As the second week of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal trial unfolds in New York, the courtroom drama has taken a dark turn.
The music mogul is facing explosive allegations involving abuse, coercion, and disturbing sexual misconduct.
What’s emerging isn’t just a legal battle—it’s a painful unpacking of years of alleged trauma from women in his inner circle.
At the heart of it all is singer Cassie Ventura, Diddy’s former girlfriend, who spent four emotional days on the stand last week recounting their tumultuous 11-year relationship.
Now, other voices are joining in—including Cassie’s former best friend and a fellow artist—painting a chilling picture of power, control, and fear behind the scenes of one of hip-hop’s biggest names.
Dawn Richard Says Diddy Threatened Her Life
On Monday, singer and former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard took the witness stand and dropped a bombshell: she claimed Diddy once threatened to kill her if she ever spoke up about seeing him physically assault Cassie.
Her statement adds weight to the already disturbing testimony given by Cassie, who described being forced into drug-fueled “freak-offs” involving male sex workers, orchestrated by Diddy.
Cassie said these weekly events left her physically and emotionally shattered, stalling her music career and sense of self.
Cassie’s 2016 Assault and the Aftermath
Jurors were shown a photograph of Cassie with a visibly swollen lip—evidence from an assault in 2016 that she said occurred just days before a major career milestone.
She had been heading home in an Uber, she testified, and texted Diddy with these gut-wrenching words:
“I have a premiere for the biggest thing I’ve ever done in my life on Monday.
You are sick for thinking it’s OK to do what you’ve done.”
According to Cassie, Diddy responded by claiming he was going to be arrested.
Her then-best friend, model Kerry Morgan, was horrified when she saw Cassie’s injuries and called the police.
But when officers arrived, Cassie chose not to name her attacker—she said she wasn’t ready to hurt him that way and was overwhelmed.
Inside the Night of the Brutal Hotel Beating
Cassie also described what triggered that 2016 incident.
She said she had walked out of one of the so-called “freak-offs” because things were getting violent, and she didn’t want to show up at her movie premiere with bruises.
Trying to escape, she waited until Diddy was in the shower, grabbed her things, and bolted barefoot toward the elevator. But he caught up with her.
“Sean followed me into the hallway by the elevators.
He grabbed me, threw me on the ground, kicked me, tried to drag me back to the room.”
When asked how often she’d been thrown to the ground like what was seen in the video evidence, Cassie replied simply:
“Too many to count.”
The Men Allegedly Forced Into Cassie’s Life
In her testimony, Cassie also spoke in detail about numerous porn stars and male escorts she was allegedly pressured into sleeping with—without protection—while Diddy watched.
These acts were part of the “freak-off” culture that she said left her feeling stripped of autonomy and dignity.
A Chilling Scene in Jamaica: Kerry Morgan Testifies
Cassie’s former friend Kerry Morgan also took the stand, sharing her own disturbing memory from a 2013 trip to Jamaica.
She said she heard Cassie screaming and ran down the hallway, only to find Diddy dragging her by the hair out of a room.
“He pushed Cassie on the ground and she hit her head on a brick,” Morgan told the court. “She didn’t move. I thought she was unconscious.”
Morgan described the scream as “guttural, terrifying”—a haunting moment that stuck with her.
Cassie’s Allegations Against Diddy’s Inner Circle
According to Cassie, Diddy didn’t act alone. She named several people in his entourage who allegedly helped maintain control over her.
That includes Kristina Khorram and Neil Dominic, who were described as his “trusted assistants.”
Khorram, in particular, has been referred to by others as “the Ghislaine Maxwell to Diddy’s Jeffrey Epstein”—though she has not been charged with any crime.
Cassie explained that Khorram was deeply involved in every aspect of Diddy’s world—from his moods to scheduling—and knew many intimate details about Cassie’s life.
Punishment and Control: Cassie Describes Life Under Surveillance
Another key player Cassie mentioned was Diddy’s bodyguard “R. Rock,” who, at Diddy’s direction, would confiscate her belongings as punishment—her car, her jewelry, even her apartment access.
She claimed she often tried to hide from Diddy, but his team would always find her.
Other security names mentioned included Roger Bonds, Uncle Paulie, Faheem, and Malik—figures Cassie said contributed to the atmosphere of intimidation.
The Collapse of a Friendship and Secret Settlement
Cassie testified that she and Kerry Morgan were once inseparable, but their friendship crumbled in 2018 after Diddy allegedly assaulted Morgan with a wooden hanger, resulting in a concussion.
Cassie claimed that Diddy later paid Morgan to settle the matter, and she herself gave Morgan more money in hopes of healing the fallout.
The relationship between the two women has been strained ever since.
Diddy Visibly Upset with His Legal Team
During cross-examination of Dawn Richard, Diddy seemed frustrated with his own defense attorney, Nicole Westmoreland.
A private conversation caught on a hot mic revealed Diddy questioning the approach of her cross-examination.
“Why didn’t they play the interview?” he asked, although it wasn’t clear which interview he meant.
Despite being reassured that preparation had been extensive, he appeared dissatisfied with how things were going.
No Cameras, Just Sketches: Why You Won’t See the Trial on TV
For those wondering why there’s no live footage of this trial, it’s because federal court rules prohibit cameras and most electronic devices.
The only visuals being released from the courtroom are artist sketches.
Still, Daily Mail is keeping close tabs on the trial through its podcast, The Trial, where you can hear firsthand accounts of the dramatic testimony and behind-the-scenes moments.
What Police Found in Diddy’s Hotel Room
During testimony from Special Agent Yasin Binda, jurors were told what was discovered in Diddy’s hotel room following his arrest last September.
The list included baby oil, mood lighting, ketamine, and MDMA—all allegedly found in ziplock bags in the hallway closet.
Prosecutors believe Diddy was anticipating his arrest, having stayed in New York for 11 days prior.
One of Diddy’s Lawyers Quit Before Trial
Back in February, attorney Anthony Ricco officially withdrew from the case.
In a court filing, Ricco stated, “under no circumstances can I continue to effectively serve as counsel for Sean Combs.”
Though discussions were held with the lead defense lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, Ricco ultimately stepped away before trial proceedings began.