This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. A friend and stylist ofCassie Ventura Fine, a Los Angeles police officer and an arson investigator for the Los Angeles Fire Department, testified May 28 inSean "Diddy" Combs' federal trial. Deonte Nashsaid Combs tried to control all aspects of Ventura Fine's life during theirdecade-long relationship, from her music to her social circle and more. "It drove her crazy. She would cry," Nash, who also worked as a stylist with Combs, told jurors. Nash also testified that the former hip-hop mogul threatened to repeatedly beat her, including bashing her head on a bed frame. Nash will finish his testimony in court May 29. Earlier on May 28, prosecutors also questioned two emergency officials on allegations thatCombs broke into fellow rapper Kid Cudi's homeand a separate incident that sawKid Cudi's Porsche explodein his driveway. Combs, 55, wasarrested in September 2024and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty. Lance Jimenez, an arson investigator for the Los Angeles Fire Department, took the stand May 28 to describe theexplosion that wrecked Kid Cudi's Porsche. Jimenez confirmed a Molotov cocktail was responsible for the explosion, calling it a "makeshift firebomb." The makeshift bomb was made with an Old English malt liquor bottle and a "designer handkerchief," Jimenez said, describing the garment as having "fancy lines" and "silky material." "In my opinion,it was targeted," Jimenez said of the fire. Nash told jurors May 28 that he frequently sawDiddy be violent with Cassie,hitting her face and giving her black eyes. He alleged Combs once beat Ventura Fine so badly in a hotel room that she had abloody gash over her eyethat required stitches. The stylist describedanother violent incidentin 2013 or 2014, when an angry Combs allegedly came to herLos Angeles apartment, pleading with her to speak privately. After a few minutes, they emerged from her bedroom with Combs allegedly grabbing her by the hair and jacket and pushing her halfway out the door while yelling at her to get out of her own home. Nash said there were at least four security guards with Combs that night who initially blocked him from leaving the building, but they eventually let him drive Cassie to safety. But while Nash and Ventura Fine were in the vehicle, Combs called them and ordered them to pull over. When he caught up, Nash said the rapper came to the car window and againthreatened to release footage of Ventura Fine having sex. Midwayduring court proceedings on May 28, Combs' lawyers moved for a mistrial, arguing that prosecutors were improperly trying to suggest that the hip-hop mogul had evidence tied to an alleged arson incident destroyed. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian swiftlydenied the request. Before breaking for lunch on May 28, jurors heard testimony from Nash, who worked as astylist for Combs and Ventura Finebetween 2009 and 2018. Los Angeles Police Department officer Chris Ignacio also testified about Combs' allegedbreak-in at Kid Cudi's home. Capricorn Clark's testimony this week came after a slew of witnesses, includingVentura Fine's motherRegina Ventura,Danity KanealumDawn RichardandScott Mescudi (aka Kid Cudi), appeared in court last week to share harrowing accounts of Combs' alleged abuse. Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling lawsuit that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry. He wasarrested in September 2024and has been charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity. Using RICO law, which is typically aimed attargeting multi-person criminal organizations,prosecutors allegethat Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in "freak offs" — sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors allege they have video of. The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings. USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom.Sign up for our newsletterfor more updates. Contributing: USA TODAY staff;Reuters If you are a survivor of sexual assault,RAINNoffers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) andHotline.RAINN.organd en EspañolRAINN.org/es. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Diddy trial live updates: Lauren London, Capricorn Clark, other celebs
