The trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is now well underway, with graphic testimony, hotel surveillance footage and disturbing allegations dominating proceedings. Prosecutors allege a pattern of abuse, violence and coercion, with Combs facing charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. The defence, meanwhile, argues that while Combs’ behaviour may be troubling, it does not constitute the crimes for which he’s on trial.
Harrowing video and hotel incident
At the heart of the trial is a 2016 hotel surveillance video showing Combs allegedly assaulting his then-girlfriend, singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura. Jurors were shown the footage multiple times, which reportedly depicts Combs chasing Cassie down a hallway, striking her, throwing her to the ground, kicking her, and dragging her back toward their room.
Former hotel security guard Israel Florez, the prosecution’s first witness, described finding Combs with a “devilish stare,” slouched in a chair wearing only a towel after the attack. Florez said Cassie appeared visibly shaken, covered up with a hoodie and desperate to leave. He also testified that Combs attempted to bribe him, allegedly handing him a stack of cash and saying: “Don’t tell nobody.” Florez refused the money.
Prosecutors also presented images of damage to the hotel corridor—uprooted plants, soil flung across walls—and internal reports detailing Combs' alleged attempts to suppress the incident.
Escort testimony and graphic descriptions
The trial has taken a darker turn with the testimony of male escort Daniel Phillip, who recounted his encounters with Cassie and Combs. Phillip testified that he was paid thousands of dollars to sleep with Cassie while Combs watched, often wearing a white robe. He alleged that these encounters took place multiple times, forming part of what prosecutors claim was a “Freak Off” culture of coerced sex.
Phillip described one occasion when he heard Cassie being beaten in another room during one of their sessions. “Someone was being slapped around, slammed around the room,” he told the court. He later witnessed Combs dragging Cassie by her hair into a bedroom as she screamed, “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”
Phillip also testified that Combs demanded a photo of his ID, which he interpreted as an intimidation tactic. His credibility was questioned during cross-examination, with the defence highlighting the entertainment nature of his former profession and challenging his motives.
Defence pushes back: 'He’s not a trafficker'
Combs’ legal team, led by attorney Geragos, conceded that their client has a volatile temper and admitted the video of the hotel beating is damning. “It is horrible, dehumanising violence,” Geragos told jurors. But she argued that this does not amount to sex trafficking or racketeering. “Domestic violence is not sex trafficking,” she said, calling Combs a “swinger,” not a criminal mastermind.
Acknowledging his drug use, jealousy, and unusual sexual preferences, Geragos maintained these characteristics should not be mistaken for criminal behaviour. “You may think he’s a jerk,” she said, “but he’s not being charged with being mean or having a bad temper.”
She dismissed the case as being rooted in tabloid gossip, telling jurors: “There has been a tremendous amount of noise around this case… It is time to cancel that noise.”
What comes next
Jurors have been instructed not to speak about the case as it continues, with proceedings set to resume. More witnesses, including Cassie herself, are expected to testify in the coming days. Prosecutors also plan to show further video evidence from inside the hotel. The trial is expected to last eight weeks.
If convicted, Combs could face significant prison time. His team remains adamant that while his lifestyle may be controversial, it is not criminal. The jury’s challenge will be separating what is morally troubling from what is legally proven.
Harrowing video and hotel incident
At the heart of the trial is a 2016 hotel surveillance video showing Combs allegedly assaulting his then-girlfriend, singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura. Jurors were shown the footage multiple times, which reportedly depicts Combs chasing Cassie down a hallway, striking her, throwing her to the ground, kicking her, and dragging her back toward their room.
Former hotel security guard Israel Florez, the prosecution’s first witness, described finding Combs with a “devilish stare,” slouched in a chair wearing only a towel after the attack. Florez said Cassie appeared visibly shaken, covered up with a hoodie and desperate to leave. He also testified that Combs attempted to bribe him, allegedly handing him a stack of cash and saying: “Don’t tell nobody.” Florez refused the money.
Prosecutors also presented images of damage to the hotel corridor—uprooted plants, soil flung across walls—and internal reports detailing Combs' alleged attempts to suppress the incident.
Escort testimony and graphic descriptions
The trial has taken a darker turn with the testimony of male escort Daniel Phillip, who recounted his encounters with Cassie and Combs. Phillip testified that he was paid thousands of dollars to sleep with Cassie while Combs watched, often wearing a white robe. He alleged that these encounters took place multiple times, forming part of what prosecutors claim was a “Freak Off” culture of coerced sex.
Phillip described one occasion when he heard Cassie being beaten in another room during one of their sessions. “Someone was being slapped around, slammed around the room,” he told the court. He later witnessed Combs dragging Cassie by her hair into a bedroom as she screamed, “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”
Phillip also testified that Combs demanded a photo of his ID, which he interpreted as an intimidation tactic. His credibility was questioned during cross-examination, with the defence highlighting the entertainment nature of his former profession and challenging his motives.
Defence pushes back: 'He’s not a trafficker'
Combs’ legal team, led by attorney Geragos, conceded that their client has a volatile temper and admitted the video of the hotel beating is damning. “It is horrible, dehumanising violence,” Geragos told jurors. But she argued that this does not amount to sex trafficking or racketeering. “Domestic violence is not sex trafficking,” she said, calling Combs a “swinger,” not a criminal mastermind.
Acknowledging his drug use, jealousy, and unusual sexual preferences, Geragos maintained these characteristics should not be mistaken for criminal behaviour. “You may think he’s a jerk,” she said, “but he’s not being charged with being mean or having a bad temper.”
She dismissed the case as being rooted in tabloid gossip, telling jurors: “There has been a tremendous amount of noise around this case… It is time to cancel that noise.”
What comes next
Jurors have been instructed not to speak about the case as it continues, with proceedings set to resume. More witnesses, including Cassie herself, are expected to testify in the coming days. Prosecutors also plan to show further video evidence from inside the hotel. The trial is expected to last eight weeks.
If convicted, Combs could face significant prison time. His team remains adamant that while his lifestyle may be controversial, it is not criminal. The jury’s challenge will be separating what is morally troubling from what is legally proven.
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