Diddy trial live: ‘Freak off’ escort known as ‘The Punisher’ and Cassie Ventura’s mother expected to testify

Monday’s hearing began with more testimony from Dawn Richard, a singer who worked with Sean “Diddy” Combs and sued him for abuse last year.

Richard testified that she saw Combs attack his then-girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura with a skillet. Afterward, Richard said Combs told her not to say anything about the incident, telling her, “where he comes from, people go missing.”

But the defense tried to poke holes in Richard’s testimony, claiming her story on the skillet incident had changed and that she failed to tell prosecutors last year that Combs threatened her.

In response, Richard said she’s remembering the details “to the best of her ability.”

Meanwhile, formerly of Ventura’s closest friends, Kerry Morgan, testified that she saw Combs assault Ventura on multiple occasions. Morgan also testified that Combs assaulted her with a hanger in 2018. Ventura wasn’t supportive in the wake of the assault, Morgan said, which led to the end of their 17-year friendship.

The day ended with a few minutes of testimony from David James, Combs’s assistant from 2007 to 2009. James described gruelling 20-hour work days and became emotional when recalling a staff member once told him, “This is Mr. Combs’s kingdom, we’re all here to serve in it.”

Prosecutors said that Tuesday’s witnesses will include an alleged escort and exotic dancer known as “The Punisher,” Sharay Hayes, as well as Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura’s mother, Regina Ventura.

Without mentioning Hayes by name, Ventura testified last week that a man known as “The Punisher” participated in several drug-fueled marathon sex sessions known as“freak-offs” with her and Combs.

Combs’ former personal chef, Jourdan Atkinson, is also expected to be called to the stand Tuesday.