Today marks the second day of the rapper’s trial, with his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura scheduled to testify after filing a civil lawsuit against him in November 2023
P Diddy’s lawyers want Cassie Ventura’s husband banned from court during her testimony, according to court reports.
An expectant Cassie Ventura was pictured heading to a New York courtroom to give evidence in the high-profile trial of Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, appearing calm and collected. The legal proceedings against the hip-hop mogul entered their second day (May 13), with Diddy faced with five charges across three federal indictments entailing sex trafficking, conspiracy racketeering, and being involved with prostitution.
With a plea of not guilty for all accusations, Diddy also firmly denies every claim of misconduct, including those detailed in various civil litigations. Among over 120 lawsuits he faces, the first was launched by his former lover Cassie, who is taking the stand today.
Addressing the court, Cassie said: “He would bash my head, knock me over, drag me, kick me, stomp me in the head if I was down.”
Ventura, 38, told jurors she did not want to engage in the Freak Offs but did so to avoid making Combs angry. “I was confused and nervous but I also loved him very much and wanted to make him happy,” Ventura said.
Before this, Diddy lawyers want Cassie’s husband banned from court during her testimony. Diddy’s lawyers have told the judge they want Cassie’s husband Alex Fine to not be in the courtroom while she testifies because they may want to call him up as a witness later in the trial.
The defence is claiming Alex Fine has relevant information regarding an alleged rape of Cassie by Diddy in the the fall of 2018. Diddy’s attorney said Fine sent Diddy a text message saying he ‘wanted to beat the f word out of him.’
They added they are okay with Cassie’s brother to remain in the room while she testifies. Prosecutors argued that Fine is part of the emotional support system for Cassie, who’s pregnant with their third trial and should be in the courtroom when she testifies.
A judge ruled that her husband, Alex Fine, can be in the courtroom for most – but not all – of her testimony.
Cassie has been married to her husband, Alex Fine, since 2019. The pair connected during their time working for Diddy, with Fine originally being Diddy’s personal trainer and then Cassie became his client as well, a source told PEOPLE in November 2023.
Cassie first teased her relationship with Fine in December 2018, two months after confirming her breakup with rapper Diddy . The pair married the following August and welcomed their first daughter, Frankie, in December 2019 and their second daughter, Sunny, in March 2021.
Cassie and Fine are currently expecting baby No. 3 .
Alex was present in court today.
Cassie initiated a civil suit against the rap star in November 2023, citing a ten-year string of abuse involving force and sexual assault. According to the suit, Diddy exploited his industry clout to sign her up and lay the foundation for a “manipulative and coercive romantic and sexual relationship.”
Cassie was the first to speak out about the notorious “freak off” parties. Despite the lawsuit being settled in a day, her name has been repeatedly dragged into the case, particularly after CNN unearthed a video from May 2024 showing Diddy assaulting Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel corridor.
At the time of the video’s release, Diddy held his hands up and took “responsibility” for his actions. However, his legal team have since claimed the footage was “altered, manipulated, sped-up, and edited to be out of sequence,” arguing it shouldn’t be allowed in court.
Witnesses Israel Florez and Daniel Phillip, a professional stripper who allegedly had sex with Cassie while Diddy watched and directed, have already dropped her name in court.
Diddy’s defence team resumed their questioning of Daniel today, claiming his previous statements don’t match up with his courtroom confessions.
After Daniel admitted he was “attracted to her,” Diddy’s lawyers are trying to prove that his revelations are driven by jealousy towards the rapper.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
