SEAN COMBS TRIAL: DAY 4

BY SNN.BZ STAFF

On May 15, 2025, the fourth day of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial in Manhattan’s Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse, the focus remained on the cross-examination of key witness Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, Combs’ former girlfriend. Below is a recap of the day’s key events. This report is being released near noon time (we still have an entire afternoon to go).

Cross-Examination of Cassie Ventura

• Ventura, who began testifying on May 13, continued her testimony under cross-examination by defense attorney Anna Estevao. The defense aimed to portray Ventura as a willing participant in the “freak-off” sexual events, challenging the prosecution’s narrative of coercion and abuse. Estevao presented text messages from Ventura to Combs, including an August 2009 exchange where Ventura expressed excitement about a sexual event, and an April 2010 message stating, “I love you so much it consumes my life,” to suggest mutual affection and consent.
• Ventura acknowledged the messages but pushed back against the defense’s claim that she willingly engaged in “freak-offs.” She testified that these events became “an integral part” of their relationship early on, but her participation was driven by a desire to please Combs and avoid his anger, not genuine enthusiasm. She described feeling “humiliated” and “disgusting” during these drug-fueled sessions, which often involved male escorts and could last days.
• The defense questioned Ventura about the nature of their 11-year relationship (2007–2018), emphasizing moments of love and mutual desire. Ventura confirmed she loved Combs but reiterated that his control and threats, including blackmail with “freak-off” recordings, shaped her compliance.
• Estevao’s cross-examination, which began in a gentle tone, was expected to continue into Friday, May 16, as the defense projected needing the full day and possibly more time. Prosecutors stressed that Ventura, who is pregnant and due in June 2025, needed to complete her testimony by Friday due to her condition.

Courtroom Dynamics

• The jury, composed of 12 members and six alternates from Manhattan, the Bronx, and Westchester, continued to hear graphic testimony. Explicit images from “freak-off” videos were shown, prompting emotional reactions; Ventura reportedly requested a break after one explicit message was introduced.
• Combs’ family, including his mother Janice and sons Christian, Justin, and Quincy, were present, though his teenage daughters, who attended earlier days, were absent during Wednesday’s explicit testimony and not noted on Thursday. Combs appeared engaged, taking notes and communicating support to his family.
• Judge Arun Subramanian presided, managing procedural issues, including discussions about evidence and witness contact with attorneys. The court adjourned for the day, with Ventura’s cross-examination set to resume the next morning at 9:30 a.m. EDT.

Defense and Prosecution Strategies

• The defense, led by Teny Geragos, Marc Agnifilo, and others, continued to frame Combs’ actions as part of a consensual “swingers lifestyle,” arguing that Ventura and other women were “strong, capable adults” who benefited from their relationships with Combs. They questioned Ventura’s motives, citing her $20 million settlement from a 2023 civil lawsuit against Combs as a potential financial incentive.
• Prosecutors, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson, maintained that Combs used his power, drugs, and violence to coerce women into “freak-offs,” with Ventura’s testimony reinforcing allegations of a pattern of abuse and blackmail. They emphasized the 2016 hotel surveillance video, shown earlier in the trial, depicting Combs assaulting Ventura, as evidence of his violent control.

Pending Motion

• The motion filed by Ventura’s attorney, Douglas Wigdor, to seal “freak-off” videos remained unresolved. Media outlets, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, advocated for public access, citing First Amendment rights, while Ventura’s team argued that releasing the footage would retraumatize her and other alleged victims. No ruling was reported by the end of Day 4.

Public and Media Attention

• The trial continued to generate significant interest, with posts on X discussing Ventura’s testimony and the explicit nature of the evidence, using hashtags like #DiddyTrial and #CassieVentura. Courtroom sketches by artists like Jane Rosenberg captured key moments, as federal rules prohibit photos or live streams.

Context on Combs’ Charges

• 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. Conviction could result in 15 years to life in prison. He has been detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since September 2024, with bail denied due to flight risk concerns.

Day 4 Summary Day 4 centered on Ventura’s cross-examination, with the defense probing her relationship with Combs to argue consent, while Ventura’s testimony underscored coercion and abuse. The emotionally charged proceedings, coupled with unresolved evidentiary issues, kept the trial in the spotlight, with Ventura’s testimony expected to conclude soon due to her pregnancy because her due date is expected to be June 1st.