After the first week of the prosecution’s star witness Cassie Ventura’s explosive testimony, there is much speculation of who will take the stand in the second week of the trial of the music mogul.
Before we explore some of the possibilities, how did Cassie the ex-girlfriend of Combs do? I thought she did very well and much of her testimony was electric, despite the defence trying to portray her as a willing participant in Diddy’s “freak offs.” She came across as a very credible witness displaying vulnerability and anger at the abuse and manipulation she endured.
After her testimony Cassie and her husband Alex Fine’s statements to awaiting journalists was moving and brilliantly delivered.
Her husband’s tribute to his wife brought tears to your eyes. He said “I did not save Cassie, as some have said. To say that is an insult to the years of painful work my wife has done to save herself. Cassie saved Cassie. She alone broke free from abuse, coercion, violence, and threats.”
I feel like that the prosecution need to do slightly better in terms of proving the charge of racketeering and conspiracy, but I am no legal expert, and they are probably building a strong narrative to prove Combs criminality.
Other alleged victims and witnesses that could be on the stand next week are:
DAWN RICHARD
Dawn is a former singer with the group Danity Kane and prosecutors said she will testify on Thursday. She claims that Sean Combes made sexually inappropriate advances and said degrading comments while she was working with him on MTV’s “Making the Band.”
She also claims that she saw Combs sexually assault Cassie Ventura in 2009.
SPECIAL AGENT YASIN BINDA
Yasin Binda was an investigator in the department of Homeland security’s human trafficking group.
She participated in the raid on Combs hotel room at Park Hyatt in Manhattan in September. He was arrested in the lobby, and she has been dealing with logistics as well as being familiar with the operational details of the federal investigation into Combs.
JANE
This is claimed to be a single mother who will be referred to as ‘Jane’ during the trial. She is anticipated to say that she was a one-time participant in a sex party run by Sean Combs. She alleges that Diddy threatened to blackmail her with footage of her sexual acts if she didn’t continue participating.
She also claimed that she was forced to ingest drugs including Ecstasy and endured physical abuse by Combs as well. Federal agents will allege that “Jane” was choked and picked up by her neck during these parties.
With the Judge saying that the trial could last 8-10 weeks, next week will be another piece of the puzzle that for the prosecution will paint a compelling picture of the crimes of Combs.
Whoever takes the stand on Monday, there are sure to be more fireworks and twists and turns as the prosecution and defence battle it out.