Regina Ventura, Kerry Morgan ship robust testimony in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ trial

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Throughout the first two weeks of Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex-trafficking trial, the jury heard from the rapper's ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, male escorts, ex-assistants and former Homeland Safety Investigations (HSI) brokers.

The prosecution has roughly six weeks to show Diddy helmed a legal enterprise used to sexually exploit ladies, together with Cassie. Authorities charged Diddy with a number of counts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by power, fraud or coercion and transporting for prostitution in 2024.

"Week two of the Combs trial helped the prosecution corroborate Ventura’s testimony via impartial witnesses and set up the weather of intercourse trafficking and racketeering," former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani advised Fox Information Digital. "The protection scored some factors on cross-examination, however I feel they’re manner behind."

Nevertheless, different consultants famous the protection is doing a "nice job" utilizing the prosecution's witnesses to bolster their arguments throughout cross-examination.

CASSIE VENTURA EMERGES AS ‘STAR WITNESS’ IN DIDDY'S FEDERAL SEX CRIMES TRIAL: EXPERT

Testimony in Sean "Diddy" Combs' intercourse crimes trial started on Could 12 with opening statements. (Jane Rosenberg)

"The protection is doing an awesome job at exploiting witness testimony to help their concept of the case and present that whereas Mr. Combs could also be a ‘dangerous actor’ in the case of home violence, and so forth. — one thing nobody is condoning — the federal expenses are unsubstantiated primarily based on the testimony now we have heard up to now, in my view," lawyer David S. Seltzer advised Fox Information Digital. "Whereas we can not hear the testimony in actual time as a result of we're in Federal Court docket, I feel the Authorities shouldn't be assembly their burden up to now."

Leisure lawyer Tre Lovell famous that whereas the jury has heard "constant" testimony from the witnesses, cheap doubt "looms very heavy" after the primary two weeks.

"Up to now, now we have heard constant testimony from a number of of the witnesses that Diddy was violent with Cassie Ventura, was controlling over her, instructed what to do within the ‘freak offs’ and was a jealous boyfriend, however none of that is ample to justify a legal enterprise or a sample of legal conduct," Lovell, of The Lovell Agency, defined. "Cassie’s relationship will be as simply characterised as she was in love with Diddy, carried out ‘freak offs’ due to her emotions for him and stayed with him for private advantages akin to furthering her profession, growing connections, and being taken care of financially. Affordable doubt looms very heavy in these first two weeks of trial. The prosecution might want to convey out further victims that aren't girlfriends of Diddy to separate a romantic, emotionally charged relationship from precise intercourse trafficking."

"Up to now, now we have heard constant testimony from a number of of the witnesses that Diddy was violent with Cassie Ventura, was controlling over her, instructed what to do within the ‘freak offs’ and was a jealous boyfriend, however none of that is ample to justify a legal enterprise or a sample of legal conduct."

— Tre Lovell DIDDY SUNK $35 MILLION INTO MIAMI MANSION, BUT STAR ISLAND DIGS MAY NOT BE SAFE IF HE'S CONVICTED: EXPERT

Child Cudi testified Thursday in Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex-trafficking trial. (Rashid Umar Abbasi for Fox Information Digital)

On Thursday, the jury heard from rapper Kid Cudi — who testified that he had a romantic relationship with Diddy's ex, Cassie, in 2011. Child Cudi testified that when Diddy came upon concerning the relationship, he broke into the musician's residence and later allegedly set fireplace to his automobile. Nevertheless, there was no definitive proof to show Child Cudi's claims.

"Ventura advised Child Cudi that Combs would hit and kick her, however Combs’ attorneys elicited testimony that Cassie by no means stated something about sexual abuse, which is essential," Rahmani, founding father of West Coast Trial Attorneys, stated. "Child Cudi broke up with Ventura as a result of Combs was violent, and he was involved for his personal security. He additionally stated Ventura was enjoying each him and Combs. That’s a central concept for the protection: that Ventura is a powerful, impartial girl who made her personal choices, together with willingly taking part within the swingers life-style."

"Affordable doubt looms very heavy in these first two weeks of trial."

