Singer Dawn Richard testifies at Sean "Diddy" Combs trial, along with a former friend of Cassie's

CBS News New York's Alice Gainer was in court again Monday. Here's her description of what happened. 

David James, a former personal assistant to Combs from 2007 to 2009, was the next witness called to the stand. 

During his interview for a position at Bad Boy he applied for, a woman pointed to a photo of Combs on the wall and said, "It's Mr. Combs' kingdom. We're all here to serve him," James testified. 

Combs asked him two things before he got the job, James said. Those two things were how they would compile a spreadsheet with his preferences while he was in Miami, and why Combs would make him his personal assistant. 

He replied by telling Combs "can't stop, I won't stop," a reply Combs liked. 

He started working with him shortly thereafter. 

James then described his responsibilities, which including laying out Combs' schedule, turning on his television, making sure the chef had his food lined up and so on. 

James said his hours could range from 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. six or seven days a week, sometimes for three weeks straight. 

James was asked about a conversation he had with Ventura in which she said her lifestyle is so crazy. James had advised her to leave, and Ventura said Combs controlled her life and her money. 

In another conversation, Combs allegedly told James Ventura was "moldable." 

Court then concluded for the day. 

Morgan was asked to remind the jury what she saw during her visits with Ventura in Los Angeles and Jamaica. Morgan said she saw Combs hit her and push her, and the incident in Jamaica began because Combs thought Ventura was taking too long in the bathroom. 

Her testimony then concluded. 

Morgan said her relationship with Ventura broke apart and they haven't spoken since because she felt Ventura wasn't supportive of her after that incident. She said she draws a line at physical abuse. 

Morgan said the $30,000 settlement was offered by Ventura, and was handled without lawyers. 

Morgan said she remembered a time when Combs tried to get Ventura to do less drugs, and agreed they had a lot of fun when they had been in his orbit. 

Morgan said from her perspective, Ventura and Combs seemed very much in love, and that Combs was a flawed person. She testified from time to time she tried to help him become a better person. 

The defense asked Morgan a number of questions about other relationships Ventura had, and how she met Combs. They discussed trips to Italy, Ibiza and Burning Man. 

Also mentioned were a number of artists Ventura worked with, including French Montana.

Cross-examination of Morgan began when court resumed after a lunch break. 

Morgan was asked if she knew Richard. Morgan said she only was familiar with her from the reality show "Making The Band" that Richard was in. 

Morgan was asked about Ventura's injuries when police arrived at her apartment after the hammer incident, and how Ventura didn't say anything and was just sitting on the couch when officers arrived. 

Ventura's husband, Alex Fine, was in the courtroom throughout her testimony and shared a statement following her final day on the stand. 

"Over the past five days, the world has gotten to witness the strength and bravery of my wife freeing herself of her past," he said. 

"There has been speculation online surrounding how it must feel for me to sit there and listen to my wife's testimony. I have felt so many things sitting there. I have felt tremendous pride and overwhelming love for Cass. I have also felt profound anger that she has been subjected to sitting in front of a person who tried to break her. So, to him and all of those who helped him along the way, please know this….you didn't," the statement continued. 

"You did not break her spirit nor her smile that lights up every room. You did not break the souls of a mother who gives the best hugs and plays the silliest games with our little girls. You did not break the woman who has made me a better man. 

"I did not 'save Cassie' as some have said. To say that is an insult to the years of painful work my wife has done to save herself. Cassie saved Cassie. She alone broke free from the abuse, coercion, violence, and threats. She did the work of fighting the demons that only a demon himself could have done to her. All I have done is love her as she has loved me.

"Her life is now surrounded by love, laughter, and our family. This horrific chapter is forever put behind us and we will not be making additional statements. We appreciate all the love and support we have received and we ask that you respect our privacy as we welcome our son into a world that is now safer because of his mom."

Ventura, who is eight and a half months pregnant, shared a statement after her last day on the stand, calling her testimony "extremely challenging" but "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," her statement continued. "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 I am grateful for all the kindness and encouragement I have received. 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 my growing family."

