In its cross-examination, the defense is trying to argue to the jury that Cassie Ventura and Sean “Diddy” Combs’ relationship was more complicated than what the prosecution painted it to be, a CNN reporter in the courtroom said.
Prosecutors, during their direct examination of Ventura, have alleged that Combs committed a “sex trafficking crime,” CNN correspondent Kara Scannell explained.
“Combs’ defense is that there there was domestic violence in this relationship, he’s not running away from it, but he says it wasn’t sex trafficking,” Scannell said.
The defense is arguing that many of the fights between Combs and Ventura came because of infidelity on both sides. In response to their questioning, Ventura testified that drug use made both of them irritable.
“That’s another way that the defense here is trying to create a more complicated scene than what the theory of the prosecution’s case is,” she said.
The defense also asked Ventura about if Combs’ staff knew about the “Freak Offs.” This goes to the racketeering charge against Combs, in which the prosecution alleges he was using his businesses and his enterprise to commit these crimes, Scannell said.
Ventura testified today that she didn’t tell Combs’ staff about the sexual encounters, but yesterday she detailed how some of Combs’ assistants and other personnel would help make arrangements for escorts and hotel rooms.
