Crime & justice

Combs Trial: New Witnesses Allege Pattern of Violence

Published MAY 20 2025

Story

Above: Polish former model Kaja Sokola arrives at Manhattan Federal Court for Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City on May 16, 2025. Image credit: Timothy A. Clary/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

The Facts

Dawn Richard, a former member of the Sean "Diddy" Combs-created music group Danity Kane, testified Monday that she witnessed Combs physically abuse his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura multiple times from 2009-2011.
USA Today
Daily Mail
Kerry Morgan, Cassie's former best friend of 17 years, testified that Combs assaulted her in 2018, leading to a concussion and a $30,000 confidential settlement. Another former Danity Kane member, Aubrey O'Day, didn't testify but said she's "been speaking the truth about Diddy for 20 years now."
guardian
Foxnews
Newsnationnow
David James, Combs' former personal assistant, testified that during his job interview, he was told "This is Mr. Combs' kingdom, we're all here to serve in it," and later described Combs calling Cassie "young" and "moldable."
ap
New York Post
USA Today
Richard also testified that Combs threatened her after witnessing violence against Cassie, claiming he said, where he comes from, "people go missing if they say things like that," which she interpreted as a death threat.
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Daily Mail
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Morgan further testified that Combs controlled every aspect of Cassie's life, including "her job, her car, [and] apartment," making it impossible for her to leave the relationship despite Morgan's encouragement.
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Daily Mail
E! Online
This comes after federal agents discovered bags of pink substances that tested positive for the drugs ketamine and MDMA during Combs' arrest at the Park Hyatt Hotel in September 2024. He's alleged to have used these items during sex parties, which James claimed to have helped him set up.
USA Today
New York Post

Sources Split

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CENTER

RIGHT

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The Spin

Narrative A

Sean Combs' trial reveals a clear pattern of abuse, from violent assaults on Cassie to coerced parties involving drugs and degradation. Prosecutors have detailed a horrific, decades-long trail of crimes — kidnapping, arson, sex trafficking — enabled by his wealth and control over employees and partners. Even his defense admits to domestic violence, showing his disregard for women. At worst, he orchestrated a trafficking empire, exploiting vulnerable victims.

The Washington Post

Daily Wire

Narrative B

While exposing P Diddy's personal crimes is great, the Southern District of New York prosecutors, the same office that allowed Jeffrey Epstein to die and gave Ghislaine Maxwell a slap on the wrist, are intentionally framing this case only around him. Combs' sex parties were part of a much larger blackmail ring that included politicians, music producers, and other celebrities, all of whom are friends with the government now in charge of the case.