Pop singer testifies to Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ abuse, faces sharp cross-examination

The jury in the trial of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs will hear more witnesses this week following the dramatic testimony from his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura.

Content warning: This story contains allegations of sexual assault.

NEW YORK - Pop singer Dawn Richard told a jury on Monday that she saw Sean “Diddy” Combs beat his girlfriend repeatedly, but she faced sharp questioning from a defence lawyer over apparent inconsistencies in her account.

Richard, a former member of the pop group Danity Kane, testified during Combs’ sex trafficking trial that she feared for her life after Combs told her to keep quiet about the alleged beatings and that he comes from a place where people “go missing.”

Danity Kane was signed with Combs’ record label. She worked directly with the mogul and often saw him with his then-girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, who last week testified to years of Combs’ alleged physical and emotional abuse.

“I was shocked but also scared,” Richard told jurors on Monday, saying she feared she and her band mates “could die” if they spoke up.

Richard was on the stand for the sixth day of the high-profile trial in Manhattan federal court.

Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to five felony counts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.

He has been held since September in a Brooklyn jail when not in court. If convicted on all counts, he could face 15 years to life in prison. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to five felony counts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.

The trial in Manhattan federal court, which has drawn intense media coverage because of Combs’ wealth and towering influence in the music industry, could last two months.

During a pointed cross-examination that revealed many apparent inconsistencies in her account, Richard admitted to giving different versions of the events and not mentioning certain details during her interviews with prosecutors.

The apparent discrepancies included saying she saw Combs throw a pan at Ventura in 2009 versus only hearing it, not mentioning Combs’ alleged threats during interviews with prosecutors and telling jurors she saw Combs do drugs despite previously telling prosecutors she hadn’t.

The questioning by defence lawyer Nicole Westmoreland was notably more pointed than other lawyers’ cross-examinations of prior witnesses.

“We can agree your testimony has changed on quite a few things?” defence lawyer Nicole Westmoreland asked.

“I think as time progresses I get better at knowing what went on because it was quite a long time ago,” Richard replied.

The 38-year-old Ventura, a rhythm and blues singer known as Cassie, said over four days of testimony last week that Combs coerced and blackmailed her into days of drug-fueled sex parties he called “Freak Offs,” the heart of the prosecution’s case.

Ventura, the prosecution’s star witness, said she suffered years of physical and emotional abuse during their tumultuous relationship, and that Combs raped her in August 2018 at her home after they broke up.

“I just remember crying and saying no, but it was very fast,” she said last week, as her voice trailed off.

A lawyer representing Combs sought to undercut the rape claim, showing jurors text messages indicating Ventura had consensual sex with Combs a month after the alleged rape.

Richard testified Friday that she saw Combs throw a pan of eggs at Ventura and hit her after flying into a rage because she was taking too long to prepare his food, one of many alleged attacks Richard said she witnessed.

Richard said Combs summoned her and her band mates to the studio the next day, gave them flowers and said their careers would be harmed if they reported the incident.

Ventura did not testify about the alleged 2009 attack, but recounted many other alleged attacks over the course of her 11-year relationship with Combs.

Combs, previously known as Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, founded Bad Boy Records, and is credited with helping turn artists like Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Notorious B.I.G. and Usher into stars in the 1990s and 2000s.

Part of the criminal case stems from Ventura’s November 2023 civil lawsuit against Combs. She testified that he agreed after 24 hours to settle for US$20 million.

Richard has filed her own civil lawsuit against Combs alleging he subjected her to inhumane working conditions, including groping and assault, and that she saw Combs brutally beat Ventura many times.

By Jack Queen

(Reporting by Jack Queen in New York; Editing by Cynthia Osterman, Nick Zieminski and Noeleen Walder)

Resources for sexual assault survivors in Canada to include in relevant articles:

If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:

• Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety.
• The Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres' website has a comprehensive list of sexual assault centres in Canada that offer information, advocacy and counselling. 
• The Ending Violence Association of Canada‘s website has links to helplines, support services and locations across Canada that offer sexual assault kits.
• Indian Residential School Survivors Society crisis lines: [phone] or [phone] (24/7)
• Toronto Rape Crisis Centre crisis line: [phone] (24/7)
• Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: [phone] (24/7)
• Trans Lifeline: [phone]
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 988 (24/7)
• Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre for current and former Canadian Armed Forces members: [phone]
• Read about your rights as a victim on the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime website.