As Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial approaches, each the protection and prosecution are getting ready for testimonies. Nonetheless, simply weeks forward of the extremely publicized trial, his former companion, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura revealed she is ready to testify on the trial with no anonymity.
In keeping with Individuals, a movement filed on April 4, the prosecution states that “Sufferer-1” is not going to be testifying anonymously throughout the trial. As beforehand reported, Combs is going through prices of intercourse trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to interact in prostitution. Sources inform Individuals that Ventura is “Sufferer-1” and he or she plans to testify along with her title. Moreover, Rolling Stone recognized “Sufferer-1” as Ventura in January 2025. The three remaining victims have requested to have their identities protected.
“She is ready to testify underneath her personal title,” the submitting states. “Sufferer-2, Sufferer-3, and Sufferer-4 have requested that their identities not be revealed to the press or the general public.”
Along with anonymity, prosecutors requested that Victims two, three, and 4 “be referred to at trial utilizing solely pseudonyms” throughout Diddy’s trial. Additionally they requested that the protection chorus from referring to figuring out traits.
“This case has already obtained an distinctive quantity of media protection, which can presumably solely improve as trial proceeds,” prosecutors admit. “Allowing these measures will forestall pointless public disclosure of the victims’ identities, and the harassment from the media and others, undue embarrassment, and different adversarial penalties that may virtually definitely comply with if these girls have been compelled to disclose their true names publicly at trial.”
You could recall that Ventura first made headlines in November 2023 when she filed a groundbreaking lawsuit in opposition to the disgraced music mogul. Within the lawsuit, she alleged sexual assault and abuse. The case was settled shortly after its submitting for an undisclosed quantity. Months later, in Might 2024, CNN launched surveillance footage from 2016 by which Combs was seen kicking, dragging, punching, and in any other case abusing Ventura whereas she was seemingly attempting to flee.
This information of Ventura testifying comes simply days after two new prices have been added to Combs’ indictment: intercourse trafficking by drive, fraud, or coercion, and transportation to interact in prostitution. In keeping with TMZ, these newly added prices to Diddy’s indictment stem from allegations spanning from 2021 to 2024, involving a person recognized as “Sufferer-2” in authorized paperwork. The outlet experiences that these added prices point out that prosecutors are constructing a case alleging a sample of prison conduct that extends over a protracted time period.
In response to those new prices, Diddy’s authorized crew has issued statements clarifying their place. They assert that these don’t characterize new accusers or beforehand unknown allegations. As a substitute, they preserve that the fees pertain to the identical people with whom he engaged in consensual relationships.
“These usually are not new allegations or new accusers. These are the identical people, former long-term girlfriends, who have been concerned in consensual relationships. This was their personal intercourse life, outlined by consent, not coercion,” the assertion reads.
With the addition of those new prices, Diddy now faces a complete of 5 prison counts. These embrace two counts of intercourse trafficking, two counts of transportation to interact in prostitution, and one rely of racketeering.
Combs’ trial is about to start Might 5.
