Day 11 of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial in Manhattan federal court brought more testimony about the music mogul’s alleged violence.
Prosecutors called celebrity stylist Deonte Nash to the stand on Wednesday, May 28, to describe some of what he witnessed while working with the mogul’s former girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
According to CNN, Nash told the court he saw bruises on the R&B singer’s body “quite often,” but said he never went to police because he feared retaliation by Combs and his network.
The stylist told jurors the mogul pressured Cassie into participating in “freak off” sex parties, including on her birthday. Nash said the “Me & U” singer pleaded with the mogul to be left alone to celebrate with her friends, but Combs had “control” over her life.
Related: Cassie Testifies About ‘Disgusting’ Acts Diddy Demanded During ‘Freak Offs’
The stylist also alleged that he saw Combs attack Cassie in a hotel room in 2013 or 2014. The stylist said he jumped on the mogul’s back and tried to stop him, but Combs fought both off.
Nash said he helped Cassie hide from the mogul many times, in fact, “too many to count.”
He testified that Combs and his bodyguards once came to his home looking for Cassie and even searched the kitchen.
“He looked in the oven — I don’t know why he looked in the oven,” Nash said
On cross-examination, defense attorney Xavier Donaldson asked the stylist if he planned to sue Combs.
“No, I’m focused on getting out of here,” Nash said. “I have counsel to protect me… I don’t do federal court.”
Cassie is now married to personal trainer Alex Fine. The couple welcomed their third child on May 27, at a hospital in New York City. The baby boy was born nearly two weeks after the singer and actress took the stand and testified against Combs.
Federal prosecutors have charged Combs with five counts, including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.
The Bad Boy Records founder’s attorneys tried and failed Wednesday for a mistrial, after a Los Angeles arson investigator testified that some evidence related to the firebombing of rapper Kid Cudi’s car in 2012 was destroyed.
The defense claimed prosecutor’s implied that Combs was involved in the evidence being destroyed. Kid Cudi briefly dated Cassie angering Diddy, multiple people have testified.
Last week Cudi took the stand and accused Combs of breaking into his home and torching his Porsche.
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles arson investigator confirmed that a Molotov cocktail was thrown into the Porsche.
Watch a news report below on day 11 of the trial.
Discover more from Urban Hollywood 411
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