— Tre Lovell Whereas there have been flaws within the prosecution's presentation of Child Cudi's testimony, it was nonetheless "essential as a result of arson is an underlying crime for a RICO conspiracy," Rahmani defined.

"That permits the prosecution to doubtlessly get a racketeering conviction even when the jury believes the ‘freak offs’ had been consensual and there was no intercourse trafficking," he added. "If the jury doesn’t discover trafficking, they will nonetheless convict on racketeering in the event that they discover that Combs engaged in kidnapping, arson, extortion or prostitution."

<source media="(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/05/672/378/sean-diddy-combs-trial-day-7-escort-the-punisher_002.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/05/1344/756/sean-diddy-combs-trial-day-7-escort-the-punisher_002.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="378" width="672"><source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/05/931/523/sean-diddy-combs-trial-day-7-escort-the-punisher_002.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/05/1862/1046/sean-diddy-combs-trial-day-7-escort-the-punisher_002.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="523" width="931"> Male unique dancer Sharay Hayes testified in Diddy's trial on Tuesday. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters)

DIDDY TRIAL WITNESS REVEALS THREATS AND VIOLENCE THAT COULD SUPPORT RICO CHARGES: EXPERT

Male unique dancer Sharay Hayes, also referred to as The Punisher, testified to having intercourse with Cassie on the request of Diddy and stated that the encounters had been at all times consensual. He advised the jury that he didn’t get any cues of any discomfort from Cassie , and that if he had, he would have stopped. Diddy's protection lawyer doubled down, asking if Hayes ever did something to Cassie that she didn’t need. Hayes replied no. He claimed it was consensual.

"The situation I used to be there to create… was going effectively," he stated throughout cross-examination.

Hayes spoke to Fox Information Digital about his "nerve-wracking" expertise testifying within the rapper's trial.

"Actually, going into the courtroom… I believed I used to be ready for it, but it surely was extraordinarily nerve-wracking," he advised Fox Information Digital. "So I need to say, for nearly the complete time of my testimony, I averted eye contact. I averted even wanting in [Diddy's] path. After which really going into that surroundings, you may't actually put together your self and I had no concept it was going to be that many individuals, that many rows and tables. So I wanna say, for about half of the testimony, I could not even find the place he was. It was a very intense ambiance."

WATCH: MALE ESCORT THE PUNISHER MADE DIRECT EYE CONTACT WITH DIDDY AFTER LEAVING COURT

Hayes additionally admitted that he "by no means really understood what a part of my testimony was beneficial" to the prosecution.

"I actually thought my testimony — as a result of there was nothing damaging, nothing no matter — I actually thought it was one thing that the protection would profit them," he stated.

"I am not a authorized analyst or something, however typically I stated, effectively, possibly the prosecution simply needs to query me and have every part in case the protection calls me," Hayes added. "As a result of I actually could not perceive how I used to be important to their case. However there's most likely one thing there that I am simply unaware of."

A courtroom sketch portrays male unique dancer Sharay Hayes testifying at Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex-trafficking trial in New York Metropolis on Tuesday. (Jane Rosenberg)

"I actually could not perceive how I used to be important to their case. However there's most likely one thing there that I am simply unaware of."

— Sharay Hayes In response to Seltzer, The Punisher's testimony "didn't assist" the prosecution.

"The federal government is making an attempt to place the items collectively for a RICO cost, however up to now the testimony of The Punisher and Child Cudi didn't assist them," he advised Fox Information Digital. "The Punisher, I imagine, bolstered the protection place that every one the actions had been consensual, and that Cassie was a keen participant, stating he noticed Ventura ‘sighing or wincing’ at Combs’ repeated instructions, he interpreted it ‘as frustration’ with the scenario fairly than unwillingness to take part. Moreover, stating he believed their experiences had been ‘utterly pure.’ Child Cudi’s recount of decade-old allegations additionally assisted the protection, which was supported by the Decide sustaining an objection by the protection when it got here to a speculative assertion that Mr. Combs dedicated housebreaking and/or arson."

