Diddy trial update: Cassie sobs on stand as her testimony concludes
After the first week of testimony Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial, Cassie’s time on the stand ends following harrowing testimony on Combs’ alleged abuse.
Casandra “Cassie” Ventura Fine, who testified against her ex-boyfriend Sean “Diddy Combs during his landmark federal sex-crimes trial, is speaking out against the music mogul’s potential release from prison ahead of his sentencing hearing.
In a letter to U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian filed Tuesday, Sept. 30, Ventura Fine opened up about the psychological toll of her decadelong relationship with the disgraced rapper, as well as shared her concerns about Combs’ custody status.
“I still have nightmares and flashbacks on a regular, everyday basis, and continue to require psychological care to cope with my past,” Ventura Fine wrote, according to court documents obtained by USA TODAY. “My worries that Sean Combs or his associates will come after me and my family is my reality.”
Ventura Fine revealed that she’s maintained a low profile since Combs’ trial, which concluded in July and saw the Grammy-winning rapper receive a split verdict, convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution but acquitted on the more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. The one-time R&B star added that she and her family have also moved out of the New York area as a safety precaution.
“I am so scared that if he walks free, his first actions will be swift retribution toward me and others who spoke up about his abuse at trial,” Ventura Fine continued. “As much progress as I have made in recovering from his abuse, I remain very much afraid of what he is capable of and the malice he undoubtedly harbors toward me for having the bravery to tell the truth.”
Ventura Fine, who met Combs when she was 19 as an aspiring singer, testified during Combs’ monthslong federal trial, peeling back the curtain on years of alleged physical and sexual abuse, which included participating in several of Combs’ reported “freak-off” sex parties.
Combs, who is expected to be sentenced on Friday, Oct. 3, remains in custody at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center after repeated attempts at bail, all of which have been denied.
Contributing: USA TODAY staff reports
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.usatoday.com ’