Prosecutors accused the defense of dragging out Ventura's testimony, which could've triggered a mistrial if she went into labor. 

Morgan then testified about the 2018 incident in which Combs allegedly threw a wooden hanger at her. 

Combs was yelling at Ventura, trying to find out who she was cheating on him with. Morgan said she saw an assistant of Combs and told that person, "he's going crazy. He's lost it." 

She testified she got a concussion from being struck by the hanger, and would get dizzy. She visited an urgent care. 

A month later, Ventura told Morgan that Combs would pay her $30,000, saying Morgan was milking it and overexaggerating. 

Morgan signed a non-disclosure agreement, and they never spoke again. 

Court then took a lunch break. 

In another incident, Morgan testified she was at Ventura's apartment and she saw Combs with a hammer speaking loudly through a wooden door trying to get in. 

"I was terrified," Morgan said.

Ventura appeared numb, and was sitting still on the couch. Morgan testified she didn't think Ventura cared if Combs came in and killed her. 

D-Roc was called and couldn't get Combs out of there, so they called another employee, and Combs eventually left. 

The police eventually arrived, but she wasn't sure who called them, Morgan testified. 

The next witness called to the stand is Kerry Morgan, a former friend of Ventura's who Combs allegedly assaulted with a hanger in 2018. 

"We don't speak," Morgan testified. "Her boyfriend assaulted me." 

Morgan said she didn't want to testify, and that she has moved on from all this. 

Morgan testified she met Ventura on modeling shoots when they were teenagers and lived together in Manhattan. She testified Ventura was young, fun, worked hard and was successful as a model. 

On the stand, Morgan said Combs provided Ventura with drugs, and during her time with him she lost her spark, and wasn't the same. She testified she heard Combs talk down to Ventura and criticize her, and alleged she saw him assault her twice, once in Hollywood and once in Jamaica. 

Ventura and Morgan and some friends went on vacation in Jamaica in 2013. Halfway through the trip, Combs joined, Morgan said. Ventura had gone to the bathroom, and after a few minutes Combs allegedly said she's taking too long, and left. She then heard Ventura screaming, and she ran to her, Morgan testified. She said she saw Combs dragging Ventura out of the master bedroom by her hair, and called it terrifying. She said she ran to get her purse which had her phone and credit cards in it in case they needed to run. 

Morgan testified Ventura had fallen on her side and her head struck a brick, and she didn't move for 20-30 seconds, She testified that she thought Ventura had been knocked out and her eyes were shut. 

Morgan said she and Combs started yelling at each other, and Ventura got up and ran into a wooded area nearby. Morgan and Combs went in separate directions looking for Ventura, but it was Morgan who found her, and they hid in a ditch, although she wasn't sure for how long. Eventually, the two went back to the house. 

Morgan testified she saw additional incidents. 

During redirect examination, the government asked Richard about her recollections about that time and how they may have shifted. 

Richard said it takes time to remember things she tried to forget, saying it was a difficult environment to work in. 

Richard said in every meeting she had with prosecutors she described Combs attacking and beating Ventura, and that she was told to keep quiet. 

On recross, the defense asked if she reached out to Combs to restart a group even though she's now claiming he made death threats, and asked if she filed her lawsuit for compensation. Richard said she filed it because she wanted to compensated for the work she did. 

Dawn Richard's testimony then concluded. 

The defense asked Richard why she contacted Combs after she stopped working for him considering he had allegedly threatened her life. 

"But then you ask him to come and work with him again?" Westmoreland asked. 

Richard said she did. 

Questioning then turned to the group Richard and Harper and Combs were in, Diddy-Dirty Money, and whether it did well, pointing out her work with Danity Kane also did well. Richard acknowledged that since that time, she has released over 100 songs, but they haven't been as successful as the ones she did with Combs. 

Richard agreed that she had reached out to Combs to sign her as a solo artist, and he turned her down as recently as 2021. 

Westmoreland asked if Richard felt Combs had no legitimate reason to dismantle the previous groups she'd been in. 

"You were angry about it?" Westmoreland asked. 

