Sean Combs trial updates: Court adjourned until Tuesday after Kid Cudi testimony

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Last updated: Thursday, May 22, 2025 11:36PM GMT
Diddy trial recap: 2nd week of testimony concludes with Kid Cudi's shocking testimony

NEW YORK -- The second week of testimony in the sex trafficking trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs began on Monday.

Combs has been accused of sex trafficking by force, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy as part of a blockbuster federal indictment originally filed in September 2024. He later faced two additional superseding indictments. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.

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.

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

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May 20, 2025, 5:10 PM GMT

Combs former assistant further testifies about working for him

Combs' former assistant, David James, testified to some of Sean Combs dietary preferences, recalling a time in London where Combs "would not be happy" because the ketchup there was not the same as the brand he preferred.

"Ketchup was a big item he needed for his food," James told the court.

"Were you aware he put applesauce on cheeseburgers?" defense attorney Marc Agnifilo asked.

"I was not aware of that but I knew he liked applesauce," James replied.

Sean "Diddy" Combs, right, blows kisses to people in the audience during his sex trafficking and racketeering trial in Manhattan federal court, Monday, May 19, 2025, in New York.
Sean "Diddy" Combs, right, blows kisses to people in the audience during his sex trafficking and racketeering trial in Manhattan federal court, Monday, May 19, 2025, in New York.

James purchased these food items through Combs' company, James testified, but he affirmed on cross-examination that he would use cash to purchase items such as baby oil, personal lubricant and condoms.

James also told the court about what he said were the demanding hours and the sometimes questionable things he did during his employment with Combs. He testified by way of example that he allegedly once purchased an "eight-ball of cocaine" in Saint-Tropez for a Combs associate.

Seven-day workweeks were common, according to James' testimony.

"Something the security detail would tell us: 'You know what rhymes with tired?' And the answer is, 'fired,'" James testified. He told the court about one night when Combs allegedly admonished him for driving through a red light.

"I turned around and said 'I'm f------ tired, man. I'm exhausted,'" James told the court. He testified that Combs did not fire him for the remark.

James also testified about throngs of people in public who wanted to touch Combs or get his autograph.

"Did he tend to be gracious about these things?" Agnifilo asked.

"I don't think gracious is a word to describe Mr. Combs," James responded.

James was asked about Combs' personal chef, a woman named Jourdan Atkinson, who is expected to testify later this week.

James testified that he personally once "got upset, squeezed her wrists and told her to stay in your f------ lane," referring to Atkinson. James testified that the incident was reported and Combs called him into his room to talk about it.

"He asked me what happened, and I told him what happened. And he said, 'You can't be putting your hands on women.' I said, 'I know sir I f----- up.' He told me to write her a note and buy her a gift," James testified, adding. "I rolled up a blunt and gave her a blunt."

"Did she appreciate it?" Agnifilo asked.

"She did," James testified.

On re-direct examination, James testified about a time in Alpine, NJ, when, referring to a separate incident in which James said he physically confronted Atkinson, Combs asked James to file a police report saying Jourdan was the aggressor and hit James first.

"Did you file?" prosecutor Christy Slavik asked.

"I didn't want to make a false police report and lie to the police," James answered.

The defense asked James about a time when he and a security guard allegedly brought two prostitutes back to Combs' house when he was not there.

"Security did it all the time," James testified. "After we had intercourse, she asked me for $200 and I was surprised. I had no idea. I was against paying her." James told the court that the security guard said, "You better pay her because we don't want any problems at the house.'"

James testified that the woman wanted to shower, to which James said he responded, "If you want to take a shower give me my 200 back.'"

The response elicited laughter in the court. Defense attorney Agnifilo remarked, "You got your money back!"

James' testimony has concluded. Court then took a break.

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May 20, 2025, 3:23 PM GMT

Former assistant tells court he drove an armed Combs to allegedly confront Suge Knight at LA diner

According to former Sean Combs assistant David James' testimony, Combs dispatched James and a security guard named D-Roc to Mel's Diner in Los Angeles at three or four o'clock in the morning.

