noting she was "young and naive" at the time.[]
(https://www.bbc.com/news/live/ce9v0gexr4gt)[](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp3q1qp8d54o)
3. 2018 Rape Allegation
Ventura testified that Combs raped her in 2018 after a "closure conversation" dinner in Malibu. Despite their breakup, she said Combs forced himself on her in her living room, an incident that left her emotionally devastated.[]
(https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/sean-diddy-combs-trial-cassie-live-updates-rcna206572)[](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/05/14/arts/sean-combs-diddy-trial-cassie)
4. Drug Use and Dependency
Both Ventura and Combs were allegedly dependent on drugs during their relationship. Ventura admitted to heavy opiate use, seeking treatment five or six times, and last using drugs in 2022. She has been on Suboxone for opioid addiction since 2022 and attended rehab at Willow House in Arizona in 2023 for trauma, not sex or love addiction. She also alleged Combs was an addict, citing a 2012 overdose that required hospitalization.[]
(https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/live-news/diddy-sean-combs-trial-05-14-25)[](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/sean-diddy-combs-trial-cassie-ventura-lawyers-live-updates-rcna206807)[](https://news.sky.com/story/p-diddy-trial-cassie-sex-trafficking-evidence-sean-combs-new-york-live-latest-13363431)
5. Control and Manipulation
Ventura described Combs as controlling every aspect of her life, from her appearance to her music career. He allegedly:
- Called incessantly if she didn’t answer, surveilled her through staff, and dictated what she wore.[]
(https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/live-news/diddy-sean-combs-trial-05-15-25)[](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/sean-diddy-combs-trial-cassie-ventura-lawyers-live-updates-rcna206807)
- Stalled her career, recording "hundreds" of songs for Bad Boy Records, none of which were released, leaving her uncompensated.[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2025/05/13/diddy-trial-live-updates-sean-combs-sex-trafficking-case/)
- Threatened her with guns and continued intimidation post-breakup.[]
(https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/live-news/diddy-sean-combs-trial-05-15-25)
6. Emotional Toll and Motivation to Testify
Ventura broke down in tears discussing her 2023 rehab and trauma therapy, triggered by flashbacks during a music video shoot. She said she was suicidal and felt "worthless" due to the abuse. When asked why she testified, she said, “I can’t carry this anymore, the shame, the guilt, what’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong, people aren’t disposable.”[]
(https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/live-news/diddy-sean-combs-trial-05-15-25)[](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/sean-diddy-combs-trial-cassie-live-updates-rcna206572)
7. 2023 Lawsuit and Settlement
Ventura filed a civil lawsuit against Combs in November 2023, accusing him of rape, sex trafficking, and abuse. The suit was settled within a day for $20 million. She testified that her attorney initially sought $30 million for a book she was writing about the relationship as part of her trauma therapy, but no payment was made at that time.[]
(https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/live-news/diddy-sean-combs-trial-05-14-25)[](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/sean-diddy-combs-trial-cassie-live-updates-rcna206572)
Cross-Examination by the Defense
Combs’ defense team, led by attorney Anna Estevao, began cross-examining Ventura on May 15, aiming to portray their relationship as consensual and question her credibility. Key moments include:
Text Messages: The defense presented explicit texts and emails where Ventura expressed enthusiasm for "freak offs," such as, “I’m always ready to freak off lolol,” suggesting she was a willing participant. Ventura acknowledged some messages but said she participated to please Combs.[]
(https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2025/05/15/diddy-trial-live-updates-sean-combs-sex-trafficking-case/)[]
(https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/05/15/arts/diddy-trial-cassie-live-updates)
Drug Use and Memory: The defense questioned whether drugs affected Ventura’s memory, noting her opiate dependency. Ventura maintained her accounts were accurate.[]
(https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/sean-diddy-combs-trial-cassie-ventura-lawyers-live-updates-rcna206807)
Jealousy and Motives:
Estevao suggested Combs’ violence stemmed from jealousy (e.g., suspicions about Ventura dancing with Chris Brown) or drug use, not coercion. They also implied Ventura’s lawsuit was a "money grab," though she had already received the $20 million settlement.[]
(https://abcnews.go.com/US/live-updates/sean-diddy-combs-trial-live-updates/?id=121656142)[]
(https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2025/05/15/diddy-trial-live-updates-sean-combs-sex-trafficking-case/)
Tone and Pregnancy: Given Ventura’s advanced pregnancy (she may give birth soon), Estevao adopted a softer tone, even complimenting Ventura’s charm. The defense had objected to jurors seeing Ventura’s pregnant state, fearing it would evoke sympathy, but Judge Arun Subramanian allowed her to testify.[]
(https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/sean-diddy-combs-trial-day-2-live-updates-rcna206319)[](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/05/15/arts/diddy-trial-cassie-live-updates)
