Sean 'Diddy' Combs faces serious sex trafficking charges in Manhattan trial with Cassie Ventura testifying
Shreeaa Rathi | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | May 16, 2025, 18:44 IST
( Image credit : AP, TOIGLOBAL )
In Manhattan federal court, the trial of music mogul Sean Combs is underway, with gripping testimony from his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. Facing severe charges including sex trafficking, Combs is accused of a long history of abuse, as Ventura recounted harrowing experiences of violence and substance abuse. The defense countered with text messages that they argue indicate consent.
Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial continues in Manhattan federal court, with his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, the prosecution's star witness, undergoing cross-examination. Combs, 55, faces charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution, accused of abusing, threatening, and coercing women into sexual encounters and using his empire to conceal his crimes. The defense is attempting to demonstrate Ventura's consensual participation through text messages, while Ventura has detailed violence and abuse during her relationship with Combs.
The trial is expected to last at least eight weeks. A jury of 12 New Yorkers and six alternates will decide his fate.
Federal prosecutors allege Combs engaged in decades of abuse, threats, and coercion. They say he forced women into "freak offs" and used his business, guns, kidnapping, and arson to hide his actions.
Ventura described her relationship with Combs as frequently marked by violence and physical abuse. She detailed the drug-fueled "freak offs" that would take days to recover from.
Jurors were shown a 2016 surveillance video. The video depicted Combs hitting, kicking, and dragging Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel hallway.
The defense team presented hundreds of text messages between Ventura and Combs. These messages spanned their relationship.
The defense argues the texts show Ventura was a consensual participant in the "freak offs." They claim she sometimes even planned them herself.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is being held without bail in a Brooklyn jail.
If convicted, Combs could face life in prison.
"freak offs"
The trial continues with Ventura on the witness stand. Reporters and news organizations, including the Associated Press, CNN, the New York Times, and NBC News, are covering the proceedings.
"The trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs continues in Manhattan federal court on Friday, with Cassie Ventura, his former girlfriend and the prosecution’s star witness, returning to the witness stand for more cross-examination."
"The 55-year-old hip-hop mogul is facing charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution."
"Federal prosecutors say that for decades, Combs abused, threatened and coerced women to participate in marathon sexual encounters called \"freak offs\" and used his business empire, along with guns, kidnapping and arson, to conceal his crimes."
"During three days of direct questioning, Ventura told the court her more than decade-long relationship with Combs was frequently marked by violence and physical abuse, describing in detail the drug-fueled \"freak offs\" that would take days to recover from."
"Jurors were also shown a 2016 surveillance video of Combs hitting, kicking and dragging Ventura in the hallway of a Los Angeles hotel."
"The defense team on Thursday presented hundreds of text messages between Ventura and Combs from throughout their relationship in an attempt to show that Ventura was a consensual participant in the \"freak offs,\" sometimes even planning them herself."
"Combs has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he could face life in prison. He is being held without bail in a Brooklyn jail."
The trial is expected to last at least eight weeks.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, resources are available. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
The trial is expected to last at least eight weeks. A jury of 12 New Yorkers and six alternates will decide his fate.
Federal prosecutors allege Combs engaged in decades of abuse, threats, and coercion. They say he forced women into "freak offs" and used his business, guns, kidnapping, and arson to hide his actions.
Ventura described her relationship with Combs as frequently marked by violence and physical abuse. She detailed the drug-fueled "freak offs" that would take days to recover from.
Jurors were shown a 2016 surveillance video. The video depicted Combs hitting, kicking, and dragging Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel hallway.
The defense team presented hundreds of text messages between Ventura and Combs. These messages spanned their relationship.
The defense argues the texts show Ventura was a consensual participant in the "freak offs." They claim she sometimes even planned them herself.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is being held without bail in a Brooklyn jail.
If convicted, Combs could face life in prison.
"freak offs"
The trial continues with Ventura on the witness stand. Reporters and news organizations, including the Associated Press, CNN, the New York Times, and NBC News, are covering the proceedings.
"The trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs continues in Manhattan federal court on Friday, with Cassie Ventura, his former girlfriend and the prosecution’s star witness, returning to the witness stand for more cross-examination."
"The 55-year-old hip-hop mogul is facing charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution."
"Federal prosecutors say that for decades, Combs abused, threatened and coerced women to participate in marathon sexual encounters called \"freak offs\" and used his business empire, along with guns, kidnapping and arson, to conceal his crimes."
"During three days of direct questioning, Ventura told the court her more than decade-long relationship with Combs was frequently marked by violence and physical abuse, describing in detail the drug-fueled \"freak offs\" that would take days to recover from."
"Jurors were also shown a 2016 surveillance video of Combs hitting, kicking and dragging Ventura in the hallway of a Los Angeles hotel."
"The defense team on Thursday presented hundreds of text messages between Ventura and Combs from throughout their relationship in an attempt to show that Ventura was a consensual participant in the \"freak offs,\" sometimes even planning them herself."
"Combs has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he could face life in prison. He is being held without bail in a Brooklyn jail."
The trial is expected to last at least eight weeks.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, resources are available. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).