Cassie told Sean 'Diddy' Combs 'I'm not a rag doll' after 2016 hotel assault
Share this @internewscast.com

NEW YORK (AP) — R&B singer Cassie provided more details about her text exchanges with her former boyfriend Sean “Diddy” Combs during her cross-examination on Friday in the music mogul’s sex trafficking trial. While recounting a violent incident at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016 where Combs allegedly beat her, Cassie stated, “I’m not a rag doll. I’m somebody’s child.”

Despite the incident, Cassie and Combs were exchanging messages expressing affection for one another just a few days later. Cassie wrote in a text, “We need a different vibe from Friday” as they attempted to move past the situation.

During two days of cross-examination that concluded on Friday afternoon, Cassie and one of Combs’ defense attorneys read aloud the couple’s messages in a Manhattan courtroom. Additionally, the defense aimed to challenge Cassie’s account of an alleged rape by Combs in 2018, which she said occurred after their nearly 11-year relationship ended.

In the “rag doll” text, Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, told Combs he was out of control from drugs and alcohol that day. After hotel security video of the assault was released last year, Combs apologized and said he was “disgusted” by his actions.

Federal prosecutors allege Combs exploited his status as a music executive and businessman to force women into drug-fueled encounters with male sex workers, called “freak-offs,” that he watched and directed. Cassie is one of several accusers expected to testify.

However, Combs’ lawyers want the jury to see Cassie as a willing and eager participant in his sexual lifestyle. He has pleaded not guilty to federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges.

His defense says that, although he could be violent, nothing he did amounted to a criminal enterprise. And Combs insists all the sex at the freak-offs was consensual.

Cassie, the prosecution’s star witness, testified she was ashamed and loathed taking part in “hundreds” of the freak-offs, which could go on for days. But she said she felt compelled because Combs threatened her with violence, and was physically abusive “a lot” during the encounters. He also threatened to publicly release sex videos of her if she made him angry, she said.

Combs, 55, has been jailed since September. He faces at least 15 years in prison if convicted.

Defense questioning of Cassie ends Friday

Cassie, who is pregnant with her third child and nearing her due date, spent four days on the witness stand. After her testimony finished, she stood in the witness box and appeared unsure whether to wait for the jury to leave first. Judge Arun Subramanian told her: “Why don’t you go ahead. You’ve been here a long time.”

Throughout her cross-examination on Thursday and Friday, she read messages that showed her apparent willingness to participate in the sexual encounters.

In a 2012 exchange, Combs told Cassie he wanted to “FO one last time tonight,” using initials for freak-off. Cassie replied, “What?” Combs said, “You can’t read?” Then Cassie replied, “I don’t want to freak off for the last time. I want it to be the first time for the rest of our lives.”

Estevao ended her questioning there, but prosecutor Emily Johnson had Cassie read more messages for context.

“I want to see you, but I’m emotional right now,” Cassie wrote. “I don’t want to do one last time. I’d rather not do it at all.”

Cassie testified she was initially open to the encounters because she wanted to make him happy and spend time with him, but grew weary as the years went on.

The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly, as Cassie has.

Cassie filed a lawsuit in 2023 accusing Combs of physical and sexual abuse, but they settled within hours for $20 million — an amount she disclosed publicly for the first time this week. Dozens of other women have since made similar legal claims.

Cassie’s testimony ended with another bombshell disclosure: She said she recently reached an estimated $10 million settlement with Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles, where she was assaulted. She didn’t disclose the nature of her claim.

Scrutiny on the 2018 rape claim against Combs

Estevao also raised questions on Friday about Cassie’s rape claim against Combs, noting that Cassie gave differing descriptions of his demeanor and the timing of the alleged assault in interviews with investigators and in her trial testimony.

Cassie contends the rape happened at her Los Angeles home after she and Combs had dinner in Malibu, California, to discuss their breakup, either in August or September 2018.

While Cassie testified this week that Combs was “really nice” and “playful” at the dinner, Estevao pointed out that Cassie told investigators in 2023 that Combs had been “acting very strangely” that night. Cassie clarified, “Nice, but strangely.”

Cassie also testified this week that Combs, during the dinner, was trying to get her to go to the Burning Man festival in Nevada, but previously told investigators that the dinner and rape happened after Combs returned from Burning Man.

Cassie acknowledged she stayed in touch with Combs and had consensual sex with him a few weeks after she says he raped her. She also exchanged warm messages with Combs after they broke up, even after she marrying Alex Fine in 2019.

Cassie is asked about her time in a treatment center

Estevao also questioned Cassie about her weeks-long stint in a treatment center for women in 2023. Estevao noted the center offered treatment for sex addiction, sexual compulsion and love addiction, and she asked Cassie if she was treated for any of those things.

Cassie replied that she was not, but rather was there for therapy to help her process trauma. She testified earlier that she experienced post-traumatic stress disorder before breaking up with Combs in 2018, and was blacking out and sleepwalking. She also said she broke down in 2023 and tried to walk into traffic outside her home, but her husband stopped her.

___

Associated Press writer Dave Collins in Hartford, Connecticut, contributed to this report.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
2026 World Cup draw will be held at Washington's Kennedy Center, Trump says

Trump Announces 2026 World Cup Draw to Take Place at Washington’s Kennedy Center

President Donald Trump said Friday that the draw for the 2026 World…
Nigel Farage at a press conference.

Nigel Farage reveals strategy to deport asylum seekers on 5 flights daily & plans to prohibit claims from small boat arrivals

NIGEL Farage has unveiled a “mass deportation” plan with five flights out…
Three killed in blue-city shootings as Trump threatens to expand federal crime crackdown

Three Dead in Blue City Shootings as Trump Plans to Intensify Federal Crime Control

Three people were shot to death in separate shootings in Chicago overnight,…
Bronzeville nursing home Southview Manor set to lose Medicare, Medicaid funding, at risk of closing

Southview Manor Nursing Home in Bronzeville Faces Potential Closure Due to Medicare and Medicaid Funding Loss

CHICAGO (WLS) — A South Side nursing home is at risk of…
Russia's Lavrov looks to draw China in on Ukraine's 'security guarantees'

Russia Seeks China’s Involvement in Ukraine Security Guarantees, Says Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov may be looking to bring China into…
Strong winds and waves batter Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard as Hurricane Erin moves out to the sea

Powerful Winds and Waves Hit Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard as Hurricane Erin Departs

RODANTHE, N.C. (AP) — Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard faced strong winds and…
Photo of Danna Angelina Munoz Rayon.

Remains of Missing 21-Year-Old Mother Discovered in Garden After Family Gets Ominous Messages from Unknown Source

The body of a 21-year-old missing mother was discovered buried in a…
Meghan Markle shares 'important message' about Prince Harry in flirty post

Meghan Markle Delivers Heartfelt Note About Prince Harry in Playful Post

With love, Meghan Markle is sharing a video of Prince Harry hanging…
Black and white photo of Donald McPherson, America's last living ace pilot from World War II, in the cockpit of his plane.

America’s Final Surviving Ace Pilot from WWII, Who Downed Five Enemy Aircraft, Passes Away at 103

AMERICA’S last living fighter ace from World War II has died at…
More frozen shrimp recalled for possible radioactive contamination

Additional Frozen Shrimp Recalled Due to Potential Radioactive Contamination

More packages of frozen shrimp potentially affected by radioactive contamination have been…
NYPD officer shot during carjacking by career criminal, Adams rips justice reforms

Career Criminal Shoots NYPD Officer During Carjacking; Adams Criticizes Justice Reforms

An NYPD police officer was shot twice Friday morning while responding to…