Cassie Ventura’s mother and unique dancer nicknamed ‘The Punisher’ take the stand in Diddy’s trial

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Prosecutors known as 4 witnesses to the stand right this moment in an effort to color a wider portrait of Diddy’s alleged abusive habits and his complicated relationship together with his ex-girlfriend Cassie, who spent 4 grueling days answering questions final week. The important thing moments from right this moment’s testimony:

David James, Diddy’s former private assistant, returned to the stand and testified that he give up his job after he noticed the rapper arm himself with three handguns to presumably confront rival hip-hop mogul Suge Knight at a Los Angeles dinner in 2008. James stated that he was “shook up” by the episode and that he started to really feel his life was at risk.

Regina Ventura, the mom of Diddy’s ex-girlfriend, stated she felt “bodily sick” after her daughter instructed her he had threatened to launch express movies as a result of Cassie was courting rapper Child Cudi. Diddy needed $20,000 in trade, Cassie’s mother testified. She additionally instructed jurors she took photographs of bruises on her daughter.

Sharay Hayes, a male stripper nicknamed “The Punisher,” testified about being employed for as many as 12 choreographed “freak offs” with Diddy and Cassie. Hayes, going through cross-examination from protection lawyer Xavier Donaldson, agreed that Cassie didn’t seem like in any “discomfort” through the marathon sexual encounters.

Gerard Gannon, a federal agent who deliberate the search at Diddy’s Miami residence final yr, walked jurors by means of photographs of proof seized on the property, together with AR-15 rifles, child oil, lubricant and intercourse toys. The serial numbers on the weapons had been scratched out, making it more durable for individuals to hint them, Gannon stated. 

The view from inside

By Adam Reiss and Chloe Melas

Diddy, sporting a blue sweater over a white shirt, sat again in his seat and infrequently handed notes to his attorneys as witness after witness took the stand right this moment to explain his alleged sample of abuse and propensity for violence. In a single notable second, Diddy began laughing as James recounted taking ecstasy.

Regina Ventura got here throughout as subdued in her comparatively temporary time on the stand, answering questions matter-of-factly with none apparent shows of emotion. Diddy’s protection workforce handed on the possibility to cross-examine her, and shortly after she left the courthouse together with her husband, Rodrick Ventura.

In different information: The day’s testimony introduced a second of levity to a courtroom that has recently been outlined by graphic testimony and tense authorized arguments. Marc Agnifilo, one among Diddy’s attorneys, instructed James he had a couple of “mundane questions” throughout cross-examination. “I like mundane questions,” James replied, drawing laughter from the gallery.

Evaluation: Why escorts are key to the federal government’s case

By Danny Cevallos

Hayes​, the unique dancer, t​previous jurors that he by no means noticed any violence throughout his sexual experiences with Ventura and D​iddy. So far as medication, he stated he noticed solely marijuana — and ​he testified that he by no means noticed Ventura intoxicated by illicit substances.

Escorts are the important thing to the federal government’s Mann Act prosecution (Counts 3 and 5), though the testimony above has little to do with the weather the prosecution should show.

The Mann Act makes it unlawful to knowingly transport “any particular person in interstate or international commerce … with intent that such particular person have interaction in … any sexual exercise for which any particular person will be charged with a legal offense.” All the federal government must show intent is set up {that a} dominant function — not the one function — of the journey was to have interaction the person in prostitution. 

In different phrases, all the federal government actually wants for a Mann Act conviction is an escort to testify (1) “I’m a intercourse employee”; (2) “Combs had me are available from one other state”; and (3) “He paid me for intercourse.” That’s it.

The prosecution doesn’t want medication, child oil and even violence for a Mann Act conviction. In actual fact, not one of the charged crimes have child oil as a component in any respect — it’s simply that the federal government may be very, excellent at discovering proof that jurors can’t presumably neglect. It has launched a variety of that sort of proof to this point.

What’s subsequent 

Tomorrow: Gannon is anticipated to return to the stand for extra testimony in regards to the search at Diddy’s property in Miami. Additionally anticipated this week: Scott Mescudi, higher referred to as Child Cudi.

 PSA: Each evening throughout Diddy’s trial, NBC’s “Dateline” will drop particular episodes of the “True Crime Weekly” podcast to get you up to the mark. “Dateline” correspondent Andrea Canning chats with NBC Information’ Chloe Melas and particular friends — proper in entrance of the courthouse. Pay attention right here.