Sean “Diddy” Combs has been accused of “brutally” attacking his former girlfriend, Casandra Fine (formerly known as Cassie Ventura), as his criminal trial begins. According to HipHopDX, opening statements from the prosecution on Monday (May 12) detailed vicious attacks suffered by the “Me & U” singer throughout the duration of their 11-year relationship.
Prosecutor Emily Johnson argued that the Hip-Hop mogul “physically abused” and “exploited” Fine, and became violent when he believed she had another love interest.
Sean “Diddy” Combs attends the Pre-GRAMMY Gala and GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Sean “Diddy” Combs on January 25, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California.
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“Furious, he set out to find her. He said he would kill the man,” explained Johnson of the alleged abuse. Once the Harlem native located Fine, he allegedly “brutally” attacked her, “kicking her in the back and flinging her around like a rag doll.”
Johnson also described how Combs allegedly threatened to blackmail Fine with video footage of her engaging in sexual acts with male sex workers, claiming he kept “souvenirs of the most humiliating nights of her life”.
In May, video footage was released of Combs violently assaulting Fine in March 2016. The judge will allow the video to be played for the jury despite attempts by Combs’ legal team to have it banned. Fine is also set to testify against the 55-year-old using her real name.
Sean “Diddy” Combs and Cassie attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City.
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Additional details about the tumultuous relationship were also revealed in the opening statements. Per NBC News, the former pop star officially ended things with Combs after the death of Kim Porter in 2018 according to the defense.
“When Combs said Kim Porter was his soulmate, Cassie realized all the things she would not be, she wanted to be Combs’ wife,” claimed lawyer Teny Geragos. He added that Fine allegedly understood, “she would never be that, never be his wife, never be his love of his life.”
“We will not shy away from the things he did, but we will not own the things he did not do,” exclaimed Geragos. “He is physical, he is a drug user, you may know of his love of baby oil. Is that a federal crime? No!”
Quincy Brown, Chance Combs, D’Lila Star Combs, Jessie Combs, Love Combs, Justin Combs, Christian King Combs, Diddy Combs children arrive for the continuation of the jury selection phase of the Sean “Diddy” Combs trial at the Southern District Manhattan Federal court on May 12, 2025 in New York City. Combs has been charged with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transporting to engage in prostitution.
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According to the outlet, Combs’ sons Christian, Justin, and Quincy, daughters Chance, Jessie and D’Lila, and mother Janice were all in the courtroom for the opening statements.
Combs’ legal team will allegedly take the approach of portraying the singer as “aggressive,” “violent,” and “capable of physical confrontation” in his defense. NBC News also noted the jury was advised that “they are not there to judge as ‘the moral police,’ and suggest all the alleged victims were willing participants.”
The Grammy winner has entered a not guilty plea to sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transporting to engage in prostitution
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