A lawyer representing Sean “Diddy” Combs in the hip-hop mogul’s sex trafficking trial has sought to undercut the claim of the prosecution’s star witness that Combs raped her in 2018.
During a second day cross-examining Combs’ ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura in Manhattan federal court, a defence lawyer showed jurors text messages suggesting she may have had consensual sex with Combs a month after the alleged rape.
The 38-year-old Ventura, a rhythm and blues singer known as Cassie, previously told jurors that Combs coerced and blackmailed her into taking part in days-long, drug-fuelled sex parties he called “Freak Offs” which are central to the prosecution’s case.
She also said Combs physically and emotionally abused her throughout their tumultuous 11-year relationship and raped her in August 2018 after they had broken up.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to five felony counts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.
During her direct testimony earlier in the week, Ventura recounted more than a decade of what she said was Combs’ physical and emotional abuse.
On Wednesday, she recounted through tears how Combs allegedly raped her in her living room.
“I just remember crying and saying no but it was very fast,” she said, as her voice trailed off.
On Friday, defence lawyer Anna Estevao showed Ventura texts from September 2018 where she and Combs talk about potentially meeting up and hugging after having not seen each other in a while.
“You don’t say anything to the effect of, last time we saw each other you raped me?” Estevao asked.
“Right,” Ventura responded.
Estevao sought to show Ventura may have claimed Combs raped her after getting caught cheating by her then-boyfriend, whom she has since married.
The evidence phase of the trial began on Monday and is expected to last 8 to 10 weeks.
It has drawn intense media coverage because of Combs’ wealth and towering influence in the music industry.
Combs’ legal team wants to show the 12 jurors and six alternates that Ventura was violent with Combs herself, willingly took part in the Freak Offs and has financial motives against Combs.
On Thursday, Estevao sought to undermine the prosecution claim that Combs coerced Ventura into participating.
The lawyer showed jurors emails and texts where Ventura professed her love for Combs and told him she was eager for Freak Offs.
In another text, Combs said there was no pressure to participate.
Combs has been held since September in a Brooklyn jail when not in court.
If convicted on all counts, he could face a minimum 15 years in prison and life behind bars.
Part of the criminal case stems from Ventura’s November 2023 civil lawsuit against Combs.
She testified that he agreed after 24 hours to settle for $US20 million ($A31 million).
Asked on Wednesday why she decided to testify against Combs, Ventura said she could no longer bear the emotional burden of years of his abuse, and “came here to do the right thing”.
Jurors on Tuesday saw a video of Combs attacking Ventura in a Los Angeles-area hotel in 2016, as well as photos of injuries she said Combs inflicted upon her during his frequent flights of rage.
Combs apologised after the video was released by CNN last year.
Combs has also been known as Puff Daddy and P Diddy.
He founded Bad Boy Records, and is credited with helping turn artists like Mary J Blige, Faith Evans, Notorious B.I.G. and Usher into stars in the 1990s and 2000s.
The trial began on Monday and could last two months.
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