Diddy trial recap: Kerry Morgan testified she ended friendship with Cassie after Combs ‘assaulted’ her with a hanger
Sean Combs’ former personal assistant David James also delivered testimony at Manhattan federal court
Kerry Morgan testified in the Sean “Diddy” Combs sex trafficking trial today following dramatic testimony last week from his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura.
Morgan was Ventura’s best friend from 2001 to 2018. Morgan said she was assaulted by Combs in 2018. Afterward, Morgan said Ventura wasn’t supportive and ended her friendship with the singer.
“He came up behind me and choked me and left finger marks on my neck and hit me in the head with a wooden hanger," Morgan testified. "Cassie was in the bathroom, it hit me behind my right ear."
Morgan previously testified she witnessed Combs assaulting Ventura multiple times, adding that the music mogul controlled his then-girlfriend’s livelihood. Earlier today, singer Dawn Richard similarly told the jury that Combs once said he “owned” Ventura, and that she could “see” that Ventura was afraid of him.
The day ended with a few minutes of testimony from Combs’s former assistant, David James. He will return to the witness stand on Tuesday morning.
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Kelly Rissman is covering the Sean “Diddy” Combs trial in New York:
It’s a beautiful day in Manhattan, but the line to watch the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs is tiny today, so it seems like the sensation is finally dying down.
All the line holders appear to be gone and there are no signs that anyone camped out overnight.
Former Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard resumes her testimony shortly, at 8:30am.
First witness expected today: Dawn Richard
Shortly the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs is expected to hear from former Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard, who began testifying at the sex trafficking trial on Friday.
She told the jury last week that she saw the hip-hop mogul physically and emotionally abuse his then-girlfriend for years.
Richard described a moment at Combs’ Los Angeles home in 2009 when she said the hip-hop mogul beat his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and dragged her upstairs by the hair. Richard then said she heard breaking glass and screaming.
Richard testified that Combs called her and others who witnessed the alleged assault into the studio the next day, gave them flowers and said their careers would be harmed if they reported the incident.
Last year, Richard filed a civil suit against Combs accusing him of physical abuse, groping, and psychological abuse during the years they worked together. His representative denied the claims at the time.
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Who is expected to testify this week?
Former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard is set to continue her testimony today.
Richard previously told the jury she saw Sean “Diddy” Combs beating his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in 2009.
Ventura’s former, long-time friend Kerry Morgan is also expected to take the stand today, CNN reports.
Later this week, Ventura’s mother is also expected to testify.
Dawn Richard enters the courtroom
Dawn Richard and the jury have entered the courtroom.
Richard is set to continue testifying that she saw Sean “Diddy” Combs abuse his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura.
Ventura testified for four days last week, describing years of alleged physical and sexual abuse by Combs.
Diddy was 'frequently' violent toward Cassie, witness testifies
Witness Dawn Richard told the jury she “frequently” saw Sean “Diddy” Combs be violent toward his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura.
“He would punch her, choke her, drag her, slap her in the mouth,” Richard testified. “I saw him kick her, punch her in the stomach.”
“It could be Cass speaking up for herself. It could be random. We didn’t even know where it came from,” Richard added.
Richard also recalled a 2009 incident, saying she witnessed Combs hit Ventura with a skillet. Combs then allegedly threatened both Richard and Ventura.
"He said you could go missing, that we could die," Richard testified. "I was shocked but also scared.”
Dawn Richard testifies about Cassie Ventura's injuries
Dawn Richard testified that Cassie Ventura often had injuries on her face, arms and legs after Sean “Diddy” Combs was violent toward her.
Ventura often wore sunglasses and makeup to hide the injuries, she said.
Richard added that two female members of the musical group Diddy Dirty Money wore sunglasses in solidarity with Ventura while in Central Park.
Dawn Richard testifies Diddy told her to stay out of his relationship with Cassie
Sean “Diddy” Combs allegedly told Dawn Richard to stay out of his relationship with Cassie Ventura.
Combs told Richard she was “here to work” and if she didn’t stop, she would “pay for it,” she testified.
“I made a decision that it would be best for the safety of myself to not interfere, because I don’t think that she was really ready to do anything,” Richard told the jury.
Diddy carried a gun and took drugs, Dawn Richard testifies
Dawn Richard said she “often” witnessed Sean “Diddy” Combs taking drugs, including ketamine, cocaine and marijuana.
Richard also saw Combs carrying a handgun, she told the jury. She said Combs’s bodyguards had guns too, keeping them on “their lower back.”