Sean “Diddy” Combs’ defense hammered Cassie Ventura on Friday over her bombshell accusation that the music mogul raped her, dredging up a messy web of breakup texts and the couple’s final tryst in an attempt to undercut her story.
The eight-months-pregnant Ventura, 38, remained composed in Manhattan federal court as defense attorney Anna Estevao quizzed her over when the Bad Boy Records allegedly raped her, dredging up old texts as she tried to poke holes in Ventura’s accusation.
“Hit me when you can ‘heart emoji,’” Ventura texted Combs in August 2018.
During the same conversation, Combs texted Ventura: “I know I look bad to you. I could tell I didn’t turn you on yesterday. I fell off.”
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ defense has been attempting to poke holes in Cassie Ventura’s rape claim. REUTERSThe R&B singer has testified at trial that Combs sexually assaulted her that August – a month earlier than she claimed in a civil lawsuit – and contended it happened after a meal in Malibu as she sought closure amid their breakup.
In September 2018, Combs and Ventura were texting amid their final breakup — and Estevao pointed out that she didn’t mention the alleged sexual assault.
“You don’t say anything to the effect of the last time we saw each other you raped me?” Estevao asked Ventura.
“Right,” Ventura responded.
Cassie Ventura, Sean Combs at the Costume Institute Gala Benefit celebrating China: Through the Looking Glass, Yahoo Style After Party in 2015. Matteo Prandoni/BFA/Shutterstock“In fact you’re saying you want to keep the peace?” Estevao asked.
“Right,” Ventura said.
The cross-examination also shockingly revealed Combs’ potential bipolar disorder for the first time as Estevao asked Ventura about the mogul’s mood during the night of the alleged rape.
Ventura testified that she said Combs was acting “strangely” earlier that night at dinner — “nice but strangely” — and that he “wasn’t in his right mind” because when she pleaded with him to stop, he didn’t.
The R&B singer testified at trial that Combs sexually assaulted her after seeking closure amid their breakup. Getty ImagesCombs’ attorney then asked Ventura to confirm whether she told prosecutors that “his behavior [that night] could be attributed to his bipolar disorder.”
Ventura muttered, “I guess so.”
Estevao also grilled Ventura about her being intimate with Combs a few days after the alleged rape and following their breakup.
Ventura muttered, “I guess so,” when asked to confirm whether Combs’ behavior had to do with his bipolar disorder. NFLVentura confirmed that she got a FaceTime call from her now-husband, Alex Fine, the last time she and Combs slept together in September 2018.
“When you were having sexual intercourse did you get a FaceTime call? Did you answer?” Estevao asked.
“No,” Ventura replied.
Ventura confirmed that she got a FaceTime call from her now-husband, Alex Fine, the last time she and Combs slept together. alexfine44/Instagram“Did you recognize the caller ID to be your now-husband?” Estevao pressed, to which Ventura replied, “Yes.”
Ventura said that Fine, a personal trainer with whom she shares two children, eventually found out that she had been sleeping with her ex.
He also later discovered about the alleged rape — and punched a wall when he did, Ventura testified.
Despite alleging years of unwanted “freak-offs” and accusing Combs of rape, Ventura testified she doesn’t “hate” him.
Ventura testified she doesn’t “hate” Diddy despite alleging years of unwanted “freak-offs.” WireImage“I don’t hate him,” Ventura replied, before swatting aside a suggestion by the attorney that she still had love for Combs today.
“I have love for the past and what it was.”
Combs, 55, faces up to life in prison if convicted on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and other crimes related to his so-called “freak-offs.”
He has pleaded not guilty.