Ventura’s cross-examination concluded on May 16, with prosecutors conducting a brief redirect to clarify points raised by the defense. The judge urged the defense to wrap up due to Ventura’s "time-sensitive" condition, and she is not expected to return after May 16.[]
(https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cx2jv9l8ydpt)[](https://abcnews.go.com/US/live-updates/sean-diddy-combs-trial-live-updates/?id=121656142)
Other Trial Developments
-Other Witnesses:
- **Israel Florez**, a former security manager at the InterContinental Hotel, testified about the 2016 incident, saying Combs offered him a bribe (a "sack of cash") to stay silent. Florez rejected it and reported a woman in distress.[]
(https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/live-news/diddy-sean-combs-trial-05-14-25)[](https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/live-updates/diddy-trial-live-updates-cassie-ventura-cross-examination/)
- **Daniel Phillip**, a male escort, testified about participating in "freak offs" from 2012 to 2013/2014, describing Combs’ detailed instructions and Ventura’s apparent drugged state.[]
(https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/sean-diddy-combs-sex-trafficking-trial-live-updates-rcna205907)[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2025/05/12/diddy-trial-live-updates-sean-combs-sex-trafficking-case/)
- Prosecutors plan to call former Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard, who claims to have witnessed Combs’ violence toward Ventura and others.[]
(https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2025/05/15/diddy-trial-live-updates-sean-combs-sex-trafficking-case/)
Evidence:
- Jurors have seen hotel surveillance footage, photos of Ventura’s injuries, and explicit messages. Sensitive "freak off" videos are in evidence but not shown publicly, as they were meant to remain private.[]
(https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/05/13/arts/sean-combs-diddy-trial-cassie)
- Over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and other "freak off supplies" were seized from Combs’ homes, supporting Ventura’s testimony about the sessions.[]
(https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/live-news/diddy-sean-combs-trial-05-15-25)
Combs’ Family Presence:
- Combs’ mother, Janice, and his six children, including his twin daughters, have attended daily, showing support with gestures like heart shapes and blown kisses. Janice is named in lawsuits alleging she concealed Combs’ misconduct.[]
(https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/live-updates/diddy-trial-live-updates-day-2/)[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2025/05/15/diddy-trial-live-updates-sean-combs-sex-trafficking-case/)
Public and Social Media Reaction:
- Social media is abuzz with opinions on Ventura’s testimony, with some praising her courage and others questioning her motives. The trial’s graphic details have sparked debates about consent and power dynamics.[]
(https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/sean-diddy-combs-trial-cassie-ventura-lawyers-live-updates-rcna206807)
Alleged Jury Influence:
- On May 6, 2025, posts on X reported accusations that Combs attempted to influence jurors, though no further details have been confirmed. This remains inconclusive.
What’s Next?
The trial continues, with prosecutors expected to call additional witnesses, including the pseudonymous "Jane," another alleged victim. The defense will likely focus on portraying Combs’ actions as consensual and highlighting inconsistencies in witness accounts. Given the high-profile nature of the case and the list of 190 names (including celebrities) that may surface, more revelations are anticipated.[]
(https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2025/05/13/diddy-trial-live-updates-sean-combs-sex-trafficking-case/)
If convicted on all counts, Combs faces 15 years to life in prison. The outcome will hinge on whether the jury believes Ventura and other witnesses over Combs’ defense, which insists the relationships were voluntary adult choices.[]
(https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/live-news/diddy-sean-combs-trial-05-13-25)[](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/05/13/arts/sean-combs-diddy-trial-cassie)
Resources for Support
Ventura’s testimony has highlighted issues of intimate partner violence and sexual coercion. If you or someone you know is struggling, resources are available:
- **National Domestic Violence Hotline**: Call 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org.
- **National Sexual Assault Hotline**: Call 1-800-656-4673 or visit rainn.org.
- **Mental Health Support**: Dial or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for free, confidential help.[]
(https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/live-news/diddy-sean-combs-trial-05-15-25)[](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/sean-diddy-combs-trial-cassie-live-updates-rcna206572)
Stay tuned for further updates as this high-stakes trial unfolds. For real-time coverage, follow trusted news outlets or check the BBC’s *Diddy on Trial* podcast.[](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp3q1qp8d54o)
This blog post is based on information from reputable sources covering the trial as of May 16, 2025. Some details may evolve as new testimony emerges. Always verify information with primary sources, as X posts and unverified claims may not be reliable.[]
(https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/live-news/diddy-sean-combs-trial-05-14-25)[](https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/live-updates/diddy-trial-live-updates-day-2/)[](https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/live-news/diddy-sean-combs-trial-05-15-25)
No comments