Sean "Diddy" Combs trial live updates: Cassie faces cross examination
Cross-examination resumed after a short break.
The defense showed some explicit messages from 2009 Ventura sent to Combs, including one sent ahead of a "freak off."
In one message, Ventura wrote to Combs that she deleted a video from her phone that she called dope. She was asked if that was a video was from a "freak off," and Ventura replied that she didn't know.
Ventura was asked if she typically deleted videos she made with Combs. Sexual ones, Ventura replied.
The defense displayed messages showing the two of them coordinating a "freak off."
In the below exchange, Jules refers to a person who participated in "freak offs."
Combs: "Friday it is. I wish we could get Jules here."
Ventura: "LOL maybe we could we don't know him that well though."
Combs: "Wanna call him and feel him out?"
Ventura: "Yeah, I can do that."
Ventura was asked to confirm if she wrote to Combs that Combs made her a better woman, daughter, sister and so on.
Yes, Ventura said.
That she couldn't wait until they had a baby of their for Father's Day, that she loved Combs will all her heart?
Yes, Ventura replied.
Ventura confirmed she felt the relationship was special because not a lot of people got that time with Combs, and that she really fell in love with him, and was like a shadow for a little while.
Ventura testified her relationship with Combs was much different than any relationship she'd had before, and that it was passionate.
Ventura agreed it was fair to say Combs trusted her with his secrets, and that she earned his trust.
"You told him you wanted to do freak offs?" the defense asked.
"No, there's a lot more to that," Ventura replied.
Ventura was asked what she meant when she said he was a larger-than-life personality.
"He's a charismatic, big personality that everyone really loved," Ventura said.
What made Ventura fall in love with him, the defense asked.
Ventura said the beginning happened very fast, but the more time she spent with him and got to know him, what she thought was his real personality came out, and she liked who he was.
Ventura called him "sweet, attentive."
You stated when you really care about someone and you're in love you don't want to disappoint them, the defense asked, along with whether that's how she felt about Combs at the time.
Yes, Ventura replied.
The defense showed additional texts between Combs and Ventura.
"I love you so much it makes me cry," one read.
"I'm so happy we fell in love," read another.
I don't need your money, I need some attention Ventura wrote in an email to Combs. I'm thankful but I can pay for these things myself.
Ventura was asked if it was important to her to get more special time with Combs. Yes, she replied.
Ventura is wearing a light-colored blouse and a blazer on the stand, with her hair pulled back into a ponytail.
Estevao asked Ventura if she knew she was special to Combs, which is why it hurt so much when Combs lied to her and cheated on her. Ventura said yes.
"You kept coming back to him for 11 years," Geragos said. "You put up with all that because you thought he truly loved you too."
Not every time, Ventura said.
Some text messages between them were displayed. One from Combs to Ventura said he was happy she'd fly to Atlanta just to see him, that he was a lucky man and he missed her and loved her.
I'm a very lucky woman, she replied. I miss you so much. I'll fly for you whenever you need.
Thursday's court proceedings got started with cross-examination of Cassie Ventura.
Defense attorney Anna Maria Estevao began her questioning of Ventura by asking if she had been in love with Combs for 11 years and whether she took care of him. Ventura replied yes to both questions.
Ventura agreed that Combs was larger-than-life to her, and said she knew the real Combs, the version he wouldn't let the rest of the world see.
Dozens of people have filed civil lawsuits against Combs, but most of those allegations are not part of his federal criminal trial.
While Ventura has been publicly identified in the case, three other women are also expected to testify. Their names are not being released to the public, and they will testify using pseudonyms.
The indictment refers to them as Victim-1, Victim-2, and Victim-3. They are expected to be called to the stand as the trial progresses.
Sean "Diddy" Combs faces several federal charges.
He was initially indicted on racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges last September. Additional charges were later announced, including sex trafficking allegations from as recently as 2024.
Prosecutors say Combs led a criminal organization involving sex trafficking and traveling across state lines to engage in prostitution, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice.
The superseding indictment said he used force, threats and coercion to cause his alleged victims to engage in commercial sex acts. It also said he subjected the victims to violence, threats of violence, threats of financial or reputational damage and verbal abuse.
The indictment specified at least three female victims.
Combs has pleaded not guilty.
If convicted, he could be sent to prison for decades.
The trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs is taking place in federal court, so there's no broadcast of the proceedings allowed.
Sketch artists are allowed in the court, however.
CBS News New York's Alice Gainer has been at court since the start of the trial and will be providing updates to this live blog all day.
Casandra Ventura, who performs under the name Cassie, rose to fame with the single "Me & U" on her self-titled debut album. The song landed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart in 2006.
In her testimony, she said she signed with Bad Boy Records when she was 19, and Combs first kissed her on her 21st birthday. She and Combs dated off-and-on for more than 10 years, from about 2007 to 2018.
Ventura is now married and pregnant with her third child.
Three witnesses have testified in the case so far.
Israel Florez was the first on the stand.
Florez worked as the security manager at the hotel where Combs was caught on video attacking Ventura in 2016. He testified Combs offered him a stack of cash as a bribe and asked him not to tell anyone about the incident. Florez said he rejected the bribe.
Daniel Phillip told jurors he was paid to have sex with Ventura while Combs watched. He also testified he was present when Combs threw a bottle at Ventura and dragged her by her hair into another room, where he described what sounded to him like Combs hitting Ventura.
Ventura has testified about her relationship with Combs. She alleged that Combs suggested she have sex with other men while he watched, and that he provided drugs for "freak offs." She accused Combs of repeatedly beating her, and testified that arranging the "freak offs" became her job.
She went on to accuse Combs of raping her in 2018.
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