Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs: Huge celebrity dragged into Diddy trial
A huge singing sensation has been spoken about in the Manhattan dock, while a witness described a horrific alleged hammer attack by Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Entertainment
Don't miss out on the headlines from Entertainment. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The woman who was once the best friend of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ accuser Cassie Ventura has told a court she was “terrified” after the music star allegedly tried to use a hammer to smash down the front door of an apartment she was staying in.
Kerry Morgan has also testified that Combs choked her so hard he left finger marks on her neck and that she hasn’t spoken to Ms Ventura since the incident.
MORE:‘Freak off’: Diddy cops $50m insult in major blow
Singer Dawn Richard, who was in a band with Combs between 2009 and 2011 said she “frequently” saw Ms Ventura being beaten and alleged she was threatened by Combs in a manner which made her think “we could die” if she crossed the star.
But in a combative cross examination, Combs’ lawyers accused Ms Richard of embellishing her testimony and that she had “four recollections” of one alleged incidence of violence.
While another famous celebrity has been dragged into the trial with Usher’s name heard in the witness box.
Combs’ trial recommenced on Monday, US time. He is charged with transportation to engage in prostitution, sex trafficking and racketeering. He could face life in jail for just the racketeering charge. Combs has pleaded not guilty.
MORE: Jailed Diddy’s wild $98m move exposed
Also on Monday, US time, one of Combs’ personal assistants said the star liked Ms Ventura because she was young and “mouldable”. But he added that, despite her 11-year relationship with Combs, she wasn’t even his primary girlfriend.
David James was described by Ms Ventura as a “trusted assistant” of Combs.
“I’ve got her right where I want her, she’s young,” Mr James paraphrased Combs as saying on Ms Ventura.
“He said she was very mouldable,” he added.
Mr James testified that the late model and actress Kim Porter, the mother of three of his children, was Combs’ “main girlfriend”. She died in 2018, a decade into Combs’ and Ms Ventura’s relationship.
The assistant listed Ms Ventura alongside “Sarah” and Tara” as second rung relationships.
Combs’ threats: ‘We could die’
Ms Richard testified that while part of the band Dirty-Diddy Money, with Combs, she recorded music at Combs’ Los Angeles home. On one occasion she said she saw Combs assault Ms Ventura due to a disagreement over eggs. She also said Combs attempted to hit his partner with the frying pan the eggs had been cooking in.
The next day, she said, Combs invited her back to his house, told her no one was harmed in the incident and that “people go missing” if they talk.
The defence asked what her “understanding” was of “people go missing”.
“We could die – that was our understanding,” said Ms Richard.
But despite the alleged violence, Ms Richard remained with Combs’ band.
She alleged that Combs told her “Stay the f*** out of my relationship. You’re here to work you mother f***ers”.
“I made the decision it would be best for my safety (to not intervene) as (Cassie) wasn’t really ready to do anything.”
Combs’ lawyer slams testimony of singer
But Combs’ lawyer Nicole Westmoreland cast doubt on Ms Richard.
She said the singer had changed what she remembered about the 2009 kitchen incident several times. This included the frying pan hitting Ms Ventura, not hitting Ms Ventura, hitting a wall or Combs throwing the eggs.
“It’s been hard for you to keep the story the same in the egg incident,” said Ms Westmoreland.
“I told it to the best of my recollection,” said Ms Richard.
“To the best of your recollection you have four different recollections,” the lawyer replied.
Ms Westmoreland also said that the crucial alleged threat from Combs that “people go missing” was itself missing from Ms Richard’s earlier statements to prosecutors.
“That missing quote was missing three times,” the lawyer said.
Usher dragged into testimony
Ms Richard also mentioned an incident in a restaurant when she was in Combs’ band where he allegedly punched Ms Ventura in the stomach.
When questioned by the prosecution, Ms Richard said various members of Combs’ staff were also at the dinner.
But under cross examination from Combs’ lawyers, Ms Richard said superstar singer Usher was also at the dinner.
The defence questioned why Ms Richard would leave out such a prominent person from the list of guests at the dinner where she alleged an assault occurred. But Ms Richard said she was specifically asked what “staff” were at the dinner, not anyone else.
‘Moved on from these people and their problems’
Ms Ventura’s one-time best friend also took the stand in the Manhattan courtroom.
She told the court she did not want to testify.
“I have moved on from these people and their problems,” said Kerry Morgan, 39.
She met Ms Ventura, who was 15 at the time, when she was 16. The pair modelled together in New York.
They stayed friends until 2018 giving Ms Morgan a front-row seat to Combs’ and Ms Ventura’s relationship.
“Cassie was fun, hard working and very confident,” Ms Morgan said of her friend. But her relationship with Combs – including various alleged beatings she witnessed – changed Ms Ventura.
“She lost her confidence and her sparkle. It wasn’t the same Cassie”.
Beating so bad Cassie blacked out
Ms Morgan claimed she witnessed two vicious beatings of Ms Ventura – where the pair both hid over fears for their safety – and numerous incidents of “slapping” and “pushing”.
In Jamaica, Ms Morgan said Combs dragged Ms Ventura by her hair from a bedroom into an outdoor area where she hit her head so badly she blacked out.
Combs’ horror alleged hammer act
In 2016, Ms Morgan said Ms Ventura came back to her house with a black eye followed by Combs 30 minutes later.
“He was hitting the door with a hammer to try and open it.
“I was terrified but Cassie seemed numb. I was freaking out and I don’t think she cared if he had come in and killed her”
Ms Morgan said on numerous occasions she told her friend to leave Combs but Ms Ventura said her job, her car and home were all paid for by Combs.
“He controlled everything,” Ms Morgan said.
Ms Morgan also contacted a number of Combs’ staff members to intervene but little was done.
In 2018, Ms Morgan said she and Ms Ventura were listening to music in her Hollywood Hills home when Combs turned up unannounced and let himself in.
“(Cassie) locked herself in the bathroom,” she said.
“He wanted to know who Cassie was cheating on him with.
“He choked me and when I got away he boomeranged me with a wooden coathanger.
“I had finger marks on my neck and the hanger hit me behind my right ear. I had a concussion, dizziness and vomited a few times”.
She testified she left the apartment and told one of Combs’ staff members who had arrived with the star that “he’s going crazy, he’s lost it” to which the staff member just shrugged.
A few weeks later, said Ms Morgan, Combs offered her $US30,000 due to the alleged assault.
She then met Ms Ventura for pizza where, Ms Morgan said, she was told by her friend to sign a non-disclosure agreement to get the cash.
“She told me I was milking it and over exaggerating,” claimed Ms Morgan.
“We haven’t spoken since”.
Originally published as Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs: Huge celebrity dragged into Diddy trial
Liberal’s major call on party’s future
Liberal Senator Dave Sharma has made a major call on the party’s ideological future in light of their crushing federal defeat.
Read more
Where was former US president George W. Bush born?
The Chase Australia’s official Shark, Brydon Coverdale, has created a new daily quiz challenge. Test yourself.
Read more