Day 2 of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Trial: Cassie Testifies About Violent 2016 Hotel Incident

 Day 2 of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Trial: Cassie Testifies About Violent 2016 Hotel Incident

By Naomi Johnson Legal Correspondent Noneillah Entertainment| May 14, 2025

New York, NY — The second day of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal trial was marked by harrowing testimony from singer Cassie Ventura, who recounted in detail a 2016 assault by Combs at a Los Angeles hotel. The incident, captured on hotel surveillance footage, has become a pivotal piece of evidence in the prosecution's sweeping case against the hip-hop mogul, who faces charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and violent assault.

Ventura, 38 and visibly pregnant, returned to the witness stand to continue her testimony about a decade-long relationship characterized by physical violence, sexual coercion, and emotional abuse. The government alleges Combs used his vast music and media empire to create a “criminal enterprise” that exploited and harmed women under his control.

A Night of Violence Before a Red Carpet Event

Describing the events leading to the 2016 attack, Ventura testified that she was preparing for her “first big movie premiere” when Combs contacted her, suggesting a “freak-off”—his term for multi-day, drug-fueled sex marathons involving prostitutes. Despite her reluctance, Ventura said she attempted to appease Combs, fearing his anger could derail her career moment.

“If I pleased him with a freak-off, then my premiere would run smoothly,” Ventura told jurors, explaining the psychological grip Combs maintained over her. That night, however, Combs’ temper exploded into violence, leaving Ventura with a black eye and swollen lip.

Photos from the premiere and after-party were entered into evidence, showing Ventura alongside Combs. Under oath, she pointed out visible bruising on her shoulder and legs, concealed under heavy makeup.

Graphic Surveillance Footage Shown in Court

Prosecutors played the now-infamous hotel surveillance footage obtained by CNN, showing Combs in a towel approaching Ventura near the elevator. The video depicts Combs striking, kicking, and dragging Ventura back towards their room. Though the footage is silent and frame-skipped, the violence is unmistakable.

Ventura testified that she called hotel security from her phone during the assault, but Combs refused to let her leave. She described grabbing her belongings and fleeing once Combs became distracted. Former hotel security guard Israel Florez, now an LAPD officer, corroborated her account. He told the court he found Ventura with a “purple eye” and witnessed Combs trying to prevent her from exiting.

Florez testified that Combs attempted to bribe him with a large stack of cash. “I declined,” Florez stated firmly, adding that Ventura refused to call police out of apparent fear.

The “Freak-Offs”: A Pattern of Exploitation

Ventura’s testimony painted a grim picture of life under Combs’ control. She described the “freak-offs” as an obligation, consuming her time and eroding her autonomy. Despite recording hundreds of songs under Combs’ Bad Boy Records label, she released only a single mixtape in 2013. “The freak-offs became a job where there was no space to do anything else but to recover and try to feel normal again,” she testified.

Prosecutors argue these freak-offs were not consensual encounters but organized acts of coercion and exploitation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson emphasized this distinction in her opening statement: “This case is not about a celebrity’s private sexual preferences. It’s about coercive crimes.”

Defense Admits to Violence, Denies Criminal Enterprise

Combs’ defense attorney, Teny Geragos, did not shy away from acknowledging his violent behavior. “He’s a jerk. He has a bad temper and issues with drug use,” Geragos admitted, describing Combs’ relationships as “toxic.” However, she argued that none of the behavior described by Ventura rises to the level of federal racketeering or sex trafficking charges. Geragos dismissed the multiple civil lawsuits against Combs as opportunistic “money grabs.”

Other Witnesses and Allegations

The jury also heard from Daniel Phillip, who alleged that between 2012 and 2014, Ventura paid him to engage in sexual acts while Combs watched. Phillip testified to witnessing Combs assault Ventura on multiple occasions but admitted he was too afraid to intervene.

Prosecutors allege that Combs also abused and trafficked other women, including a former girlfriend referred to as “Jane,” who is expected to testify later. Johnson recounted incidents where Combs allegedly kicked down doors, forced women into freak-offs, and used financial leverage to control their lives.

A Pattern of Abuse Under Scrutiny

Since November 2023, Combs has faced accusations of sexual misconduct from at least five individuals. The federal case centers not only on Ventura’s allegations but on a broader pattern of predatory behavior.

While Combs has pleaded not guilty, the prosecution is methodically building a case that portrays the music mogul as a manipulative figure who used fame, money, and fear to control and exploit women.

What’s Next?

The trial is expected to last several weeks. Ventura’s cross-examination by the defense is set to begin later this week, as prosecutors continue to call witnesses to corroborate their case.

For Combs, once a towering figure in hip-hop, the courtroom has become a stage of reckoning. For Ventura and others, this trial represents an opportunity to bring long-buried abuses to light.

Naomi Johnson is a legal affairs correspondent covering high-profile trials and criminal justice for Noneillah Entertainment.