Sean 'Diddy' Combs Trial Live Updates: Week 2 Begins with More Witness Testimony in Sex Trafficking Case

Introduction

The federal sex trafficking trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs, the 55-year-old hip-hop mogul, entered its second week on Monday, May 19, 2025, at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse in New York City. Combs faces serious charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, with the trial expected to last at least eight weeks. The prosecution alleges that Combs coerced women into participating in drug-fueled sexual encounters, known as "freak offs," and used his vast business empire, along with threats, violence, and other means, to conceal his alleged crimes.

As Week 2 unfolds, the court continues to hear from key witnesses, including former associates and individuals close to Combs, who are providing detailed accounts of the alleged abuse and exploitation. Below are the live updates from the trial, focusing on the key developments from Day 7 (Monday, May 19) and Day 8 (Tuesday, May 20).

Day 7 Updates (May 19, 2025)

David James’s Testimony

David James, who served as Combs’s personal assistant from 2007 to 2009, testified on Monday, describing his time working for the music mogul as being part of "Mr. Combs' kingdom." He detailed the demanding nature of the job, which included long hours and ensuring that Combs’s hotel rooms were stocked with his preferred items. James also shared that Combs’s security team carried weapons, creating an intimidating environment.

He recounted a conversation with Cassie Ventura, Combs’s former girlfriend, where she expressed feeling trapped, saying, "I can’t get out." James explained that Ventura felt Combs controlled every aspect of her life, including her music career, finances, and personal freedom. His testimony provided insight into the alleged controlling behavior that the prosecution claims was central to Combs’s pattern of abuse.

Kerry Morgan’s Testimony

Kerry Morgan, once Cassie Ventura’s best friend, took the stand to describe witnessing Combs physically assault Ventura on multiple occasions. She detailed two specific incidents:

• In the Hollywood Hills, Morgan saw Combs push and hit Ventura.
• In Jamaica in 2013, she witnessed Combs drag Ventura by her hair, push her, and cause a bump on her forehead.

Morgan also shared her own harrowing experience of being assaulted by Combs in 2018. She testified that Combs choked her and hit her with a wooden hanger, leaving marks and causing a concussion. Following the incident, Morgan received $30,000 from Combs after threatening to sue him and was required to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). She has not spoken to Ventura since 2018. Morgan’s testimony underscored the alleged pattern of violence and intimidation attributed to Combs, as well as the fear that prevented victims from speaking out.

Dawn Richard’s Testimony

Dawn Richard, a former member of the girl group Danity Kane, signed to Combs’s Bad Boy Records, testified on Friday and was cross-examined on Monday. Richard filed a lawsuit against Combs in September 2024 (Dawn Richard Lawsuit), alleging that she witnessed him physically assault Cassie Ventura. During her testimony, Richard described seeing drugs, including weed, ketamine, and cocaine, around Combs and noticing injuries on Ventura. Her account added to the prosecution’s narrative of a toxic and abusive environment surrounding Combs.

Day 8 Updates (May 20, 2025)

Continuation of David James’s Testimony

David James returned to the stand on Tuesday, May 20, to continue his testimony. He is expected to provide further details about his time working for Combs and any additional incidents he witnessed involving Ventura or others. James’s testimony is anticipated to delve deeper into the alleged "freak offs" and the extent of Combs’s control over those around him. He may also discuss an incident involving Combs attacking a chef named Jourdan and confronting Suge Knight at Mel’s Diner.

Testimony from Sharay Hayes (The Punisher)

Sharay Hayes, an alleged escort known as "The Punisher," is scheduled to testify on Tuesday. Her testimony is expected to shed light on the prosecution’s claims about the "freak offs" and other activities central to the sex trafficking allegations. Hayes’s account could provide critical evidence supporting the prosecution’s argument that Combs orchestrated and facilitated these encounters.

Testimony from Regina Ventura (Cassie’s Mother)

Regina Ventura, Cassie Ventura’s mother, is also set to testify on Tuesday. The prosecution argues that she can provide testimony about an incident in December 2011 when Combs allegedly demanded $20,000 from Cassie for expenses, which was later wired back to her. Bank records are said to corroborate this claim. However, the defense has objected to this testimony, arguing that it is prejudicial and not directly relevant to the charges. The judge, Arun Subramanian, has yet to rule on whether Regina Ventura will be allowed to testify on this matter.

Additional Information

Family Presence

Combs’s family, including his mother Janice and his children—Quincy, Justin, King, Jessie, and D’Lila—were present in court during the first week of the trial. However, none of them attended on Monday. His sister was present on Tuesday. The absence of his immediate family on Monday may indicate the emotional toll the trial is taking on those closest to him.

Court Schedule and Jury Details

The court typically takes a lunch break at noon and adjourns at 3 p.m. ET daily. On Monday, the jury was dismissed early and is expected to return on Tuesday morning. The jury consists of 12 New Yorkers and 6 alternates. The trial is expected to last at least eight weeks, with witness testimony being a central component. Delays have occurred due to jurors arriving late, including a delay on Monday caused by one juror’s absence.

Prosecution’s Case

The prosecution’s star witness, Cassie Ventura, testified over four days last week, detailing a decade-long abusive relationship with Combs. She described being subjected to physical and sexual abuse, as well as being coerced into participating in "freak offs," which she described as drug-fueled sexual encounters lasting days. Ventura’s testimony was emotional and graphic, painting a disturbing picture of Combs’s alleged behavior. She was eight months pregnant during part of her testimony, adding to the gravity of her account.

Defense’s Stance

Combs has pleaded not guilty and denies all allegations. His defense team has argued that while he may have committed other crimes, the charges of sex trafficking and racketeering are unfounded. They have also objected to certain witness testimonies, such as Regina Ventura’s, as being prejudicial.

Courtroom Atmosphere

On Tuesday morning, the courtroom atmosphere was described as brisk and sunny, with a shorter line of spectators compared to the previous week. By 8:15 a.m., 24 members of the public and press were present, indicating continued public interest in the case.

Resources for Support

For those affected by domestic violence, resources are available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

Conclusion

As the second week of Sean "Diddy" Combs’s trial progresses, the prosecution continues to build its case through compelling witness testimony. David James, Kerry Morgan, and Dawn Richard have already provided detailed accounts of alleged abuse and control, while upcoming witnesses like Sharay Hayes and Regina Ventura are expected to further illuminate the prosecution’s claims. The trial has drawn significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the defendant and the serious nature of the charges. With more witnesses yet to testify and the trial expected to last several more weeks, the coming days will be crucial in determining the strength of the prosecution’s case.

Stay tuned for further live updates as the trial continues.

Key Information Table

Aspect	Details
Trial Name	Sean “Diddy” Combs Sex Trafficking and Racketeering Trial
Location	Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse, New York City
Charges	Sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, transportation for prostitution
Plea	Not guilty
Expected Duration	At least 8 weeks
Key Witnesses (Week 2)	David James, Kerry Morgan, Dawn Richard, Sharay Hayes, Regina Ventura
Prosecution’s Allegations	Coerced women into "freak offs," used violence and threats to conceal crimes
Defense’s Argument	Denies sex trafficking and racketeering charges, some testimonies are prejudicial
Jury Composition	12 New Yorkers, 6 alternates
Court Schedule	Lunch break at noon, adjourns at 3 p.m. ET daily