"We pulled into the parking lot and D-Roc looks over and says, 'That's m------------ Suge Knight,'" James testified, clarifying for the jury that the then-chairman of Death Row Records was a Combs rival.

James testified that D-Roc approached Knight and said, "It's me, D-Roc, Biggie's boy."

While waiting for their food, James testified that four black SUVs pulled into the parking lot and that he allegedly saw someone pass Knight a gun.

"D-Roc said, 'We got to f------ go.," James told the court.

James testified that when he returned to Combs' house, Combs and Cassie Ventura were outside arguing: "Cassie looked very distressed. She was telling him not to go" to the diner.

James told the court that Combs told him to get behind the wheel of a black Escalade and drive to the diner. "M------------ go," James testified Combs told him from the back seat of the vehicle. James further told the court that Combs had three handguns on his lap at the time.

"I was really struck by it. I realized for the first time being Mr. Combs' assistant that my life was in danger," James testified. A short time later, James gave his notice and left the company, he testified.

On cross-examination, defense attorney Marc Agnifilo challenged James' recollection of the event, which prosecutors have said supports their contention that Combs was the leader of a criminal enterprise.

"Did you leave D-Roc at the diner?" Agnifilo asked.

James smiled and laughed. "That's a crazy statement," he replied.

Asked why he did not object to returning to the diner with an allegedly gun-carrying Combs, James answered, "You have someone with three guns in close proximity, I didn't think I had the option."

"You were executing the mission," Agnifilo asserted.

James responded, "I was doing what I was told."

ByAaron Katersky ABCNews logo
May 20, 2025, 3:14 PM GMT

Former assistant testifies he stocked Combs' hotel rooms with 'freak off' supplies, procured drugs

As Sean Combs then-personal assistant, David James, testified that he was required to ensure Sean Combs' hotel rooms were stocked with 40 different skin care products, a Luis Vuitton bag that routinely contained $10,000 cash, and "probably 25 or 30 different pill bottles."

James testified that he procured drugs for Combs, sometimes prescription Percocet, which he told the court he sometimes filled under his own name.

David James testifies on the witness stand during Sean "Diddy" Combs sex trafficking and racketeering trial in Manhattan federal court, Monday, May 19, 2025, in New York.
David James testifies on the witness stand during Sean "Diddy" Combs sex trafficking and racketeering trial in Manhattan federal court, Monday, May 19, 2025, in New York.

"Did you give him or anyone else permission to fill prescriptions in your name?" prosecutor Christy Slavik asked, referring to Combs.

"I don't recall that," James answered.

James also testified that Combs allegedly took ecstasy pills marked with the face of former President Obama. Asked how often he saw Combs take drugs, James responded, "I would say every day."

Obtaining and distributing narcotics is among the alleged racketeering acts in the indictment against Combs.

In his testimony, James recalled taking ecstasy and dancing around one of Combs' parties. Later, James testified, Combs reviewed footage of the party, noticed James in the footage and allegedly told him, "I'm going to keep this footage in case I ever need it."

James also testified he stocked Combs' hotel rooms with baby oil, Astroglide lubricant, condoms and prophylactics that he paid for in cash provided by one of Combs' security guards.

James further testified that in 2008, Combs asked him to bring an iPod into a hotel room in Miami. Since James had set up the room he had a key and opened the door to let himself in, he told the court.

"I saw the Cassie on the bed. She had a white comforter up to her neck, her head to the side and she did not move when I entered," James testified. He also told the jury that he remembered a "gentleman" in the room he did not recognize.

"He was completely naked, about 5 feet, 8 inches" with a "very large endowment," James testified.

The man "scurried out as if he didn't want to be seen," James told the court.

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May 20, 2025, 1:43 PM GMT

Cassie Ventura's mother expected to take stand Tuesday, prosecution says

Tuesday's witnesses are expected to include an alleged escort known as "The Punisher," as well as Cassie Ventura's mother, prosecutors said.