Casandra “Cassie” Ventura has returned to the witness stand for a fourth and final time to face further cross-examination as the first week of testimony in Sean “Diddy” Combs’s sex-trafficking trial draws to a close.
The defense team confronted the star witness about explicit text messages between her and Combs yesterday, hoping that the exchanges would show that Ventura willingly participated in the drug-dazed marathon sex sessions, known as “freak-offs.”
Judge Arun Subramanian told the defense they must finish their cross-examination by today at 4:30 p.m. Prosecutors will then have 30 minutes to re-direct. The defense wanted her testimony to extend into next week, but prosecutors argued she’s eight months pregnant and could go into labor at any time.
If she goes into labor before her testimony is over, a mistrial is possible, prosecutors said.
Meanwhile, Justin Bieber broke his silence amid social media speculation that he was a victim of Combs, with his representative telling TMZ the pop star is “not among Sean Combs’ victims.”
Combs is facing sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy charges. Combs was arrested in September 2024 as federal authorities alleged he threatened, abused, and coerced victims “to fulfill his sexual desires” between 2004 and 2024. Combs has denied any accusations of wrongdoing.
Defense reveals texts from Cassie and Diddy after alleged hotel assault
Cassie Ventura and Sean “Diddy” Combs discussed their altercation at the InterContinental Hotel just days after it happened, according to texts shown in court.
The exchange began with Combs asking Ventura to have sex.
“Not a good vibe,” Ventura responded. “We need a different vibe than Friday.”
“F*** Friday lol” Combs wrote back. “I don’t even want to do that again.”
“Lol true,” she responded.
The two ended the exchange by saying they loved each other.
Katie Hawkinson16 May 2025 15:03
Jury reads texts from Cassie to Diddy describing abuse
The jury is hearing a text Cassie Ventura sent Sean “Diddy” Combs about his alleged abuse in March 2016.
“When you get f***** up the wrong way you always want to show me that you have the power and you knock me around,” Ventura wrote. “I’m not a rag doll, I’m someone’s child.”
Ventura has spent much of the week testifying about Combs’s physical and sexual abuse. The 38-year-old previously said she only went along with his “freak offs” because she was afraid he’d hurt her or release footage from the encounters.
Katie Hawkinson16 May 2025 14:48
Cassie Ventura says Diddy was ‘intoxicated’ during hotel incident
Footage of the incident, which was released publicly last year, shows Combs hitting and kicking her.
Defense attorney Anna Estevao asked Ventura if she had previously told investigators that Combs was “black out.”
Ventura said she believes “he was intoxicated” and said everyone perceives black outs differently.
Katie Hawkinson16 May 2025 14:46
Cassie Ventura takes the stand
Cassie Ventura has taken the stand for her final day of testimony.
Katie Hawkinson16 May 2025 14:38
Defense wants to show video of Diddy talking about God from rehad
Sean “Diddy” Combs’s attorneys want to show Cassie Ventura a video he sent her from rehab just weeks after the alleged 2016 Intercontinental Hotel assault.
The defense wants to show Ventura the video because she previously testified that Combs didn’t go to rehab while they were together.
The video shows Combs on a hike in the woods talking about God. The judge said the defense can have Ventura watch it, but the jury can’t consider it evidence.
Katie Hawkinson16 May 2025 14:37
Defense can cross-examine until later this afternoon
The defense can cross-examine star witness Cassie Ventura until 4:30 p.m. today, after which the prosecution will have 30 minutes to re-direct.
Judge Arun Subramanian previously said the defense needs to end their questioning by midday.
Katie Hawkinson16 May 2025 14:32
Cassie Ventura’s husband arrives for her fourth day of testimony
Cassie Ventura’s husband Alex Fine has arrived at Manhattan federal court for her fourth — and likely final — day of testimony in Sean “Diddy” Combs’s sex trafficking trial.

Katie Hawkinson16 May 2025 14:20
Defense and prosecution squabble over Cassie Ventura’s testimony
Prosecutors are warning that Cassie Ventura must finish her testimony today because she’s eight months pregnant and could go into labor as soon as this weekend.
This comes after Sean “Diddy” Combs’s defense team accused prosecutors of purposely delaying Ventura’s testimony so the defense would have less cross-examination time.
But prosecutors argue the defense wants Ventura to return Monday so Combs can review the transcripts and help prepare additional questions over the weekend.
Prosecutors also warned that a mistrial is possible if Ventura goes into labor before her testimony is over.
Katie Hawkinson16 May 2025 14:11
Who will testify today?
Cassie Ventura is set to return to the witness stand today to finish her cross-examination.
Judge Arun Subramanian warned the defense team to end their questioning by midday.
After Ventura is dismissed, prosecutors will call Dawn Richard to the stand, they told Subramanian yesterday. Richard sued Sean “Diddy” Combs last year, alleging years of physical and sexual abuse. Richard also says she saw Combs abuse Ventura.
Read more about the lawsuit:
Katie Hawkinson16 May 2025 14:07
Cassie Ventura to return to stand soon
Cassie Ventura is set to return to the witness stand, possibly for the final time this week at Manhattan federal court, as she faces further examination by Sean Combs’ legal team.
Judge Arun Subramanian wants to wrap the cross-examination up quickly, directing the defense team to finish by midday. Both sides have tentatively agreed to conclude Ventura’s testimony by lunch, although it could run for most of the day. A rebuttal from prosecutors will follow.
Testimony is scheduled to resume at 9.30 a.m.
James Liddell16 May 2025 14:00