"Saddened by it," Richard said.

"You would agree he ruined your career not once but twice?" Westmoreland asked.

"Yes," Richard said. 

Westmoreland asked Richard if she filed suit after Ventura did because she wanted to get a lot of money from Combs. Richard said no, she filed to get compensated for the work she put forth.

That concluded cross-examination. 

The defense asked Richard if she could recall who was present during the incident at the restaurant in which Combs allegedly struck Ventura. 

Richard said celebrities who were present included Usher, Jimmy Iovine and Neo. 

Questioning then turned to firearms she spotted Combs and his bodyguards with. Richard agreed that bodyguards are armed to protect their clients from danger. 

Westmoreland asked why she never mentioned seeing Combs with a gun during her eight interviews with prosecutors. Richard testified she never saw him draw the gun, just that she had seen it on him. 

Westmoreland continued to press Richard on things she said in court but didn't tell prosecutors during their interviews. Richard explained as time goes by, her recollection gets better because it all took place so long ago. 

"As time progresses, your story changes?" Westmoreland asked. 

Defense attorney Nicole Westmoreland asked Richard if her September 2024 lawsuit against Combs was still pending, which it is. The defense asked if she's changed her allegations in that lawsuit, which Richard denied. 

Westmoreland asked Richard about the incident in which Combs allegedly assaulted Ventura as she was preparing his eggs, and said her testimony in the courtroom is different than what was described in her lawsuit. In one instance, Richard allegedly said that Combs threw the eggs and put the pan down. 

Richard was asked if she agreed there's a difference between throwing eggs and putting the pan down as opposed to hitting someone with the pan. Richard agreed. 

Westmoreland asked Richard if it has been hard for her to keep her story straight about the egg incident. Richard said no. 

Westmoreland asked Richard if she recalls testifying that, after the eggs incident, Combs brought them into a room to discuss their passionate relationship. Westmoreland then questioned whether the alleged threat that followed during that conversation happened. Combs had allegedly told her and Harper they'd better not say anything, because people go missing. 

Richard told Westmoreland that's the truth. 

Westmoreland then showed Richard documents from her October 2024 interview with the government, in which she told prosecutors that Combs said it was nothing more than a love argument. 

Westmoreland said the first time Richard mentioned the people go missing remark was earlier this month, and in seven prior interviews with prosecutors, she never mentioned it. Westmoreland asked if she took that remark to be a death threat. 

Richard said she did. 

A death threat she didn't recall on seven separate occasions, Westmoreland said. 

"Yes," Richard said. 

Richard was asked if she ever observed Combs using drugs. She testified she saw him use marijuana, ketamine, cocaine, molly and ecstasy. She testified she observed him using drugs "often" in his home or at the studio. 

Richard testified Combs kept drugs in a Louis Vuitton pouch or toiletry bag. 

Richard said Combs offered her drugs and offered them to Ventura and Harper, and that she also saw him keep a pistol on his person. Richard testified he'd carry it to the studio, or if they went out to a club. She testified his bodyguards were also armed. 

Richard testified that, like Ventura, she has filed a civil lawsuit against Combs. 

"I'm expecting justice," Richard said. 

With that, direct examination ended, and the defense began their cross-examination. 

Richard said Ventura had big dreams, and wanted to put out an album and do more modeling. 

Combs didn't like that Richard and Harper would talk to Ventura, Richard testified. He would say her album would come out when he said it would, saying "he owned her," Richard said. 

"It was always wait, wait, wait for her," Richard said on the stand. "I told her she should leave ... Cas looked torn ... like, she would listen, but I could see the fear." 

"Stay the f*** out of my relationship," Combs allegedly told Richard. "Something bad will happen to you." 

Richard said there were "consequences" if you didn't "stay in line" around Combs. 

The president of Bad Boy records allegedly told Richard that Combs would say "it gets dark and lonely if you don't listen." 

Richard testified that she decided, for her own safety, that she wouldn't interfere. Considering the violence that she witnessed Combs inflict on Ventura, a person he loved, what would he do to an employee, she told the jury. 

