Diddy trial latest: Dawn Richard testifies after Cassie Ventura cross-examined
Former Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard returned to continue her testimony in the New York trial
Related: Celebrities mentioned during Diddy's trial
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Dawn Richard testified in the Sean âDiddyâ Combs sex trafficking trial today, following dramatic testimony last week from his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
Richard told the jury that Combs once said he âownedâ Ventura, and that she could âseeâ that Ventura was afraid of him. Last week, Richard told the jury that she saw Combs physically and emotionally abuse Ventura for years.
Richard separately sued Combs last year, accusing him of sexual assault, forced labor, and forced imprisonment.
During her four days on the witness stand last week, Ventura testified she was made to have âfreak offsâ involving her having sex with other men as directed by Combs, often while using drugs.
Venture told prosecutor Emily Johnson sheâd return the $20 million settlement from her 2023 civil lawsuit against Combs if she ânever had to have freak offs.â She was also cross-examined over explicit texts and emails that she shared with Combs.
Combs is facing sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy charges. The hip-hop mogul was arrested in September 2024 as federal authorities alleged he threatened, abused, and coerced victims âto fulfil his sexual desiresâ between 2004 and 2024. Combs has denied any accusations of wrongdoing.
'I worried for my safety': four days of explosive evidence from Cassie Ventura Trial to resume with more witness testimony Key moments from week one of the trial Cassie's ex-friend takes the standKerry Morgan, Cassie Venturaâs ex-best friend, has taken the stand.
Morgan was friends with Ventura from 2001 to 2018. Morgan told the court that Combs assaulted her in 2018, which led her to stop talking to Ventura.
âHer boyfriend assaulted me,â Morgan said, later clarifying she meant Combs.
Morgan added that she didnât want to be testifying today: âI have moved on with my life away from all these people and the problems.â
Katie Hawkinson19 May 2025 16:58
Courtroom sketch: Dawn Richard testifies A courtroom sketch shows witness Dawn Richard testifying Monday morning as Sean "Diddy" Combs takes notes from the defense table (REUTERS )Katie Hawkinson19 May 2025 16:50
Dawn Richard ends her testimonyDawn Richard has ended her testimony after a brief re-direct examination and a re-cross examination.
The court is on a short break, after which the prosecution will call their next witness.
Katie Hawkinson19 May 2025 16:45
Dawn Richard said she tried to 'erase' memories of CombsDawn Richard told prosecutors she tried to âeraseâ her memories of working with Sean âDiddyâ Combs.
"No, it was a hard time, a bad time for me," Richard said, according to NBC News.
âThe environment was traumatizing, so I tried to erase those things from my memory,â she added.
Katie Hawkinson19 May 2025 16:42
Prosecution seeks to clarify Dawn Richard's statements on the skillet incidentProsecutor Mitzi Steiner is now doing a redirect examination, meaning she has another opportunity to question Dawn Richard after the defense ended their cross-examination.
Steiner had Richard confirm that her first meeting with prosecutors came more than 10 years after the alleged 2009 skillet incident.
This comes after the defense tried to poke holes in Richardâs testimony, noting she didnât tell prosecutors last year that Combs threatened her after the incident, despite testifying this week that he did.
Richard said she tried to forget the alleged instances of abuse, but that sheâs now remembering more and more.
âThe environment was volatile and it was very hard to work in, so I tried to erase those things,â Richard testified, according to CNN.
âEvery day it gets easier to remember certain things. I try my best to do it to the best of my ability,â she said.
Katie Hawkinson19 May 2025 16:30
Cross-examination endsThe defense has ended their cross-examination of Cassie Ventura.
Katie Hawkinson19 May 2025 16:17
Diddy said he 'owned' Cassie Ventura, Dawn Richard testifiesDawn Richard testified that Sean âDiddyâ Combs once told her he âownedâ his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
Richard says Combs told her to âstay the f*** outâ of his relationship with Ventura or âsomething bad will happen to you.â
Richard said she could âseeâ that Ventura feared Combs.
"It was always wait, wait, wait for her," Richard testified, according to CBS News. "I told her she should leave...Cas looked torn...like, she would listen, but I could see the fear."
Katie Hawkinson19 May 2025 16:07
Defense questions Dawn Richard's claim that Diddy threatened herDefense attorney Nicole Westmoreland is questioning Dawn Richardâs claims that Sean âDiddyâ Combs threatened her, saying that âpeople go missing.â
Richard said Combs brought her and fellow artist Kaleena Harper into his studio after the alleged 2009 skillet incident. Combs locked the door and told them not to say anything about the incident, warning that âwhere he comes from, people go missing,â Richard testified.
But Westmoreland pointed to Richardâs 2024 interviews with prosecutors, in which she didnât bring up Combsâs alleged threat.
"You didn't tell prosecutors that Sean Combs said, 'people go missing,'" Westmoreland said.
"I didn't remember it," Richard responded, adding that she remembers "everything I am telling you now."
Katie Hawkinson19 May 2025 15:51
Defense questions Dawn Richard's claim that Diddy attacked Cassie with a skilletThe defense team is questioning Dawn Richardâs previous accounts of a time Sean âDiddyâ Combs allegedly attacked Cassie Ventura with a skillet.
Last week, Richard said Combs tried to hit Ventura with the skillet, but that she ducked and landed in the fetal position.
In a 2024 document related to her lawsuit, Richard said she "heard a pan hit the wall" but didnât witness Combs throwing it.
Then, in a separate 2024 interview with investigators, Richard said Combs threw eggs â but not the skillet â at Ventura.
Richard told Combsâs attorneys that she testified about the incident to the best of her ability.
Katie Hawkinson19 May 2025 15:34
Dawn Richard discusses Diddy lawsuit, reveals Cassie inspired her to 'take a stand'Before cross-examination began, Dawn Richard testified about her 2024 lawsuit against Sean âDiddyâ Combs.
Richard told the jury Cassie Venturaâs 2023 lawsuit against him gave her the courage to âfinally take a stand and tell the truth.â
The judge then sustained the defenseâs objection to this statement.
The lawsuit is still pending. The defense later asked Richard if she knew of any pending motions to dismiss the lawsuit. Richard said she did not.
Katie Hawkinson19 May 2025 15:27
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