<p id=”par-1_94″>Casandra “Cassie” Ventura continues on the stand in the federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial of <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/hip-hop/?swcfpc=1″>hip-hop</a> mogul <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/sean-combs-legal-team-avoids-calling-diddy-during-trial-think-know.html/”>Sean “Diddy” Combs</a>. As the prosecution’s star witness, <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/casandra-cassie-ventura-paid-give-testimony-sean-diddy-combs-trial.html/”>Ventura detailed a decade-long pattern</a> of alleged abuse, coercion, and manipulation. Under cross-examination, she was compelled to read aloud sexually explicit messages exchanged with Combs. Defense attorneys sought to portray her as a willing participant in Combs’ sexual lifestyle. However, Ventura maintained that her involvement was often the result of coercion and control. So, why was Ventura the first witness to give testimony? Here’s what a litigator explained.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-a-trial-lawyer-explained-why-casandra-cassie-ventura-took-the-stand-early-in-sean-diddy-combs-case”>A trial lawyer explained why Casandra ‘Cassie’ Ventura took the stand early in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ case</h2>
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<p id=”par-2_79″>Casandra “Cassie” Ventura has provided harrowing testimony in the ongoing federal trial of her ex-boyfriend, Sean “Diddy” Combs. She described a decade-long relationship marked by controlling behavior, forced sexual encounters, and threats of violence. Ventura recounted instances where Combs allegedly used drugs to facilitate “freak offs,” coercing her into participating in group sexual activities. Under cross-examination, she acknowledged past communications that could be interpreted as consensual. But she maintained that many of the encounters were nonconsensual and emotionally damaging.</p>
<p id=”par-3_34″>Ventura might have one of the most compelling testimonies in Combs’ case. However, trial lawyer Rich Schoenstein told Law&Crime Network that he expects the prosecution has additional damning evidence yet to be revealed. </p>
<p id=”par-4_71″>“When you’re prosecuting a case like this, you want to start strong,” Schoenstein explained. “And I think some of the idea of putting her on in day two of this trial is to start strong. … But, it can’t be the prosecution’s plan to try this case that now they’re just going to wind their way through some inconsequential witnesses. I mean, they have two more victims, as I understand it.”</p>
<p id=”par-5_32″>Law&Crime’s Jesse Weber also noted that, from a more practical standpoint, <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/cassie-venturas-visible-pregnancy-sympathy-jury-diddy-trial-expert.html/”>Ventura needs to give her testimony</a> before <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/cassie-venturas-due-date-may-be-fast-approaching.html/”>she gives birth</a>. Additionally, the prosecution has been having trouble locating Victim No. 3.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-will-casandra-cassie-ventura-s-husband-alex-fine-testify”>Will Casandra ‘Cassie’ Ventura’s husband, Alex Fine, testify?</h2>
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<div class=”related-article related-article–simple”>
<span class=”related-article-flag”>Related</span>
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<a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/cassie-drops-bombshell-diddy-dating-kim-porter-around-same-time.html/”>
Cassie Drops Bombshell: Diddy Was Dating Her and Kim Porter Around the Same Time </a>
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<p id=”par-6_21″>Legal analyst Elie Honig commented to Stephen A. Smith whether Casandra “Cassie” Ventura’s husband, Alex Fine, is expected to testify. </p>
<p id=”par-7_46″>“Normally, if somebody is a potential witness, they’re supposed to be what we call ‘sequestered,’” Honig noted. This means that the sequestered individual would not see what other witnesses said in their testimonies “because they might conform their testimony to be consistent, or to contradict that.”</p>
<p id=”par-8_27″>“Ordinarily, whatever side is thinking of calling a witness should make sure that that witness is not in the courtroom while other witnesses are testifying,” Honig continued.</p>
<p id=”par-9_43″>The legal analyst noted that if either side needs Fine to take the stand, they will subpoena him. But his relevance remains unknown. However, the defense could potentially call Fine if they believe he could aid their case and contradict Ventura’s statements. </p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-an-executive-music-editor-talked-about-sean-diddy-combs-very-restrictive-terms-for-the-pop-star”>An executive music editor talked about Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ ‘very restrictive’ terms for the pop star</h2>
<p id=”par-10_71″>Jem Aswad, an executive music editor at Variety, spoke to <a href=”https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/live-news/diddy-sean-combs-trial-05-15-25″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>CNN</a> about how Sean “Diddy” Combs struck fear in people in the industry. Aswad called Casandra “Cassie” Ventura a “mid-level star at the time,” noting that her music deal with Combs was “very restrictive.” Ventura signed a 10-album deal with Bad Boy Records but only made one album. This type of deal “locks you up for your career and then some.”</p>
<p id=”par-11_48″>“He was one of the most powerful people in the music business for 20-some years because he was so wealthy and because he had so many people who were willing not only to do what he wanted, but were very afraid to speak out against him,” Aswad continued.</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>
<p id=”par-13_10″><em>For more news and exclusive interviews, follow <a href=”https://www.instagram.com/showbizcheatsheet/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Showbiz Cheat Sheet’s Instagram</a></em>.</p>