NEED TO KNOW
- The third week of Sean Combs’ trial began on Tuesday, May 27 in Manhattan federal court
- The prosecution is continuing to build its sex trafficking and racketeering case against the music mogul
- Combs’ former stylist Deonte Nash testified about allegedly seeing the music executive attack Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and how he tried to stop him
Deonte Nash took the stand during the third week of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ high-profile federal trial, testifying that he saw Combs violently attack longtime girlfriend, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura.
In 2013, Nash — Combs’ former stylist — and an assistant named Mia were helping Ventura pack for the OVO festival in Canada when Combs showed up unannounced, he told the court.
“He said, ‘B—-, didn’t I tell you to answer your phone?’” Nash recalled.
Combs allegedly dragged Ventura by the hair and began hitting her, Nash testified.
Calling the assault “very hard,” Nash said Combs allegedly kept beating her until Ventura hit her head on a bed frame, causing her to bleed.
Nash said he and the assistant tried to stop Combs.
“I jumped on Puff’s back,” Nash said. “He threw me off. Mia too,” he said.
But Combs kept attacking her, he testified.
At one point, Combs allegedly said, “Look what y’all made me do.”
Combs’ security guard, D-Roc, was there during the alleged attack, Nash testified.
The next day, Ventura appeared on FaceTime with a gash in her eyebrow, he said.
Earlier on Wednesday, Nash testified about how Combs would often call Ventura degrading names.
On Tuesday, May 27, Combs’ former assistant, Capricorn Clark, testified how Combs allegedly came to her house in December 2011 with a gun wanting her to go with him to kill rapper Kid Cudi, whose real name is Scott Mescudi. Combs was allegedly mad that Ventura and Mescudi briefly dated during a break in their relationship.
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Combs is charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Combs could face up to life in prison if he is convicted on all counts. Since his arrest, he has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
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.
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