Washington Post….
Ventura has already spent four grueling days detailing the drug- and sex-fueled “freak-offs” with male prostitutes that are at the heart of this trial. Combs, 55, is facing five criminal charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution. The music mogul has pleaded not guilty.
Ventura, 38, said she was coerced into organizing and participating in these events. In 2016, she said she was beaten while trying to flee the site of a freak-off at the InterContinental hotel in Los Angeles. Video of the beating was first released by CNN last year. She also alleged that Combs threatened to release sex tapes as a form of blackmail.
Combs’s defense team argues the pair had a volatile, drug-addicted relationship in which both parties were violent. Combs, they said, may be guilty of domestic abuse — but not the crimes he is being charged with. During cross-examination, Ventura was asked to read hundreds of messages between the couple, including some in which she expressed enthusiasm for the freak-offs.
The trial is expected to last eight weeks. Combs also faces more than 70 civil complaints, including one by Richard. He has denied all the allegations against him….
For More.….HERE….
Testimony from CNN ….
Dawn Richard, a former member of the musical group Danity Kane:
- Richard said that after she witnessed Combs’ violent behavior, she told Ventura she should leave. Richard said she did not intervene out of fear for her own safety.
- Richard also testified she didn’t immediately talk about the alleged abuse that she witnessed because Combs and Harve Pierre, the former president of Bad Boy Records, told her not to. When asked what made her speak out, Richard pointed to Ventura.
- Richard testified she “often” saw Combs taking drugs, including weed, ketamine, and cocaine. She didn’t see him take opiates, she testified.
- Richard testified she heard Combs discuss Ventura’s career with her. During those conversations, Combs would sometimes turn violent toward Ventura, but he’d usually say Ventura’s career would progress on his timeline, Richard testified.
- Richard testified she saw Cassie Ventura at different times with injuries on her face, arms and legs after Combs was violent toward his former girlfriend. Ventura attempted to cover up the injuries with clothing, makeup and sunglasses, Richard said….
Jane Rosenberg/Reuter
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