<p id=”par-1_67″>In the first week of <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/hip-hop/?swcfpc=1″>hip-hop</a> mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs’ high-profile federal trial in New York City, the courtroom was marked by intense testimony and emotional moments. <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/casandra-cassie-ventura-paid-give-testimony-sean-diddy-combs-trial.html/”>Casandra “Cassie” Ventura</a>, the prosecution’s star witness and Combs’ former partner, delivered <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/diddys-defense-lawyers-hoped-cassie-ventura-would-go-into-labor-while-testifying-forcing-mistrial-prosecutors-claim.html/”>a harrowing four-day account</a> of their 11-year relationship. Her testimony has been pivotal, with corroborating statements from <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/dawn-richard-takes-the-stand-at-diddys-trial-backs-up-cassie-venturas-claims.html/”>former associates like Dawn Richard</a> adding weight to the allegations. </p>
<p id=”par-2_24″>Ventura’s statements could prove damning for Combs. However, Newsweek chief investigative reporter <a href=”https://www.newsweek.com/cassie-ventura-diddy-trial-bombshell-testimony-10-million-settlement-2073502″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Joshua Rhett Miller</a> told Showbiz Cheat Sheet that Combs appeared “relieved.” Here’s why.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-sean-diddy-combs-looked-relieved-following-casandra-cassie-ventura-s-testimony”>Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs looked ‘relieved’ following Casandra ‘Cassie’ Ventura’s testimony</h2>
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<p id=”par-3_62″>In the first week of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal trial, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura delivered a four-day testimony. Ventura described Combs coercing her into participating in “freak-off” sex parties and detailed retaliatory actions taken against her after she ended her relationship with rapper Kid Cudi. <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/sean-p-diddy-combs-no-plans-help-danity-kane-making-the-band-bodyguard-says.html/”>Former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard</a> later corroborated Ventura’s testimony and described Combs’ abusive behavior and alleged threats.</p>
<p id=”par-4_80″>Newsweek chief investigative reporter Joshua Rhett Miller shared his insights with Showbiz Cheat Sheet. “It’s going to be a very tough test for the jury to parse the consent here,” Miller explained. “That’s what this case is about; it’s about consent. … Judging from what I saw from the jury, and then by the reactions by Mr. Combs and his family today, they’re in a place where they would rather be. I saw smiles from Mr. Combs today in court.”</p>
<p id=”par-5_85″>Miller noted that Combs appeared almost “happy” and “sort of relieved” amid Ventura’s testimony later in the week. “There was a break, and he walked out of court for just a second,” Miller said, “and he said good morning to a bailiff, he was speaking to his attorneys the entire day, taking off his glasses, putting them back on, being really engaged when there was a piece of evidence put up on the computer screen. So, he is absolutely a vital part of his defense.” </p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-the-reporter-noted-how-the-case-involves-huge-names-in-the-industry”>The reporter noted how the case involves huge names in the industry</h2>
<p id=”par-6_16″>Big names in entertainment were mentioned during the first week of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial. </p>
<p id=”par-7_54″>“There have been a bevy of names that have been mentioned or referenced during the case: Britney Spears, Bruce Willis, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne,” chief investigative reporter Joshua Rhett Miller told Showbiz Cheat Sheet. “There have been a lot of people, sort of ancillary figures, who Diddy was connected to or somehow affiliated with.”</p>
<p id=”par-8_23″>Miller noted that Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi was referenced during Casandra “Cassie” Ventura’s testimony. Ventura and Kid Cudi dated briefly in 2011. </p>
<p id=”par-9_66″>“I’ve been doing this for 20 years now and it’s one of the most massive cases I’ve ever been at in terms of the star power, and then the public interest, and then all of the other names, like the tertiary characters who are not charged or not part of the case, per say, but they’re in the orbit of these pretty massive luminaries,” Miller continued.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-sean-diddy-combs-trial-continues-with-dawn-richards-in-week-2″>Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ trial continues with Dawn Richards in week 2</h2>
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<p id=”par-10_82″>The second week of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ explosive federal trial continues to play out in New York City. Singer Dawn Richard took the stand on Monday, May 19. She painted a chilling picture of a man who, she claims, ruled through fear. She detailed an incident where Combs beat Casandra “Cassie” Ventura with a skillet and threatened to kill anyone who spoke up. Kerry Morgan, Ventura’s former best friend, echoed those claims, describing a pattern of manipulation, violence, and psychological control. </p>
<p id=”par-11_54″>The prosecution is methodically building a case that hinges on the credibility and emotional weight of these testimonies. However, the defense insists these were messy relationships, not criminal ones. With each witness, the stakes rise — not just for Combs, but for how the entertainment industry reckons with its long history of silenced voices.</p>
<p id=”par-12_32″><strong><em>How to get help:</em></strong><em> In the U.S., call the RAINN National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. </em></p>
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