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
Falcons taking calls for potential Kyle Pitts trade: NFL insider

Falcons open to trade discussions for Kyle Pitts, according to NFL insider

Teams are making calls to acquire Kyle Pitts from the Falcons. ESPN…
Transportation chief seeks to weaken fuel economy standards, calls Biden-era rule 'illegal'

Transportation Chief Aims to Revise Fuel Economy Standards, Deems Biden-Era Rules ‘Illegal’

DETROIT (AP) — On Friday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that the…
Apollo America recalls smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Apollo America Issues Recall for Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

The combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can malfunction and fail to…
Photo of missing teenager Phoebe Bishop.

A Heartbreaking Journey: The 3-Week Search for Pheobe Bishop – From Vanishing at the Airport to Arrests and a Devastating Discovery

PHEOBE Bishop mysteriously vanished over three weeks ago in a gripping disappearance…
Former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown out as NTSB vice president

Ex-Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown Files Lawsuit Against Trump Administration and NTSB

Alvin Brown was appointed vice chairman of the NTSB but was later…
Dems Are Losing Their Minds, Launching the Usual Fear Tactics After SCOTUS Lets DOGE Get on With Its Work

Democrats Panic and Resort to Fear Tactics as Supreme Court Allows DOGE to Proceed

It might seem cliché to repeatedly mention this, but it consistently arises…
Close-up of a man's face.

Suspect in Cold Case Murder of Young Mother Commits Suicide on Video Call During Police Questioning

A MURDER suspect in a 14-year-old cold case shot himself in the…
Germany's Merz to 'adapt' to Trump during high-stakes meeting on tariffs, defense

Germany’s Merz to Adjust Strategy Ahead of Crucial Tariff and Defense Talks with Trump

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! German Chancellor Friedrich Merz…
Israel Bombs Christian-Hospital Gaza: A Tragic Attack

Tragic Incident: Christian Hospital in Gaza Hit by Israeli Airstrike

On June 5, 2025, Israeli forces bombed the courtyard of the Al-Ahli…
Arne Bye, 55, charged with sexual abuse and rape

Norwegian Gynaecologist Sentenced for Raping and Secretly Filming Patients Over Two Decades

A DOCTOR who raped dozens of patients and secretly filmed examinations for…
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ministry of Defense of Ukraine/UPI/Shutterstock (15342808i) Ukraine launched "Operation Spiderweb" on Sunday, June 1, 2025, targeting Belaya Air Base in Russia's Irkutsk region in Siberia, approximately 3,000 miles from Ukraine, using drones to strike its enemy's strategic bombers. This image, taken from a video released by Ukraine, shows Tu-95 Bear and Tu-22 Backfire bombers, as well as A-50 Mainstay airborne early warning and control aircraft under attack. According to a senior NATO official, roughly 40 aircraft were damaged, with 10-13 destroyed. Screenshot via Ministry of Defense of Ukraine/UPI Ukraine Launches Drone Attack Deep Inside Russia Targeting Strategic Bombers, Russian Federation - 04 Jun 2025

Discover Ukraine’s Elite Special Ops Team Targeting Putin’s Forces: From Bombing Raids to Taking Down a £3 Billion Bridge… What’s Their Next Move?

Deep within hostile territories, Ukraine’s special operations unit has redefined modern warfare…
LIST: Potential candidates for Florida's governor race in 2026

Rundown: Possible Contenders for Florida’s 2026 Gubernatorial Election

Candidates for Florida’s gubernatorial race in 2026 are starting to emerge across…