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Diddy’s lawyers face shock accusation

Diddy’s lawyers face shock accusation

Prosecutors in the Sean “Diddy” Combs sex-trafficking trial told the Manhattan federal court on Thursday — after Casandra “Cassie” Ventura’s gruelling third day of testimony — that they fear she may go “into labour.”

The federal government wrote in a letter to the judge, “The defendant should not now be afforded the opportunity to hold Ms. Ventura on cross-examination over the weekend, offering him an additional two days to review transcripts of the witness’s testimony to prepare additional cross-examination inquiry, or risk a mistrial if the witness goes into labour.”

The prosecutors have said that they would like Combs’ lawyers to finish their cross-examination of Ventura — which began Thursday morning — to end by 4:30pm. ET Friday at the latest.

The amount of time the singer has been on the stand has been a contentious point at the trial.

Judge Arun Subramanian told prosecutors Thursday afternoon, “You will have today and the morning tomorrow” to finish cross-examination, adding, “This is not the kind of witness who is fighting you.”

 

Sean Diddy Combs and Cassandra Cassie Ventura. Picture: Supplied.
Sean Diddy Combs and Cassandra Cassie Ventura. Picture: Supplied.

 

However, Combs’ lead defence counsel Marc Agnifilo responded that their team was not aware that there was a hard deadline for Ventura, noting, “This is a critical witness in a case that involves a life sentence.”

“In what universe did you not understand this was important given it was in numerous filings and discussed among the parties several times? This witness was going to be done this week,” Judge Subramanian hit back. “You have a day-and-a-half.”

The hours-long testimonies have clearly taken a toll on Ventura, who is currently eight months pregnant. (She is expecting her third child with husband Alex Fine).

On Thursday, the singer asked the judge for a break only minutes into the defence’s cross-examination after lawyer Anna Estevao presented her racy and sexual texts to the court.

The lawyer pressed Ventura on a text that said, “I’m always ready to freak off lol” to try and prove she was a willing participant in the infamous “Freak-Offs,” in which the singer had sex with Combs and an escort.

“I can’t wait to stare at some big black d–k,” another text read, along with a third in which Ventura graphically described what she couldn’t “wait” for her then-boyfriend to do to her.

The latter was what pushed the singer, 38, over the edge, prompting for the break request, as she held onto her baby bump while on the stand.

 

Sean 'Diddy' Combs with former pal Jay-Z. Picture: Getty.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs with former pal Jay-Z. Picture: Getty.

 

Following a brief intermission Thursday, Ventura returned to testify over the jealous spats she and Combs had throughout their decade-long romance, including heated fights over her fling with rapper Kid Cudi.

The defence tried to make the point that Combs, 55, simply had a liking for the “swingers lifestyle” — and that his then-girlfriend was aware of that.

Prior to cross-examination, Ventura had to endure two full days of the prosecution asking her questions.

On Tuesday, she divulged heartbreaking details of the alleged abuse she suffered, including when Combs would demand she “fix [her] face” or “watch [her] mouth” and then smack her in the face.

“He would bash me on my head, knock me over, drag me, kick me, stomp me on the head if I was down,” she testified of their domestic disputes.

Ventura also testified that day about the fear she felt when Combs allegedly handed her a loaded gun while she was high. She also revealed the incestuous nickname the rapper asked her to call him.

On Wednesday, Ventura revealed even more shocking details about their “Freak-Offs” — like the numerous medical issues she struggled with as a result of the days-long sex acts.

The singer has also had to rewatch the horrifying 2016 surveillance footage of Combs beating her at a New York City hotel and testify over what happened that day.

The testimony has, at times, brought Ventura to tears. She got emotional once when describing the rapper’s “violent” temper and how he would “just become a different person.”

“His look would just change over,” she recalled amid sniffles. “The best way to describe it is his eyes just go black. The version that I was in love with is no longer there.”

This story originally appeared on Page Six and is republished here with permission.

Author: Jack Morphet - Page Six

Source: News Corp Australia Network:

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