Trial of Sean Combs Continues with Testimony from Dawn Richard

The second week of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial regarding allegations of assault and sex trafficking kicked off Monday morning, featuring Dawn Richard returning to the witness stand.

Combs, 55, is facing multiple charges, including sex trafficking, conspiracy to commit assault, and transporting individuals for prostitution. He was taken into custody in September 2024 and has pleaded not guilty to all accusations.

Dawn Richard, who once performed with the pop group Danity Kane, resumed her testimony after starting on Friday afternoon. She described witnessing Combs physically abuse his former girlfriend, singer Cassandra “Cathy” Ventura.

Richard recounted a troubling incident from 2009 at Combs’ home in Los Angeles, claiming she saw him try to attack Ventura with a frying pan before he physically assaulted her.

During her testimony, Richard mentioned that Combs threatened her and another observer, instructing them to remain silent about what they had witnessed, saying, “If they talk, if they say such things, people will be missing.”

On Monday, Richard noted that she observed Combs being violent with Ventura “frequently,” mentioning that she had seen visible injuries on her. “He would punch her, suffocate her, and slap her in the mouth,” Richard stated. “I saw him kick her and punch her stomach.”

She speculated that perhaps Combs’ aggression was related to Ventura speaking up for herself, yet it seemed unpredictable at times.

Richard also called attention to the fact that members of Combs’ staff, including his bodyguard, witnessed some of the violence against Ventura but did not intervene.

During cross-examination, Combs’ defense team sought to challenge Richard’s reliability, pointing out inconsistencies in her account of the 2009 episode.

Richard concluded her testimony at around 11:45 AM ET, informing the court that a civil lawsuit against Combs is still pending.

Following Richard, Kelly Morgan, a long-time friend of Ventura, took the stand.

The federal trial began last week in Manhattan, with prosecutors alleging that Combs is involved in running a criminal operation that includes drug-fueled sex parties known as “freak-offs,” where he employs sex workers.

The government contends that Combs uses violence, threats, and drugs to force women, including Ventura, into participating in these “freak-offs.”

In their opening statement, Combs’ attorneys asserted that any sexual encounters were consensual and claimed they were part of a “Swingers Lifestyle.” They acknowledged Combs’ history of domestic violence and drug use but argued this did not equate to involvement in a criminal sex trafficking enterprise.

Last week, much of the attention was on Ventura, Combs’ ex-girlfriend and key witness for the prosecution. Ventura testified for four days, detailing years of physical and emotional abuse from Combs. She claimed he coerced and threatened her to join in drug-fueled sex parties and accused him of raping her in 2018 after their breakup.

For an entire week, prosecutors depicted Combs as an oppressive figure, someone who maintained control over many aspects of Ventura’s life.

Combs’ lawyers worked to undermine Ventura’s credibility but also acknowledged her as a willing participant in occasional “freak-offs.”

The trial is anticipated to span another seven weeks, and if convicted, Combs could face a life sentence in prison.