Cassie Ventura's cross examination ends as defense challenges credibility

  Updated 53m ago Richard was scared and didn't call police, she testifies

Richard said she was scared for Ventura, but did not call police. 

"I had never seen anything like that before," she testified. 

The next day, Combs invited Richard and others back into his recording studio and locked the door, she said. 

Richard testified Combs told them what happened with Ventura in the kitchen was something "passionate" and "what people in relationships do." 

He then gave them flowers, Richard said. 

The jury was dismissed for the day and will return to hear more testimony Monday morning. 

By Alice Gainer https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/live-updates/diddy-trial-live-updates-cassie-cross-examination/#post-update-77f133a4   Updated 4:59 PM Combs attacked Ventura in his kitchen, Dawn Richard says

Richard told prosecutors she saw Combs get violent with Ventura at his home in Los Angeles. She said she was at Combs' home to record in his studio when it happened. 

Richard said Ventura was cooking breakfast when Combs came downstairs asking "where the f***" are his eggs. 

Richard said Combs grabbed the skillet of eggs and tried to hit Ventura with it.

Ventura fell to the ground, but it didn't look like the skillet hit her, Richard said. It was like she was anticipating getting get, she said. 

Ventura went into the fetal position and did not respond with physical force, Richard said. 

"He started to punch her and kick her," she said. "Her body and her head."

By Alice Gainer https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/live-updates/diddy-trial-live-updates-cassie-cross-examination/#post-update-cc21f415   4:45 PM Dawn Richard testifying

Singer Dawn Richard was called by prosecutors after hearing from Ventura and the special agent. 

Richard described physical violence against Ventura she said she witnessed. 

By Alice Gainer https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/live-updates/diddy-trial-live-updates-cassie-cross-examination/#post-update-7650f7f0   4:31 PM Agent testifies drugs were found in search

The special agent told prosecutors drugs, including ketamine, ecstasy and medications were also found during the Park Hyatt search. 

The agent was asked about a picture of a backpack, which she said contained $9,000. 

Prosecutors had no further questions and the defense started cross-examination. 

By Alice Gainer https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/live-updates/diddy-trial-live-updates-cassie-cross-examination/#post-update-1a689af5   4:16 PM Special agent called to testify

Prosecutors called a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to the stand. She tells the court she conducts domestic and international investigations and is a crisis negotiator. 

She is shown photos of bags of Johnson's Baby Oil bottles and Astroglide that were taken during a search at the Park Hyatt. 

The agent says she was the photographer during the search. 

By Alice Gainer https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/live-updates/diddy-trial-live-updates-cassie-cross-examination/#post-update-070a19fb   Updated 3:50 PM Cassie Ventura's 4th day of testimony

Ventura returned to the witness stand Friday for a fourth day as Combs' defense team challenged her credibility and timeline of events.

The court heard a disturbing audio recording of Ventura confronting a man over an alleged explicit video, where she's heard making threats in a moment of emotional distress.

The defense also presented text messages between Ventura and Combs, including affectionate exchanges and messages from the time surrounding the alleged 2018 rape. They questioned inconsistencies in her timeline and highlighted continued contact between the two after the alleged incident.

By Alice Gainer https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/live-updates/diddy-trial-live-updates-cassie-cross-examination/#post-update-c53a3917   Updated 3:36 PM Ventura's testimony over

The prosecution asked Ventura if she has any pending lawsuits or financial stakes in the trial. She said no to both.

They then asked Ventura why she kept broken electronic devices. She said she didn't want to bring them into an Apple Store because she feared what might've been on them. 

The defense had another question for Ventura about an alleged settlement with InterContinental. Prosecutors objected and she was dismissed.

Court entered a break. 

By Alice Gainer https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/live-updates/diddy-trial-live-updates-cassie-cross-examination/#post-update-d7462a22   Updated 3:26 PM Defense questioning Ventura again

On recross, the defense asked Ventura if she knew "freak offs" were Combs' sexual preference.

"Yea," she said. 

They then asked if being Combs' girlfriend meant participating in them. 

"I don't know that it was a rule," she said.

By Alice Gainer https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/live-updates/diddy-trial-live-updates-cassie-cross-examination/#post-update-68e002ce   Updated 3:12 PM Ventura crying on the stand

Prosecutors asked Ventura about her settlement with Combs over the rape lawsuit, after the defense suggested she canceled a tour because of the money she received. 

"After filing my civil suit, I was overwhelmed and couldn't continue at that point," Ventura said. "I didn't want to be away from my kids at that time." 

Prosecutors asked if she would return the money if it meant she never had to experience "freak offs." 

Crying, Ventura said, "I wouldn't have had to work so hard to get [my autonomy] back." 

She added Combs "frequently" suggested having "freak offs" when she had a urinary tract infection and that he beat her more than once during them.

Ventura told prosecutors she felt like she couldn't refuse Combs' "freak off" requests. She told prosecutors she was open to trying "freak offs" in the beginning of the relationship, but her openness changed over time. 

