Maintaining 'Mr. Combs' kingdom'
This newsletter contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing.
Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial kicked off its third week with three witnesses who shared testimony that corroborated Cassie Ventura Fine's recollection of the abuse and violence she allegedly experienced for over a decade.
On the stand May 19, former Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard and Ventura Fine's past best friend Kerry Morgan said they'd witnessed Combs abusing Ventura Fine, with Morgan alleging she was also a victim of his violence. As the day came to a close, Combs' ex-assistant, David James, revealed conversations he'd had with Ventura Fine and also became emotional as he recalled how he'd started working for the music mogul.
Read on for the biggest moments from testimony on May 19.
All of the biggest celebrity stories, in your inbox every day: Sign up for the entertainment newsletter.
Dawn Richard told Cassie to leave Diddy
Richard, Combs' former Diddy – Dirty Money collaborator, told the court she'd frequently see Combs physically abusing Ventura Fine between 2009 and 2011. "I saw him punch her, choke her, drag her and kick her," she said.
The abuse would stem from "Cassie speaking up for herself," expressing an opinion and indicating she wanted to perform, per Richard: "He would hurt her for it." She added that she'd told Ventura Fine she should leave her relationship with Combs, but Cassie would appear "torn." Richard testified, "She would listen, but I could see the fear."
During a tense cross-examination by Combs' legal team, Richard was questioned about inconsistencies such as giving versions of events to officials that deviated from her testimony and not mentioning certain details in interviews with prosecutors. She called her testimony "not a story change, (but) different," and later explained, "I have to go back to memory that I didn't want to come back to."
Kerry Morgan: Cassie didn't want police involved
Morgan and Ventura Fine were friends from their modeling days in 2001 up until Combs allegedly attacked Morgan in Ventura Fine's home in 2018. The two have not been in touch because Morgan saw Ventura Fine as unsupportive after the alleged incident; she also said a nondisclosure agreement and a $30,000 payment were involved. "I draw my line at physical abuse," Morgan told the court.
The alleged attack involved Combs grabbing Morgan by the neck and throwing a wooden hanger that hit her head, Morgan said. She also testified she saw Combs assault Ventura Fine several times, and she'd told her friend to leave him. But Ventura Fine had "said she couldn't" and would cite her job, car and apartment were contingent on her relationship with Combs; he controlled everything, Morgan claimed.
She also said she didn't call the police because Ventura Fine "didn’t want me to."
David James: Cassie said she 'can't get out' from Diddy's influence
James, who worked for Combs from 2007 to 2009, recalled a conversation he'd had with Ventura Fine at one point during her relationship with Combs. "Man, this lifestyle’s crazy," he remembered her saying, as well as the admission that she "can't get out" of the lifestyle. He didn't think she could leave Combs, he testified.
James also told the court one comment stood out in his mind when he thought back on the initial job interview process with Combs' team. A female staff member at the time told him "This is Mr. Combs' kingdom. We're all here to serve it," he said, his voice cracking.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish. Help is available for those who are struggling or in crisis. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.
Thank you for subscribing to this newsletter. You can follow me at @reporterkimi on Instagram and reach me at kimi.robinson@usatoday.com.