See photos prosecutors released of injuries to Diddy's ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura Fine
Editor's note: This story contains graphic images that some readers may find disturbing.
Multiple witnesses in Sean "Diddy" Combs' sweeping federal sex-crimes trial have testified, recalling years of his alleged abuse and violence as prosecutors allege he operated a criminal empire from 2004 to 2024.
The biggest testimony so far has come from his former girlfriend of more than a decade, Casandra "Cassie" Ventura Fine. Over four days, she described the 2016 incident, captured in since-released footage, that showed Combs physically assaulting her in a hotel hallway; spoke about how he'd allegedly beat her repeatedly and pressured her into demeaning sexual performances during "freak offs;" and claimed she'd developed a drug addiction during a time when she was using substances to both keep her "awake" and "numb."
Dawn Richard, a former member of Combs' platinum-selling girl group Danity Kane, told the court on May 19 that she'd witnessed Combs abusing Ventura Fine — as did Ventura Fine's former friend, Kerry Morgan.
Prosecutors release photos in Diddy trial
During the trial, prosecutors showed the jury photographs of baby oil and drugs found in the hotel room where Combs was staying when he was arrested in September, as well as photos of Ventura Fine's injuries allegedly incurred from Combs.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York on May 19 shared exhibits from the case, which had been shown to jurors the prior week, with media outlets.
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What Cassie said about Diddy's alleged abuse
On May 14, jurors in Combs' trial were shown a photo taken in Combs' bedroom, where Ventura Fine was wearing her gown for the premiere of her film "Perfect Match" and a pair of large sunglasses covering her face.
She testified that the glasses were "to cover up my eye" following the 2016 hotel assault, where she "got hit in the face." When asked to describe the photo she'd taken in an Uber home from the hotel, she said it was "a selfie of my fat lip." Of the photo, in which Ventura Fine donned large sunglasses, she said, "I had a black eye underneath. I was trying to cover it."
Prosecutors also showed jurors a red carpet photo where a bruise on Ventura Fine's shoulder was visible, as well as another photo from the afterparty where a bruise could be seen on her right shin.
Also on May 14, Ventura Fine discussed her brief relationship with rapper Kid Cudi in 2011 and Combs' jealousy upon finding out about the relationship.
He allegedly became enraged, lunging at Cassie with a wine bottle opener between his fingers, she testified. However, she said she managed to escape and went to another hotel. As she left Combs' house, Cassie testified that he "kicked me in the back on my way out, and I fell to the floor." When she got back to her hotel room, someone had urinated on the floor, knocked over the furniture and defecated in the toilet without flushing it. "It was disgusting," she said.
The court saw photos of the large bruises she had on her lower back and thigh, taken at the time.
Combs, 55, was arrested in September 2024 on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Dawn Richard describes alleged assaults
Richard said she frequently saw Combs physically abuse Ventura Fine between 2009 and 2011, recalling injuries on her face, arms and knees.
"I saw him punch her, choke her, drag her and kick her," she testified, adding that if Ventura Fine had an opinion or spoke up for herself, "he would hurt her for it."
In one incident, Richard said she witnessed Combs punch Ventura Fine in the face. In another, Combs allegedly punched Ventura Fine in the stomach during a dinner. Richard testified that when Ventura Fine confronted Combs, he grabbed Cassie’s neck and hit her in the mouth.
If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) and Hotline.RAINN.org and en Español RAINN.org/es.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental and/or substance use disorders, you can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's free and confidential treatment referral and information service at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). It's available 24/7 in English and Spanish (TTY: 1-800-487-4889).
Contributing: Paste BN staff, Reuters