:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(708x356:710x358)/kid-cudi-diddy-trial-052225-2-d3a053bc244c461ba505cd2127882210.jpg "Kid Cudi Testifies in Diddy Trial — as Claim Resurfaces of Corkscrew Attack Against Cassie")
NEED TO KNOW
- Kid Cudi arrived at a Manhattan court on Thursday to testify in the high-profile trial of Diddy
- The rapper’s testimony could be central to the prosecution’s claims Diddy ran a criminal empire
- Kid Cudi was in a brief relationship with Cassie, Combs’ on-again, off-again former girlfriend and the prosecution’s star witness in the ongoing trial
Rapper Kid Cudi is in a Manhattan federal courtroom today to testify in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial, which is about to wrap up its second week.
The Grammy-award winning rapper, whose legal name is Scott Mescudi, was mentioned during the testimony of Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, Combs’ on-again, off-again ex-girlfriend who alleged Combs assaulted her when he found out she was dating Mescudi.
During Ventura’s testimony last week, she reiterated claims she made in a 2023 lawsuit against Combs, claiming Combs became “enraged” when he learned she was dating Mescudi.
Ventura and Combs were in a “rough patch” in their relationship at the time, she previously claimed in the lawsuit.
In an alleged 2011 incident, Ventura was at a “Freak Off” upon Combs’ insistence when he came upon email exchanges between her and Mescudi, Ventura alleged in the lawsuit.
Combs allegedly “lunged” at Ventura with a corkscrew between his fingers, the lawsuit claims.
During her testimony last week, Ventura said: “I just remember him putting a wine opener between his fingers and lunging at me.”
After Ventura escaped to Mescudi’s house, Combs allegedly sent his associates to bring her back with the ruse of resolving the situation. When Ventura showed up, Combs allegedly beat and kicked her, she said in both the lawsuit and her testimony in court.
He also allegedly threatened to release her “Freak Off” videos, she said during her testimony, a claim repeated by her mother in court this week.
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.
Ventura also testified that Combs had told her Mescudi’s car would be blown up and that Combs wanted Mescudi’s friends to see it.
Around the same time this alleged threat was made, Mescudi’s car blew up outside his home — an incident Combs has been accused by prosecutors of orchestrating.
Mescudi’s testimony can be critical for the prosecution because it is central to the racketeering charge, wherein federal prosecutors allege Combs ran a criminal enterprise for two decades and committed such crimes as arson.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/diddy-cassie-ventura-injuries-5-052025-2f975a29386646ee8f3c91f3e05610bf.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/diddy-regina-ventura-court-sketch-052025-230af134b5124bc785cd1c6365726709.jpg)
Earlier this week, the jury heard testimony from witnesses alleging Combs abused Ventura and carried a trove of drugs on him, including pills with former president Barack Obama’s face on them. Law enforcement officials revealed the firearm components, baby oil and pink ketamine they found in his possession during their investigation.
Combs has not been charged with drugs or firearms related offenses. He is on trial for racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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