She said she tried refusing more than once, but she had concerns. 

"I was worried for my safety, for my career. But I also was in love with him. So I worried he wouldn't want to be with my anymore," she said. 

Prosecutors ended their redirect examination, and the defense started its recross.

By Alice Gainer https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/live-updates/diddy-trial-live-updates-cassie-cross-examination/#post-update-f921f8d8   Updated 2:56 PM "Basically a sex worker"

Ventura said her music career changed after she started dating Combs. She said her music wasn't the same as when she started. 

"Hard because I had to give him all my attention," she said. 

Combs told Ventura to turn down opportunities and cancel obligations for freak offs, she testified. She said she couldn't do many of the things she wanted to because she had another job. 

"Basically a sex worker," she said. 

Ventura told prosecutors Combs continued making music, doing TV appearances and traveling during this time, and that he was on drugs. 

After going over some text messages, Ventura told prosecutors she was trying to remove herself from the relationship in August 2018. 

Prosecutors asked if she has any doubt Combs raped her. 

"No," she said.

Ventura told prosecutors she had consensual sex with Combs after she accused him of rape. The FaceTime call from her now-husband happened during consensual sex with Combs, she said. 

By Alice Gainer https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/live-updates/diddy-trial-live-updates-cassie-cross-examination/#post-update-71c3c434   Updated 2:42 PM "I had to do freak offs"

On redirect, Ventura told prosecutors there were times in her relationship with Combs when he was kind and loving, but they didn't last. 

Ventura said Combs' moods "affected my whole life, my career, how I felt about myself, my self worth." She said if Combs wanted a "freak off," then her work would take a backseat. 

"I had to do freak offs," she said. 

To prepare for a "freak off," Ventura said she got herself ready from head to toe, got the room ready, and arranged escorts. 

She said Combs brought her into a world she didn't know or understand at the time. 

By Alice Gainer https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/live-updates/diddy-trial-live-updates-cassie-cross-examination/#post-update-04598df9   Updated 2:31 PM Ventura canceled tour after settlement with Combs

Ventura told the defense she was preparing for a music tour after moving to Connecticut in 2023. She was scheduled to go to Australia and New Zealand, but canceled once she settled her lawsuit against Combs.

The defense stated she was going to get $20 million in the settlement and canceled because she no longer needed money. 

"That wasn't the reason why," Ventura said. 

By Alice Gainer https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/live-updates/diddy-trial-live-updates-cassie-cross-examination/#post-update-3134d2bd   Updated 2:19 PM "We're honestly lucky to be alive"

Another message the defense said was from Ventura told Combs she doesn't hate him and that she wouldn't be at this point in her life if it wasn't for him. 

"We're honestly lucky to be alive," Combs had texted, adding he also wanted closure and to talk. "You deserve the world. I'm glad you found someone. I send this with respect for your marriage." 

Ventura told the defense they didn't end up meeting. When asked what Combs meant by "lucky to be alive," she said "we did a lot of drugs." 

Ventura then testified about struggling with addiction, going through treatment and moving with her husband, a physical trainer, to her parents' house in Connecticut. 

She said the move was not for financial reasons. 

By Alice Gainer https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/live-updates/diddy-trial-live-updates-cassie-cross-examination/#post-update-7859a173   Updated 2:04 PM "Had a dream about you last night"

The defense showed the jury text messages between Ventura and Combs after she was married. 

"Sending you love and light. Had a dream about you last night. What a difference a year makes," Combs wrote. 

"Have a blessed day," Ventura responded. 

Ventura told the defense she was pregnant at the time. 

In another text, Combs said, "I miss my best fried." 

Ventura responded, "Miss you too and thank you," adding she hoped he's taking care of himself and his family is well. 

Combs' texted Ventura that her response means a lot, and his kids and mom are both OK. 

The defense asked Ventura if it's true, throughout her relationship with Combs, that they were friends and she didn't always consider themselves romantic partners. 

"Correct," Ventura said. 

By Alice Gainer https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/live-updates/diddy-trial-live-updates-cassie-cross-examination/#post-update-7fb29e61   Updated 1:49 PM Disturbance outside court

The parties were discussing a man throwing eggs at photographers outside the courthouse. 

The judge and attorneys for both sides were going over the issue. 

By Alice Gainer https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/live-updates/diddy-trial-live-updates-cassie-cross-examination/#post-update-201ae545   Updated 1:34 PM Kim Porter memorial

Ventura said she continued communicating with Combs after having sex with him in September 2018. 

She said the last time she saw Combs was at a memorial for Kim Porter, who died unexpectedly in November 2018, that he hosted in Georgia. 

The defense showed another text exchange between Combs and Ventura about her leaving the service. She told Combs she had to get to her grandma and that she was hurt when he posted Porter was his soulmate. 

Ventura said she didn't see Combs again after that, but that he has tried to get in touch in various ways since she got married. She wasn't sure if Combs had let her go. 

Court then broke for lunch.

By Alice Gainer https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/live-updates/diddy-trial-live-updates-cassie-c