On the fifth day of Sean “Diddy” Combs high-profile criminal trial, the defense introduced text messages exchanged between the hip hop mogul and singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, offering the jury a raw look into the emotional dynamics of their 11-year relationship during its final days.
“Can I not get a chance to make things right?” Combs wrote to Ventura in 2018, around the time of their final breakup. “I haven’t taken care of you?”
“You took care of me materialistically, not where I needed it,” Ventura replied. “I needed you to love me and put me first.”
Combs is accused of engaging in a years-long pattern of abuse, coercion and control over multiple women.
Ventura was one of the first women to publicly accuse Combs of abuse. In November 2023, she filed a bombshell civil lawsuit alleging years of physical violence and rape. That lawsuit was settled within 24 hours for $20 million, with no admission of guilt from Combs.
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
Despite the swift resolution, the lawsuit prompted a wave of additional allegations and was followed by a broader federal investigation.
In March 2024, federal agents raided Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami as part of an ongoing criminal probe. His current trial stems from evidence uncovered in those raids, as well as testimony from alleged victims and former employees.
Combs is being held without bail and is facing charges that include racketeering and sex trafficking. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.
Read the full article here