Cassie, Jane, Cudi and freak-offs: How Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex
trafficking trial has played out
[June 26, 2025]
By MICHAEL R. SISAK and LARRY NEUMEISTER
NEW YORK (AP) — Jurors at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial were
barely seated on the trial’s first day when they were shown a video of
the hip-hop mogul viciously attacking his longtime girlfriend, the R&B
singer Cassie.
Over the next seven weeks, jurors heard from 34 witnesses. All were
called to the stand by prosecutors, but each was questioned by defense
lawyers as they tried to challenge the portrayal of Combs as an
out-of-control, violent boss who drove his employees and associates to
fear him as he demanded their help in carrying out vendettas, getting
drugs and fulfilling his sexual fantasies.
After cross-examinations that often lasted longer than the questions
posed by prosecutors, defense lawyers spent only a half hour more
presenting evidence once prosecutors finished their side of the case. A
relaxed and seemingly satisfied Combs himself confirmed he would not
testify.
Now, jurors are set to hear closing arguments Thursday and Friday in the
closing stages of a trial in which they have watched videos of
drug-fueled “freak-offs” and “hotel nights” where Cassie and another
ex-girlfriend, “Jane,” said Combs forced them to have sex with strangers
as he watched.
They also have heard testimony from Cassie and Jane, from personal
assistants who said they witnessed Combs’ violence and from other women
who also accused him of abuse. They saw text and social media messages
and travel records.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he could spend the rest
of his life in prison.
Here's how the trial has played out so far:
Cassie: ‘I'm not a rag doll’
Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, dated Combs from 2007 to
2018 after he signed her to his Bad Boy Records label.
Over four days, she told jurors Combs beat her and ordered her to have
“disgusting” sex with male sex workers during multi-day “freak-offs,”
his term for sexual marathons. She also said Combs raped her after she
said she was ending their relationship.
In 2016, security cameras captured Combs hitting, kicking and dragging
Cassie as she left his room at the Intercontinental Hotel in Los
Angeles. The video was shown at the trial’s start. A hotel guard
testified that Combs paid $100,000 to hide the video. It remained secret
until CNN aired it in May 2024.
After the assault, Cassie texted Combs: “I’m not a rag doll. I’m
somebody’s child.”
Cassie first detailed her allegations in a lawsuit against Combs in
2023. He settled the next day for $20 million.
Jane: ‘You beat the love out of us’
Jane, testifying under a pseudonym, dated Combs from 2021 until his
arrest last September.
The model said she repeatedly told Combs she didn’t want to have sex
with other men — pleading with him, “I’m not an animal. I need a break”
— but that he kept pressuring her. She said she felt “obligated” in part
because he paid her rent.
Jane said she tried to end the encounters, texting him in 2023: “Ever
since I opened Pandora’s box, I haven’t been able to close it.” He
responded: “Girl, stop.” Another time, she told him: "You beat the love
out of us.”
Last year, Jane said, Combs put her in a chokehold, punched her in the
face and forced her into an encounter with a sex worker. She said he
told her: “You’re not going to ruin my night like this.”
Both women said Combs threatened to release their sex videos if they
refused his demands.
Kid Cudi and others who say Combs wronged them
Rapper Kid Cudi testified that Combs broke into his home in late 2011
after learning he and Cassie were dating. His car was firebombed a few
weeks later. Cudi, whose legal name is Scott Mescudi, said he knew Combs
“had something to do” with it, but Combs told him he wasn't involved.
Ex-Combs employee Capricorn Clark said Combs came to her home waving a
gun the day of the break-in and demanded she get dressed and go with him
because “we’re going to kill Cudi.”
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Defense attorney Brian Steel, center, cross examines Kid Cudi, far
right, as Sean "Diddy" Combs, far left, looks on during Combs' sex
trafficking and racketeering trial in Manhattan federal court, May
22, 2025, in New York. (Elizabeth Williams via AP, File)
 A former personal assistant
testifying under the pseudonym “Mia” said Combs put his hand up her
dress and forcibly kissed her at his 40th birthday party in 2009,
forced her to perform oral sex on another occasion and raped her in
2010. His lawyers say the claims are false.
Cassie’s friend Bryana “Bana” Bongolan testified that Combs dangled
her over the railing of Cassie’s 17th floor balcony and threw her
onto patio furniture in September 2016, leaving her bruised and
traumatized.
Baby oil, lubricant and AR-15s
Six of Combs’ former personal assistants testified.
George Kaplan said he’d toss out liquor bottles and drugs and clean
up baby oil from Combs’ hotel rooms. He said he quit after seeing
Combs fighting with Cassie but didn't report it to authorities.
David James testified that Combs had him stock hotel rooms with baby
oil, condoms, Viagra and other supplies. James said he saw Combs
with three handguns on his lap as they drove to confront Combs’
record industry rival Suge Knight in 2008.
Brendan Paul said he bought drugs for Combs including cocaine,
ketamine, ecstasy and marijuana.
Federal agents testified that they found “freak-off” supplies during
raids last year on Combs’ Los Angeles and Miami-area homes and in
the New York City hotel room where he was arrested. They said they
also found AR-15 rifles, other guns and ammunition at Combs’ homes.
Playing defense with prosecution witnesses
Combs is charged with racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex
trafficking — one for Cassie, one for Jane — and two counts of
transportation to engage in prostitution.
His defense case lasted all of 30 minutes. Combs waived his right to
testify, as defendants often do, and his lawyers didn't call
witnesses of their own. Instead, they sought to undercut the
credibility of his accusers through cross-examination.
They seized on inconsistencies in witness accounts, highlighted
accusers' willingness to continue seeing him and warm messages they
exchanged with him after alleged abuse. They also accused women of
trying to cash in on “the #MeToo money grab against Sean Combs.”
Reluctant witnesses proved valuable to the defense
It wasn’t all bad for Combs. Jane acknowledged that despite
everything she endured she still loves Combs. Other prosecution
witnesses showered him with praise.
Kaplan said he still sends Combs birthday greetings and invited him
to his wedding. Kaplan told jurors he was grateful to work for Combs
and still has “a great deal of respect” for him.
Combs' lawyers confronted celebrity stylist Deonte Nash with
messages he sent expressing love for Combs. Some of them were from
2019 and 2020, two years after their professional relationship
ended.
Missing pieces: Gina, KK and D-Roc
Originally, prosecutors built their case around four main witnesses:
Cassie, Jane, Mia and Gina, a former Combs girlfriend who was
referred to in his charging documents as “Victim-3.”
But Gina, who dated Combs from 2014 to 2019, was quietly dropped
from the case and never testified. Still, she figured prominently in
the trial.
Cassie noted she was really upset when she found out Combs was
cheating with Gina. Kaplan said he once saw Combs hurling apples at
Gina.
Others from Combs’ orbit who were mentioned but not seen in court
included his former chief of staff, a bodyguard and other members of
his security staff.
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