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(NewsNation) — Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal criminal trial continues Monday with testimony from the music producer’s former protégé Dawn Richard, who first took the witness stand late Friday afternoon.
Richard follows the weeklong testimony of lead witness Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, who was in a relationship with the music producer for a decade.
The singer was a member of Combs-created music group Danity Kane from his MTV reality show “Making the Band.”
Richard entered the lower Manhattan federal court on Monday with her civil attorney, Lisa Bloom.
The singer took the stand once more on Monday morning.
Richard testified that Combs threatened her and another woman after they witnessed the rapper attempt to assault his then-girlfriend, Ventura, with skillet.
Dawn Richard testifies she felt threatened for her life by Diddy
She told the prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Mitzi Steiner, that she took what Combs said as more than intimidation tactics, indicating she felt their lives were threatened saying, “That we could die.”
On Monday she was asked by Steiner how many times she saw the imprisoned music mogul assault Ventura.
“Frequently. He would punch her, choke her, drag her, slap her in the mouth. I saw him kick her, punch her in the stomach,” Richard said.
Dawn Richard witnessed Diddy beat Cassie with skillet: testimony
Richard testified Friday that she witnessed Combs physically attack Ventura on several occasions, including once with a “skillet full of eggs” at his home.
“He came downstairs asking where his phone was, and he threw her to the ground,” she told jurors, adding that Combs “proceeded to hit her on the head and beat her on the ground in front of us.”
“He attempted to kick her, she fell to the ground and went into the fetal position, literally trying to hide her head,” Richard testified.
“I was scared for her and scared to do anything, ” Richard said. “I had never seen anything like that before.”
Richard testified that Combs did not need an impetus to violently attack Ventura.
“It could be random. We wouldn’t even know where it came from,” Richard said.
She said that Combs would assault Ventura if she voiced her own thoughts; “if she had an opinion about something.”
Richard testified that Combs would not like her to speak to Ventura, and he told her to stay out of his relationship.
“Mr. Combs didn’t like that when we talked to Cassie and oftentimes, we would pay for it,” Richard said, “If you didn’t stay in line, there was consequences.”
During Richard’s cross-examination, defense lawyer Nicole Westmoreland hinted that her motives for testifying in Combs federal case along with filing a civil case are because she was bitter toward her former music label boss.
Westmoreland questioned Richard, “You felt that Mr. Combs ruined your career not once but twice?”
The singer responded back, “Yes.” However, she elaborated that her choice to testify and to sue was rooted in justice-seeking over his poor treatment of her and funds that were withheld from her from Combs.
Richard sued Combs last year, accusing him of physical abuse, groping and psychological abuse during the years they worked together.
Richard’s attorney, Bloom, told NewsNation after her client testified that, “I’m very proud of the courage that my client Dawn Richard displayed in court during her testimony on Friday and again today.”
Cassie’s friend heard Diddy say he owned the singer
Kelly Morgan, a close friend of Ventura’s, testified on Monday that she was an eyewitness to Combs’ abuse of the entertainer.
Morgan said she saw the rapper assault Ventura twice, pulling her hair, kicking her, and pushing her.
Ventura’s friend said on the stand that the up-and-coming artist’s career was at the fate of Combs, and once she heard the record label executive say he “owned” his then-girlfriend and signed artist.
“He was in charge of her career,” Morgan said.
Cassie’s testimony centred around Diddy’s ‘Freak Offs’
Prosecutors opened their case with Ventura, who testified the day after opening statements.
During her testimony, Ventura discussed fearing for her safety and being forced into the sexual encounters called “Freak Offs.”
But defense attorneys argued that all the sexual acts were consensual, and although he could be violent, he never veered into sex trafficking and racketeering.
After giving her testimony while in late-stage pregnancy, Ventura released a statement saying: “This week has been extremely challenging, but also remarkably empowering and healing for me. I hope that my testimony has given strength and a voice to other survivors and can help others who have suffered to speak up and also heal from the abuse and fear.”
Prior to Richard, a law enforcement agent briefly testified that drugs, cash and baby oil were found in Combs’ Manhattan hotel room when he was arrested last September.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
