Sean Combs sex trafficking trial updates: Cassie's testimony ends after days of describing abuse

The hip-hop mogul is charged with sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.

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Last updated: Friday, May 16, 2025 11:26PM GMT
DIDDY ON TRIAL: First week of witness testimony recap

NEW YORK -- After four days on the witness stand, Cassie Ventura concluded her testimony Friday at the trial of her ex-boyfriend, Sean "Diddy" Combs.

It came shortly after the defense concluded nearly two days of cross-examination.

Prosecutors allege Combs, 55, used his fame and fortune to orchestrate an empire of exploitation, coercing women into abusive sex parties.

If Combs is convicted on all charges, which include racketeering, kidnapping, arson, bribery and sex trafficking, he would face a mandatory 15 years in prison and could remain behind bars for life.

This story may contain accounts and descriptions of actual or alleged events that some readers may find disturbing.

"Bad Rap: The Case Against Diddy," a new podcast from "20/20" and ABC Audio, traces how the whispers of abuse came to light and led to the downfall of Sean "Diddy" Combs, who was once among the most influential entertainers and entrepreneurs in hip hop. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and more.

Kemberly Richardson reports from Lower Manhattan.

(ABC News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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May 13, 2025, 2:41 PM GMT

Daniel Phillip's testimony Tuesday morning

Combs' trial resumed Tuesday with the hip-hop mogul's lawyer questioning Daniel Phillip, a male stripper who says he was paid to have sex with Cassie while Combs watched.

Defense lawyer Xavier Donaldson pointed to Phillip's past statements to federal prosecutors as he attempted to show inconsistencies in his recollection of events. Donaldson finished his cross-examination after suggesting Phillip had developed a crush on Cassie and wanted to isolate her from Combs so he could be with her romantically. Phillip denied that but admitted: "I was attracted to her. If she ever gave me the chance to date her, I absolutely would have."

Once Donaldson was finished, a prosecutor asked Phillip more questions, underscoring the witness' earlier testimony that it was Combs who directed his sexual activity with Cassie.

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May 13, 2025, 2:45 PM GMT

Sean Combs enters court as 2nd day of trial commences

Sean Combs entered court Tuesday wearing the same, or similar, white collared shirt, light-colored pullover and khaki pants. He waved to his family in the second row.

A federal prosecutor prepared the court for what's to come when Cassie Ventura is expected to take the witness stand later today.

"There are videos," the prosecutor, Emily Johnson, said.

Quincy Combs, second from left, and Chance Combs center, arrive at Manhattan federal court, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in New York.
Quincy Combs, second from left, and Chance Combs center, arrive at Manhattan federal court, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in New York.

Johnson promised jurors in her opening statement Monday that they would "see videos of some of the freak-offs, the videos the defendant used to blackmail Cassie and to blackmail 'Jane,'" the latter referring to an anonymous alleged second victim.

On those videos, Johnson told jurors they would hear Combs providing direction to Cassie and "Jane," and the women complying.

Daniel Phillip, an escort who testified Monday that he was paid as much as $6,000 each time he had sex with Ventura while Combs sat in the corner masturbating, returned to the witness stand Tuesday to resume cross-examination.

On cross-examination, Monday defense attorney Xavier Donaldson sought to downplay Combs' role in the first alleged sexual encounter at the Gramercy Park Hotel.

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May 13, 2025, 2:31 PM GMT

R&B singer Cassie set to testify

The R&B singer Cassie is poised to testify in Sean "Diddy" Combs sex trafficking trial on Tuesday. Combs is accused of forcing women including Cassie into drugged-up sex parties he described as "freak-offs."

FILE - Cassie Ventura, left and Sean Combs appear at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala on May 4, 2015, in New York.
FILE - Cassie Ventura, left and Sean Combs appear at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala on May 4, 2015, in New York.

Prosecutors say he used his status as a powerful executive to coerce women into abusive sexual encounters. Lawyers for three-time Grammy winner told the jury that while Combs could be violent, he never veered into sex trafficking or racketeering.

Cassie has been at the center of Combs' stunning downfall. She sued him in 2023 alleging years of abuse. A surveillance video made public last year showed Combs beating her at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016.

Alex Fine, husband of Cassie Ventura, arrives at Manhattan federal court, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in New York.
Alex Fine, husband of Cassie Ventura, arrives at Manhattan federal court, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in New York.
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May 13, 2025, 1:53 PM GMT

Jurors warned not to speak to anyone and are sent home

The trial finished for the day, as scheduled, promptly at 5 p.m. The jury was warned not to speak to anyone about the case and was sent home.

Court ended for the day on the cross-examination of Daniel Phillip by defense attorney Xavier Donaldson.

Donaldson said he has about an hour of cross-examination remaining.

The trial is to resume at 9:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday, with Phillip set to return to the stand.

Cassie Ventura is expected to be the next witness called later Tuesday morning.

ABC News contributed to this report.

Eyewitness News has team coverage, recapping the first day of witness testimony, and opening statements in the Sean "Diddy" Combs sex trafficking trial.