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Sean “Diddy” Combs’ attorneys were hoping for a big moment during Cassie Ventura’s explosive testimony, prosecutors say. 

Ventura is the government’s star witness in its case against the disgraced hip-hop mogul. Her testimony began on Tuesday and stretched over several days as she shared details of what she says was an abusive and coercive relationship with the rapper. But in a letter to the judge obtained by Deadline, attorneys for the state claim that Diddy’s lawyers were attempting to drag out the heavily pregnant R&B star’s time in court. Their hope? That she would go into labor while on the stand, thus forcing a mistrial. 

Prosecution accuses Diddy’s attorneys of dragging out Cassie Ventura’s time on the witness stand 

In the May 16 letter, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York asked Judge Arun Subramanian to “exercise its discretion to limit the defendant’s cross examination of Ms. Ventura, if necessary, to ensure that her examination concludes by the end of the trial day today, May 16 2025.” 

Combs’ lawyers had two days to question his ex-girlfriend, the letter continued, as well as ample time to review evidence prior to the trial’s start date. They were also aware that Ventura needed to finish testifying by the end of the week because of her rapidly approaching due date. But the defense attempted various stalling tactics, the prosecution alleged, raising the possibility that Ventura might be recalled to the stand on Monday. That delay not only gave the defense additional time to prepare, but it also would “risk a mistrial if the witness goes into labor.”

“The inefficiency of cross-examination yesterday raises the inference that the defendant hopes to accomplish precisely that outcome,” the letter read. 

In the end, Judge Subramanian did not have to step in to halt Ventura’s testimony. On Friday, she finished her time on the stand after spending close to 20 hours answering questions from both the prosecution and the defense. 

Combs is facing five criminal counts, including sex trafficking and racketeering. He has pleaded not guilty and faces life in prison if convicted on all charges. 

Cassie Ventura says testifying was ‘challenging’ but also ‘empowering’ 

In a statement shared Friday via her lawyer, Doug Wigdor, Ventura said testifying against Combs, whom she dated from 2007 to 2018, had been “extremely challenging, but also remarkably empowering and healing.”

“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 abuse and fear,” she said in the statement, according to CNN. “For me, the more I heal, the more I can remember. And the more I can remember, the more I will never forget.”         

“I want to thank my family and my advocates for their unwavering support, and am grateful for all the kindness and encouragement that I have received,” added Ventura, who is expecting her third child with husband Alex Fine. “I am glad to put this chapter of my life to rest as I turn to focus on the conclusion of my pregnancy, I ask for privacy for me and for my growing family.”         

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