The criminal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs is set to enter its third day on Wednesday, with his former girlfriend Casandra Ventura expected to continue her testimony detailing allegations that the rapper and hip-hop mogul made her a central figure in his alleged sex trafficking operation.
Ventura, a rhythm and blues singer known as Cassie, testified on Tuesday that she participated for a decade in Combs’ drug-fueled parties known as “Freak Offs,” often fearing violence from Combs if she refused.
Jurors were shown a 2016 surveillance video from a Los Angeles hotel hallway, depicting a towel-clad Combs throwing Ventura to the ground and kicking her. Ventura testified that the video was taken after a “Freak Off” where Combs gave her a black eye.
“I made it to the elevators, I got my sneakers on, and the next thing I knew, I was thrown to the ground,” Ventura stated.
When asked by a prosecutor why she remained on the ground, Ventura responded: “I felt like it was the safest place to be.”
Ventura is the key prosecution witness in Combs’ trial in Manhattan federal court.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to five felony counts, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
If convicted on all counts, he faces a minimum of 15 years in prison, with the possibility of a life sentence.
The trial is expected to last two months, and Combs is being held in jail in Brooklyn when not in court.
Combs also faces numerous civil lawsuits from women and men accusing him of sexual abuse. He has denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that his relationships were consensual.
Read more: Fragile Truce: Border Residents Wary as India-Pakistan Ceasefire Falters
Ventura, 38, testified that she initially viewed her relationship with Combs, which began when she was in her early 20s, as her first real adult relationship.
However, she said Combs became increasingly controlling as the “Freak Offs,” which she claimed could last up to four days, dominated their relationship and hindered her music career.
Combs has apologized for the video, and his lawyers have argued that prosecutors are attempting to unfairly punish him for his “swingers” lifestyle.
They are expected to cross-examine Ventura after she completes her direct testimony.
Combs, also known as Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, founded Bad Boy Records and is credited with launching the careers of artists such as Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Notorious B.I.G., and Usher in the 1990s and 2000s.
