Several new witnesses took the stand Tuesday at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex-trafficking trial, together with a male escort named “The Punisher” and Cassie Ventura’s mom, who testified that she was “scared for my daughter’s security.”
Regina Ventura advised jurors that she documented the bodily abuse Cassie suffered from Combs, who prosecutors declare coerced the youthful Ventura and others into taking part in drug-fueled intercourse exhibits often known as “freak-offs.”
The elder Ventura later testified that she as soon as wired $20,000 to Combs’ firm in 2011 after Cassie advised her that the rapper was threatening to launch a intercourse tape of her, in response to the New York Post and different media retailers — allegedly as a result of he was enraged at her romantic relationship with Kid Cudi: “I used to be bodily sick,” she testified, earlier than including, “I used to be scared for my daughter’s security.”
She later stated the cash, which she obtained by taking out a home-equity mortgage, was returned days later and she or he had no contact with Combs about it.
Later within the morning, jurors heard testimony from Sharay Hayes, a male unique dancer who goes by the nickname “The Punisher.” He testified that he attended as many as 12 freak-offs, and that Combs usually carefully directed how he and Ventura have been to have intercourse.
Combs was indicted in September, charged with operating a sprawling legal operation geared toward facilitating the freak-offs — elaborate occasions during which Combs and others allegedly pressured Ventura and different victims into having intercourse with escorts whereas he watched and masturbated. Prosecutors additionally say the star and his associates used violence, cash and blackmail to maintain victims silent and beneath his management.
As soon as one of many music trade’s strongest males, Combs is accused of racketeering conspiracy (a so-called RICO cost), intercourse trafficking and violating a federal prostitution statute. If convicted on all the fees, he faces a possible life jail sentence.
Protection attorneys keep that Ventura and different girls consensually took half within the intercourse events. They’ve admitted that Combs had dedicated home violence throughout his and Ventura’s “poisonous” relationship and had uncommon sexual preferences, however that he had by no means coerced her into taking part in his “swinger” life-style.
Tuesday additionally noticed testimony from David James, Combs’ former private assistant, persevering with his testimony from Monday; and Gerard Gannon, a federal legislation enforcement agent who led the headline-grabbing raid of Combs’ home in Miami final spring that turned up weapons and large quantities of child oil.
Cudi himself is anticipated to take the witness stand later this week, the place he’ll probably be requested about an notorious incident during which Combs allegedly set his automotive on hearth as payback for his temporary relationship with Ventura.