
Defense tells judge Cassie may have to return next week; judge disagrees
Combs' lawyers said they don't expect to be done questioning Cassie until the end of the day on Friday. If that happens, it's possible she'll need to come back to court on Monday so prosecutors can ask her more questions during a phase of testimony known as re-direct.
Subramanian noted that the sides had previously agreed that she would be done by week's end, since she's pregnant and due to give birth soon to her third child.
The defense's revised timing "is the exact opposite of what I was told," the judge said.
"That is why there is a sword that I must fall on," Combs' lawyer Marc Agnifilo responded. He suggested that prosecutors muddled the timing by calling two witnesses before bringing Cassie to the stand.
Before the jury returned from lunch, Judge Subramanian made clear he expected the defense to finish its cross-examination by the middle of the day Friday.
"You have a day and a half. We should be done by the lunch break Friday," the judge said.
He noted that Ventura is "not the kind of witness that is fighting" the defense questions and suggested the defense "streamline" its cross-examination.
The cross-examination so far has come in fits and starts with defense attorney Anna Estevao unable to establish a consistent rhythm. She has sometimes failed to properly introduce exhibits and prosecutors have objected to several of her questions.
How it lands is up to a jury that skews male and skews older. The defense strategy so far is to show examples that appear to show Ventura's willingness, eagerness and agency as they seek to underpin Combs' assertion that he did not commit sex trafficking.
The Associated Press and ABC News contributed to this information.







