Family members of Sean 'Diddy' Combs arrive at courtpublished at 14:24 British Summer Time 14 May
Image source, ReutersKing Combs (R), son of Sean 'Diddy' Combs, holds an umbrella for Janice Combs (C), Diddy's mother
Summary
R&B singer Casandra Ventura, known as Cassie, gave her second day of testimony as the prosecution's key witness in the sex-trafficking trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs
Warning: This page contains distressing details
Cassie detailed beatings and sexual violence she says she experienced during the relationship and described the toll it took on her mental and physical health
Jurors in the case were shown videos of the so- called "freak-offs" - sexual encounters with male escorts which Cassie says Combs demanded, paid for and recorded
Earlier, Cassie testified that she endured abuse at the hands of Combs during the sessions, and that videos of the episodes were later used as blackmail
Combs faces charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution
The 55-year-old denies all charges. If found guilty, he could spend the rest of his life in prison
Watch: Cassie details violent relationship with Diddy at trial
Family members of Sean 'Diddy' Combs arrive at courtpublished at 14:24 British Summer Time 14 May
Image source, ReutersImage caption, Ventura testimony is 'critical' to prosecution's case, legal expert sayspublished at 14:11 British Summer Time 14 May
Ana Faguy
US reporterJennifer Beidel, a former US attorney for the Southern District of New York, tells the BBC that because of the length of Casandra Ventura and Sean "Diddy" Combs' relationship - about a decade, on and off - Ventura's testimony in this case is crucial.
"The jury is looking to put together a cohesive narrative, so hearing from someone who was there for a number of years is really critical," Beidel tells me.
Cases are much more likely to be successful when there is a "narrator" who can walk the jury through the course of events and explain their perspective of how it all went down, Beidel says.
"When there are 10 or 20 witnesses it's hard for [jurors] to understand. That's why Ms Ventura is so critical," she says.
While Beidel says Ventura is essential to the prosecution's case, her appearance on the witness stand could also a bit of a "double-edged" sword, she says.
Because Ventura was in a relationship with Combs for such a long period of time, the door is open for the defence to question why she would stay in the poor conditions she describes for so long.
If the defence is able to cast doubt on why Ventura might have stayed with Combs for many years despite the alleged abuse - without coming across as "victim blaming" - the defence could have some success, Beidel says.
People line up in the rain for chance to get into courtroompublished at 13:42 British Summer Time 14 May
Sakshi Venkatraman
Reporting from court
Image source, ReutersIt's a very rain day here in New York, where a large group of people are again waiting outside court for the start of the Diddy trial.
Some people have reportedly been waiting in line since court adjourned on Tuesday afternoon, all to try and get a seat in the main courtroom.
Most of the people here will end up in one of the court's overflow rooms, which have TV screens and speakers so reporters and the public can follow the trial.
But that video is strictly for use in court, there are no other cameras allowed - which is why you will see more court sketches today.
We’re expecting prosecutors to continue questioning Cassie Ventura for at least half of today, and then the defence will begin its cross examination.
Tearful Casandra Ventura told court Diddy beat and humiliated herpublished at 13:27 British Summer Time 14 May
Image source, Jane Rosenberg / ReutersWarning: This post and others below contain distressing details
On Tuesday, Sean "Diddy" Combs' ex-girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, told the hip-hop mogul's sex-trafficking trial that he controlled her life and coerced her into "humiliating" sex acts.
The prosecution's star witness testified about the alleged physical and emotional abuse she endured at the hands of the rapper during so-called "freak-offs", or sexual encounters the couple had with male escorts.
Ventura, who is about eight months pregnant, spoke softly and took deep breaths before answering prosecutors’ questions. At times she was visibly emotional.
She told the court, Diddy introduced her to so-called "freak-offs" where she had sex with male escorts while Diddy watched, directed, and recorded.
Image source, Jane Rosenberg / ReutersCassie alleged Diddy controlled every aspect of her life and music career.
She also talked about fearing what he would do if she had refused to participate in a "freak-off" and told the court that Diddy often beat her.
Diddy would "bash on my head, knock me over, drag me, kick me", she told the court.
Listen: Diddy on Trialpublished at 13:23 British Summer Time 14 May
Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Podcast host, Diddy on Trial
The BBC's Diddy on Trial podcast has followed every twist and turn in Diddy’s case since November 2024.
From bombshell balcony dangling allegations, to featuring in a Kanye West track behind bars, and Diddy accusing the federal government of racism - there have been headline-making moments every week... and that's before the trial even started.
Now we're bringing you all the updates straight from court in New York.
You can listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds or watch on our YouTube channe, externall.
Cassie Ventura to return to witness stand in Diddy sex-trafficking trialpublished at 13:22 British Summer Time 14 May
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Sean "Diddy" Combs sex-trafficking trial in New York.
When we wrapped up yesterday, Casandra "Cassie" Ventura was in the witness box testifying against her former boyfriend - the music mogul Diddy.
She will be back on the stand today and will continue to face questions from the prosecution.
Combs' defence lawyers will then begin their cross examination.
Combs, 55, has denied all charges against him.
Stay with us as our reporters in court bring you the latest on this trial.