SEAN COMBS TRIAL DAY 4: RAW AUDIO
CASSIE VENTURA CONTINUES 4TH DAY OF TESTIMONY
BY SNN.BZ
Here’s a recap of Day 4 (May 15, 2025) of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal RICO and sex trafficking trial at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse in Manhattan, based on available reports. The focus was on the ongoing cross-examination of Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, a key prosecution witness, with significant courtroom developments and emotional testimony. Below are the details, presented factually and concisely to align with the trial’s progression.
Key Developments on Day 4
- Cassie Ventura’s Cross-Examination:
- Ventura, who began testifying on May 13, faced continued cross-examination by defense attorney Anna Estevao. The defense sought to portray Ventura’s participation in “freak-off” sexual events as consensual, presenting text messages to suggest mutual affection and willingness. A 2009 text showed Ventura expressing excitement about a “freak-off,” and an April 2010 message read, “I love you so much it consumes my life.” Estevao used these to argue Ventura was an active participant in a “swingers lifestyle.”
- Ventura countered that her participation was driven by fear of Combs’ anger and a desire to please him, not genuine consent. She described feeling “humiliated” and “disgusting” during the drug-fueled “freak-offs,” which involved male escorts, drugs like ketamine, and could last days. She testified that Combs’ control—through financial dependence, threats, and blackmail with “freak-off” recordings—left her unable to refuse.
- Ventura became emotional when explicit images from “freak-off” videos were shown, requesting a break. She detailed physical abuse, including a 2013 incident that left a gash on her head, and said she hid injuries from her family. She also revealed a 2023 suicide attempt due to lingering trauma, stopped by her husband, Alex Fine.
- The defense’s questioning, described as initially gentle, was projected to extend into Friday, May 16, with Estevao needing a full day or more. Prosecutors noted Ventura, pregnant and due in June 2025, needed to conclude her testimony by Friday due to her condition.
- Ventura, who began testifying on May 13, faced continued cross-examination by defense attorney Anna Estevao. The defense sought to portray Ventura’s participation in “freak-off” sexual events as consensual, presenting text messages to suggest mutual affection and willingness. A 2009 text showed Ventura expressing excitement about a “freak-off,” and an April 2010 message read, “I love you so much it consumes my life.” Estevao used these to argue Ventura was an active participant in a “swingers lifestyle.”
- Courtroom Details:
- The jury, consisting of 12 members and six alternates from Manhattan, the Bronx, and Westchester, observed the testimony, which included graphic evidence prompting visible reactions. Combs’ mother, Janice, and sons Christian, Justin, and Quincy, attended, but his teenage daughters were not noted as present, likely due to the explicit content. Combs took notes and mouthed, “I’m OK,” to his family.
- Ventura’s husband and family were also in attendance, supporting her. Judge Arun Subramanian oversaw proceedings, addressing evidentiary matters, including witness contact with attorneys. The court adjourned with Ventura’s cross-examination incomplete, set to resume at 9:30 a.m. EDT on May 16.
- The jury, consisting of 12 members and six alternates from Manhattan, the Bronx, and Westchester, observed the testimony, which included graphic evidence prompting visible reactions. Combs’ mother, Janice, and sons Christian, Justin, and Quincy, attended, but his teenage daughters were not noted as present, likely due to the explicit content. Combs took notes and mouthed, “I’m OK,” to his family.
- Prosecution and Defense Strategies:
- Prosecutors, led by Emily Johnson, used Ventura’s testimony to reinforce Combs’ alleged pattern of coercive control, supported by the 2016 hotel surveillance video (shown earlier) depicting Combs assaulting Ventura. They highlighted her accounts of violence, drug use, and blackmail to argue the “freak-offs” were non-consensual.
- The defense, including Teny Geragos, Marc Agnifilo, and Brian Steel, argued the “freak-offs” were consensual acts within a mutual relationship, citing Ventura’s $20 million settlement from a 2023 civil lawsuit as a potential motive. They questioned her credibility by emphasizing moments of affection and alleging her own violent behavior toward Combs.
- Prosecutors, led by Emily Johnson, used Ventura’s testimony to reinforce Combs’ alleged pattern of coercive control, supported by the 2016 hotel surveillance video (shown earlier) depicting Combs assaulting Ventura. They highlighted her accounts of violence, drug use, and blackmail to argue the “freak-offs” were non-consensual.
- Motion to Seal “Freak-Off” Videos:
- The motion by Ventura’s attorney, Douglas Wigdor, to seal the “freak-off” videos remained pending. Media outlets, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, pushed for public access, citing First Amendment rights, while Ventura’s team argued that release would retraumatize her and other alleged victims. Judge Subramanian had not ruled by the end of Day 4.
- The motion by Ventura’s attorney, Douglas Wigdor, to seal the “freak-off” videos remained pending. Media outlets, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, pushed for public access, citing First Amendment rights, while Ventura’s team argued that release would retraumatize her and other alleged victims. Judge Subramanian had not ruled by the end of Day 4.
- Public and Media Interest:
- The trial continued to draw intense attention, with X posts amplifying Ventura’s testimony and the graphic evidence, using hashtags like #DiddyTrial, #CassieVentura, and #VenturaTestimony. Courtroom sketches by artists like Jane Rosenberg circulated, as federal rules prohibit photography or live streaming.
Case Background
- Combs, 55, faces five counts: racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Prosecutors allege he ran a criminal enterprise for two decades, coercing women into sexual acts through violence, drugs, and blackmail. A conviction could lead to 15 years to life in prison. Combs has been detained without bail since September 2024, deemed a flight risk.
Summary Day 4 centered on Ventura’s emotional and pivotal testimony, with the defense challenging her claims of coercion through text messages and relationship dynamics, while Ventura maintained she was controlled and abused.
The unresolved motion to seal the “freak-off” videos and the graphic evidence kept the trial in the headlines, with Ventura’s cross-examination set to continue. The case, expected to last eight to ten weeks, remains a focal point of public and media scrutiny.
Sources: This recap draws from trial coverage by The New York Times, CNN, NBC News, The Washington Post, and X posts reflecting public sentiment, ensuring factual accuracy.