"The police in each these allegations couldn't join Mr. Combs to the incidents, and the ‘apology’ by Mr. Combs years later, in my view, shouldn't be an admission to something apart from, sorry we had points concerning Ms. Ventura," Seltzer added. "The federal government placed on a Homeland Safety agent to indicate all of the objects seized in Mr. Combs’ home. That tactic is a continuation of the federal government making an attempt to color Mr. Combs as a foul actor, somebody the jury can convict as a result of he's devious and reprehensible, however the testimony of the medicine, firearms and child oil nonetheless don't help the costs."

DIDDY TRIAL: CASSIE VENTURA'S TOP 5 CLAIMS AGAINST RAPPER

Regina Ventura testified towards Sean "Diddy" Combs. (Rashid Umar Abbasi for Fox Information Digital)

Cassie Ventura's mother Regina Ventura and former finest pal Kerry Morgan had been each known as to the stand by the prosecution to testify towards Diddy.

"Regina Ventura, Cassie’s mother, testified for less than quarter-hour, but it surely was among the most impactful testimony of the trial," Rahmani defined. "Regina additionally took photos of Cassie’s bruises and so they had been proven to the jury. Combs was upset Cassie was in a relationship with Child Cudi and Combs demanded that Cassie pay him $20,000. If Cassie refused, Combs stated he would launch two intercourse tapes of her and ship somebody to harm her and Child Cudi. Regina took out a house fairness line to pay Combs the cash.

"This testimony proved coercion, which is a component of intercourse trafficking, and extortion, which is a RICO predicate act. It additionally corroborates Cassie’s account that she was overwhelmed and Combs used the freak off tapes as blackmail."

Cassie's former pal Kerry Morgan testified that she witnessed Diddy turn into violent with the "Me & U" singer. (Ted Shaffrey/AP Picture)

Morgan, who claimed she noticed Diddy turn into bodily abusive with Cassie on a handful of events, was one of many "finest witnesses up to now," in response to Rahmani.

"She noticed Combs punch and drag Ventura throughout the ground," he defined. "After the lodge assault, Combs got here to Ventura’s residence and banged on the door with a hammer. Combs managed each facet of Ventura’s life: her funds, her residence, her automobile, and her profession. This management explains the psychology of abuse and is proof of coercion for the intercourse trafficking expenses."

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Diddy's former assistant David James testified over two days. (Rashid Umar Abbasi for Fox Information Digital)

The prosecution has additionally been presenting proof of Diddy's alleged criminal enterprise with testimony previously two weeks, in response to Rahmani.

"David James, Combs’ former assistant, took the stand and advised jurors that he obtained condoms, Astroglide and Percocet for Combs. This helps show the legal enterprise," he famous.

"Certainly one of Combs’ different assistants, George Kaplan, testified beneath a grant of immunity that he would decide up medicine for Combs and arrange the lodge rooms with child oil and Astroglide for the 'freak offs,' the lawyer stated. "He would additionally clear up the medicine and lodge rooms after the ‘freak offs.’ He additionally described numerous incidents the place Combs was violent with Ventura: on his personal jet with damaged glass, and in his residence with Ventura having bruising on her face. This was extra proof of the legal enterprise, with Combs as the top."

George Kaplan, a former worker of Diddy, testified about establishing lodge rooms for the rapper. (Jonathan Fernandes/Sipa/Reuters)

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The jury has heard from at the least one professional witness up to now, Dr. Dawn Hughes. The scientific psychologist took the stand to supply "blind testimony" about why an individual would keep in an abusive relationship.

The jury heard from Daybreak Hughes, a scientific psychologist. (Jane Rosenberg)

"The psychology professional was useful to the prosecution in answering a lingering query that each juror most definitely has: if Cassie was being trafficked and compelled to do all these horrific issues, why did she keep? The lay individual would most likely assume she stayed as a result of she had emotions regardless of Diddy’s dangerous conduct," Lovell stated. "The professional was capable of present an alternate purpose emanating from abuse trauma the place victims turn into managed by the perpetrator and really feel trapped and helpless."

"She testified it was concerning the energy and management abusers have over the sufferer, which had been the very buzz phrases the prosecution wants for the intercourse trafficking cost," he added. "She was useful to the prosecution, each for offering a purpose for Cassie staying apart from she cherished Combs, in addition to the power and coercion components obligatory for intercourse trafficking."