Pop singer Dawn Richard testified on Monday that she witnessed Sean “Diddy” Combs repeatedly assault his then-girlfriend, but faced aggressive questioning from a defence lawyer over discrepancies in her account.
Richard, formerly of the pop group Danity Kane, gave evidence during Combs’ sex trafficking trial in Manhattan federal court, recounting that she feared for her life after Combs warned her to stay silent about the alleged abuse. She said Combs told her he came from a place where people “go missing.”
Danity Kane was signed to Combs’ record label, and Richard said she frequently worked with the music mogul and saw him regularly with his girlfriend at the time, Casandra Ventura—who last week accused Combs of years of physical and emotional abuse.
“I was shocked but also scared,” Richard told jurors. She said she feared she and her bandmates “could die” if they spoke out about the incidents.
Now in its sixth day, the trial has drawn intense media attention due to Combs’ fame and influence in the music industry. The 55-year-old has pleaded not guilty to five felony charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transporting individuals to engage in prostitution. He has been held in a Brooklyn jail since September and faces 15 years to life in prison if convicted.
Under cross-examination by defence lawyer Nicole Westmoreland, Richard was pressed on inconsistencies in her testimony. She acknowledged altering key details, such as initially saying she only heard Combs throw a pan at Ventura in 2009 but later claiming she witnessed it. She also admitted omitting allegations of Combs’ threats and drug use in earlier interviews with prosecutors.
“We can agree your testimony has changed on quite a few things?” Westmoreland asked.
“I think as time progresses I get better at knowing what went on because it was quite a long time ago,” Richard responded.
Ventura, a 38-year-old R&B singer known professionally as Cassie, testified over four days that Combs coerced and blackmailed her into drug-fuelled sex parties he called “Freak Offs,” which form the core of the prosecution’s case.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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