Cassie faces skeptical cross-examination from Diddy's defense team

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Casandra Ventura, the R&B singer and model who has accused Diddy of physical and sexual abuse, faced cross-examination today from Anna Estevao, one of the rapper’s lawyers. Estevao set out to portray Ventura as a willing participant in Diddy’s “freak offs,” challenging the singer’s insistence that she was coerced into the drug-fueled, voyeuristic sexual encounters.

When cross-examination started, Ventura spoke with trepidation and caution. But she seemed to gain confidence as the day went on, answering questions calmly and politely. She occasionally expressed confusion about certain queries. Estevao initially appeared to struggle to find a rhythm, repeatedly starting and stopping, but she settled into a steady groove after lunch. 

Diddy’s three sons as well as his mother, Janice Combs, sat in the gallery today. The rapper’s mom has been in the federal courtroom in downtown Manhattan every day this week, listening to extraordinarily graphic testimony about her son’s alleged history of violent abuse and sexual proclivities.

Judge Arun Subramanian looks determined to keep the trial moving at a brisk clip. He promised jurors they would be done with their service before July 4 — and he appears mindful of the fact that Ventura is potentially days away from giving birth. He sternly reminded the defense it was given a day and a half to question her, and scolded Diddy’s lead attorney after he pushed back.