Dawn Richard testifies about seeing Cassie ‘attacked’ by ‘screaming, belligerent’ Combs
Dawn Richard, a member of music groups Diddy Dirty Money and Danity Kane, testified to the jury she “observed Cassie being attacked” by Sean Combs in his Los Angeles hotel in 2009.
“She was attacked by Sean Combs,” Richard testified. “He came downstairs screaming, belligerent, asking where his phone was, and proceeded to hit her in the head and beat her on the ground.”
Richard testified she was in the residence recording at the time.
“He said ‘where the f— is his eggs,'” Richard testified. “He took the skillet with the eggs” and took a swing at Ventura, Richard alleged.
She testified that Ventura dropped to the ground, “literally trying to hide her face or her head.”
Richard has made similar allegations in a civil lawsuit filed against Combs in 2024. Combs has broadly denied the allegations contained in the lawsuit.
The defense objected to many of the questions put to Richard by the prosecution so the judge adjourned the court and instructed the jury to return 8:30 a.m. ET Monday.
Court is scheduled to adjourn each day next week at 3 p.m. ET
DIDDY ON TRIAL: First week of witness testimony recap
Eyewitness News breaks down the first full week of witness testimony in the Sean Combs trial including star witness Cassie Ventura.
NEW YORK — After four days on the witness stand, Cassie Ventura concluded her testimony Friday at the trial of her ex-boyfriend, Sean “Diddy” Combs.
It came shortly after the defense concluded nearly two days of cross-examination.
Prosecutors allege Combs, 55, used his fame and fortune to orchestrate an empire of exploitation, coercing women into abusive sex parties.
If Combs is convicted on all charges, which include racketeering, kidnapping, arson, bribery and sex trafficking, he would face a mandatory 15 years in prison and could remain behind bars for life.
This story may contain accounts and descriptions of actual or alleged events that some readers may find disturbing.
“Bad Rap: The Case Against Diddy,” a new podcast from “20/20” and ABC Audio, traces how the whispers of abuse came to light and led to the downfall of Sean “Diddy” Combs, who was once among the most influential entertainers and entrepreneurs in hip hop. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and more.
Kemberly Richardson reports from Lower Manhattan.
(ABC News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Key Headlines
May 17, 2025, 12:06 AM CEST
Special agent testifies to drugs, baby oil in Combs’ hotel room at time of arrest
May 16, 2025, 10:40 PM CEST
Cassie Ventura concludes her testimony after 4 days on the witness stand
May 16, 2025, 8:10 PM CEST
Cross-examination of Cassie Ventura concludes
May 16, 2025, 5:58 PM CEST
Defense questions Ventura on PTSD and opiate addiction treatment
May 15, 2025, 8:51 PM CEST
Cassie Ventura recounts moments of jealousy as defense digs into relationship with Combs
May 15, 2025, 11:00 PM CEST
Defense questions Cassie Ventura’s testimony on violence, drug habits
May 15, 2025, 7:21 PM CEST
And now, the questioning turns to the ‘freak-offs’
May 14, 2025, 11:35 PM CEST
Jury is shown images from ‘freak off’ videos
Here’s how the news is developing.
AP logo
May 17, 2025, 1:03 AM CEST
Prosecution says it is on pace to finish its case within 6 weeks
The prosecution will continue to make its case at the trial of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs on Monday in New York City.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey said as lawyers spoke with the judge after the jury left for the day that the government is on a pace to finish presenting its case within six weeks.
The judge said at the trial’s start that it would be finished within two months. The defense has not said how long it will take to present its case.
Comey said the next witness after Richard will be Cassie’s longtime friend Kerry Morgan.
Show More
May 17, 2025, 12:06 AM CEST
Dawn Richard testifies about seeing Cassie ‘attacked’ by ‘screaming, belligerent’ Combs
Dawn Richard, a member of music groups Diddy Dirty Money and Danity Kane, testified to the jury she “observed Cassie being attacked” by Sean Combs in his Los Angeles hotel in 2009.
“She was attacked by Sean Combs,” Richard testified. “He came downstairs screaming, belligerent, asking where his phone was, and proceeded to hit her in the head and beat her on the ground.”
Richard testified she was in the residence recording at the time.
“He said ‘where the f— is his eggs,'” Richard testified. “He took the skillet with the eggs” and took a swing at Ventura, Richard alleged.
She testified that Ventura dropped to the ground, “literally trying to hide her face or her head.”
Richard has made similar allegations in a civil lawsuit filed against Combs in 2024. Combs has broadly denied the allegations contained in the lawsuit.
The defense objected to many of the questions put to Richard by the prosecution so the judge adjourned the court and instructed the jury to return 8:30 a.m. ET Monday.
Court is scheduled to adjourn each day next week at 3 p.m. ET
Dawn Richard, a member of music groups Diddy Dirty Money and Danity Kane, testified to the jury she “observed Cassie being attacked” by Sean Combs in his Los Angeles hotel in 2009.
“She was attacked by Sean Combs,” Richard testified. “He came downstairs screaming, belligerent, asking where his phone was, and proceeded to hit her in the head and beat her on the ground.”
Richard testified she was in the residence recording at the time.
“He said ‘where the f— is his eggs,'” Richard testified. “He took the skillet with the eggs” and took a swing at Ventura, Richard alleged.
