Cassie headed to ex-boyfriend Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial before giving her witness testimony.
Cassie, 38, was spotted leaving for the New York City courthouse on Tuesday, May 13. In the image, she showed off her growing baby bump while walking with husband Alex Fine. (Cassie and Fine revealed earlier this year that they are expecting baby No. 3.)
Her appearance comes one day after opening statements were given in the trial, where arguments by both sides noted that allegations made by Cassie and an unnamed Jane Doe will be the main focus of the proceedings.
After the jury was finalized, Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson alleged that Cassie once overdosed at a freak off where a sex worker urinated in her mouth. “She tried the first freak off because she loved the defendant and wanted to make him happy,” the lawyer continued. Jane Doe, meanwhile, allegedly believed that her first freak off was a “one-time wild night.”
Following the opening statements, witness Daniel Phillip testified on Monday that he was paid from $700 to $5,000 or $6,000 to be intimate with Cassie while Diddy was present and “always sitting in a corner masturbating.”
Israel Florez, a former security guard at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles, also testified on Monday, recalling an incident where Diddy assaulted Cassie in 2016 (as captured on video published by CNN last year). Florez testified that Diddy was in a “devilish state,” while claiming that Cassie looked “scared.”
Cassie’s husband was present for the first day of testimony.
Cassie (real name Casandra Ventura) is set to take the stand in the trial — using her full name and not an anonymous pseudonym — against 55-year-old Diddy.
The disgraced music mogul was arrested in September 2024 on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has vehemently denied all allegations.
“We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Diddy’s attorney Marc Agnifilo told Us Weekly in a statement at the time. “Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children and working to uplift the Black community. He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal.”
Diddy was indicted by a grand jury after Cassie, amongst other women, accused him of sexual misconduct. The “Me & U” singer named Diddy in a November 2023 lawsuit, accusing him of repeated physical abuse and sexual assault for a decade. Cassie, who dated Diddy on and off from 2007 to 2018, and the rapper ultimately settled the case out of court within a day.
“I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control,” Cassie said in a statement that November. “I want to thank my family, fans and lawyers for their unwavering support.”
Diddy’s lawyers, meanwhile, noted that the settlement was not an admission of wrongdoing on their client’s behalf.
“Just so we’re clear, a decision to settle a lawsuit, especially in 2023, is in no way an admission of wrongdoing,” attorney Ben Brafman said in a statement shared with Us. “Mr. Combs‘ decision to settle the lawsuit does not in any way undermine his flat-out denial of the claims. He is happy they got to a mutual settlement and wishes Ms. Ventura the best.”
The prosecutor’s indictment against Diddy also cited a resurfaced video published by CNN of the music star allegedly choking and kicking Cassie outside a hotel room in 2016. He apologized for his actions last year.
“It’s difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, sometimes you gotta do that,” Diddy said in a May 2024 video shared via social media. “I was f***ed up. I mean, I hit rock bottom, but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I’m disgusted. I went and sought out professional help. I’ve been going to therapy, going to rehab. Had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry, but I’m committed to being a better man each and every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m truly sorry.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support. If you or someone you know is a human trafficking victim, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
