Explosive testimony emerged Wednesday in the ongoing federal trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, as his former stylist recounted a violent incident in which ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura allegedly required stitches after being beaten by Combs.
Deonte Nash, who styled both Combs and Ventura during their relationship, took the stand under subpoena during the third week of the trial. Nash detailed multiple instances of alleged abuse, including one incident in which Combs reportedly assaulted Ventura at her Los Angeles apartment while she slept.
“He grabbed her by the hair and started beating her,” Nash told the jury, recounting how he and an assistant, identified only as “Mia,” attempted to shield Ventura from the attack. The stylist said Combs broke into a bedroom where they sought refuge, continued the assault, and caused Ventura to hit her head on a bedframe, leaving her bleeding heavily.
According to Nash, Combs barred him from calling emergency services, instructing instead that a member of his security team would take Ventura to a plastic surgeon. Nash testified that the following day he saw Ventura on a video call with stitches in her eyebrow.
The testimony also revealed a disturbing pattern of verbal abuse and coercion. Nash claimed Combs routinely referred to Ventura using derogatory terms and pressured her into participating in drug-fueled sex parties—referred to in court as “freak-offs”, against her will. He also alleged that Combs threatened to release explicit tapes of Ventura involving male sex workers.
Nash, a longtime friend of Ventura who first joined Combs’ Bad Boy Records as an intern, remained closely connected to the singer and now insists on referring to her by her married name, Mrs. Fine, after she wed personal trainer Alex Fine in 2019. Ventura recently gave birth to her third child and testified for four days earlier in the trial while heavily pregnant.
Wednesday’s proceedings also included testimony from Los Angeles law enforcement officials concerning an alleged arson targeting rapper Kid Cudi (legal name Scott Mescudi), who previously testified that his Porsche was firebombed in 2012. Arson investigator Lance Jimenez presented photos of the scorched vehicle and described finding a makeshift Molotov cocktail at the scene. He said fingerprints recovered from the site partially matched an unidentified woman, but additional evidence was destroyed by LAPD without his consent.
Combs’ defense team, led by Marc Agnifilo, objected to prosecutors’ suggestion of foul play in the evidence destruction and unsuccessfully moved for a mistrial. The judge instructed jurors to disregard the disputed testimony.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to federal charges including racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Testimony is set to continue Thursday with Combs’ former assistant, “Mia,” expected to take the stand.
Written By Rodney Mbua
