In a gripping testimony during the ongoing sex trafficking trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, former girlfriend and R&B singer Cassie (legal name Casandra Ventura) revealed harrowing accounts of abuse and sexual exploitation that she allegedly endured throughout their tumultuous relationship. Cassie took the witness stand for the first time on Tuesday in New York, detailing the psychological and physical turmoil she experienced while dating Combs.
With visible emotion, Cassie described the pressure she felt to participate in extended “freak off” sex parties, which involved male sex workers. “He would mash me in the head, knock me over, drag me, kick me. Stomp me in the head if I was down,” she recounted, highlighting the violent nature of their relationship. The testimony revealed the extent of Combs' alleged violence, which resulted in bruises and black eyes. Cassie expressed her fear of refusing Combs’ demands, citing concerns over potential violence and the existence of blackmail videos from the “freak offs” that could be shared online.
Cassie filed a lawsuit against Combs in 2023, alleging years of abuse. Although the lawsuit was settled within hours, it sparked numerous similar claims against the music executive, leading to the current criminal investigation. As the star witness for the prosecution, Cassie accuses Combs of leveraging his powerful status to create a devastating empire of exploitation that coerced women into abusive situations.
Lawyers representing Combs, a three-time Grammy winner, argue that while he may have exhibited violent behavior, the sexual acts were consensual. Attorney Teny Geragos stated during opening arguments that the accusers were motivated by financial gain, asserting that although jurors may view Combs unfavorably, “he’s not charged with being a jerk.” Combs, aged 55, has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is currently incarcerated following his arrest in September. If convicted, he could face a potential sentence ranging from 15 years to life in prison.
During her testimony, Cassie, now 38, recalled how her relationship with Combs began when she was just 19 years old. As she described their early days, she noted that Combs had significant control over every aspect of her life, from her career to her personal choices. “Sean controlled a lot of my life, whether it was career, the way I dressed, everything,” she testified, illustrating the manipulative dynamics of their relationship.
She explained that the "freak offs," which began when she was just 22, were orchestrated events driven by Combs' interest in voyeurism. These encounters often lasted up to four days and involved significant physical and emotional tolls on her. “Freak offs became a job where there was no space to do anything else but to recover,” Cassie stated, indicating the exhaustion and trauma she suffered after each event.
In a particularly poignant moment, Cassie identified herself in security footage from 2016 that captured Combs attacking her in a hotel hallway. This video, a critical piece of evidence in the trial, shows Combs physically assaulting her, an act that led to public outrage and further scrutiny of his actions. Cassie described how the violence often stemmed from the smallest perceived slights, saying, “You make the wrong face, and the next thing I knew I was getting hit in the face.”
Cassie's testimony paints a complex picture of Combs as both a charming figure and a polarizing person, making it challenging for her to navigate her feelings. “It’s hard to really be able to decide in that moment what you need, when he’s telling you what he wants,” she reflected, underscoring the emotional manipulation that characterized their relationship.
As the trial continues, the implications of Cassie's testimony and the evidence presented will be crucial in determining the outcome of this high-profile case. Combs remains a significant figure in the music industry, known for founding Bad Boy Records and collaborating with numerous A-list artists, but the allegations have cast a long shadow over his legacy.