Richard testified she witnessed Combs assault Ventura at a restaurant. 

"Mr. Combs punched Cassie in the stomach," Richard said. 

Combs and Ventura were having a private conversation while other folks, including Richard, were all eating at the tables together, including some celebrities, members of the Bad Boy record label, and Combs' staffers, Richard said. Richard testified the president of Bad Boy records was present and he didn't intervene. 

When they left the restaurant, they got into a sprinter van with Harper and Combs, with D-Roc behind the wheel. Ventura and Combs were arguing, with Ventura telling Combs she was embarrassed and he shouldn't have done that in public, Richard testified. 

Combs then grabbed Ventura by the neck and slapped her in the mouth with an open hand, telling her to "shut the f*** up," Richard said. 

Everyone was quiet for the rest of the ride, and D-Roc didn't respond, Richard said. 

After a music festival in Central Park, Richard said she was at Combs' home in New York City when Combs allegedly "punched [Ventura] in the face." 

"It was a closed fist," Richard alleged. "She came into the bathroom crying ... her eye was swelling." 

Combs walked off as Ventura put on makeup to try and hide her black eye, and put on sunglasses. 

Prosecutors then showed a photo of Richard, Ventura and Kalenna Harper, a singer who was in the group Diddy-Dirty Money with Richard and Combs. In the photo, all three women were wearing sunglasses. It was taken the same day as the alleged assault Richard had just described. Prosecutors asked why they all wore sunglasses. 

"To have solidarity," Richard answered. She told the jury it was to be a friend and support system to someone who needed it. 

Richard testified she frequently saw Combs physically abuse Ventura. 

"He would punch her, choke her," Richard said. "Slap her mouth." 

Combs would also threaten Ventura. 

"I saw him kick her," Richard said. "Punch her in the stomach." 

Ventura had a quiet demeanor, Richard said on the stand, and there were moments when she was trying to stick up for herself. 

Richard testified Combs' staff was present during some of the incidents. 

Richard returned to the stand, and attorneys asked her to remind the jury what Combs said to her after she allegedly witnessed him attack Ventura at his home in 2009. 

Richard told the jury that Combs said what happened was because their relationship was passionate. He then allegedly went on to threaten them. 

Richard testified that Combs said Ventura was OK, "and that if we said anything, we could go missing." 

"I was shocked, but also scared," Richard said on the stand. 

Prior to testimony resuming, the judge and attorneys went over some testimony and discussed some other issues. 

The judge also mentioned they were waiting on a juror. 

Prospective jurors were asked if they were familiar with a list of some 190 celebrities, including Michael B. Jordan, Kanye West and Mike Myers, though it wasn't clear how all those people were related to the trial, if at all. 

Ventura testified about dating Jordan, as well as Kid Cudi. 

She said she didn't tell Combs about her relationship with Kid Cudi, but he found out after going through her phone. 

She testified Combs lunged at her with a wine bottle opener, and later threatened to blow up Kid Cudi's car. She said she ended things with Kid Cui so no one would get hurt, and the three of them had a meeting to talk things through. 

Ventura also testified about Combs' rivalry with Suge Knight, saying one night Combs learned Suge Knight was nearby, and he allegedly grabbed a gun and left with his security. She also spoke about going to a party at Prince's house but running out because Combs was there. 

Singer Dawn Richard, of the group Danity Kane, began testifying Friday. 

She told the court she was at Combs' home in Los Angeles to record some music when she witnessed him attack Ventura. 

Ventura was cooking breakfast when Combs allegedly came downstairs saying "where the f***" were his eggs. 

Richard testified she saw Combs grab the skillet and move to hit Ventura with it. Ventura fell to the ground, curled into the fetal position, and then Combs "started to punch and kick her," Richard said on the stand. "I had never seen anything like that before."

The following day, Combs invited Richard and others back to his recording studio and explained to her that what happened with Ventura in the kitchen the day before was "what people in relationships do," Richard testified. 

Combs then gave them flowers, she said.

In addition to Ventura, three other accusers are expected to testify. They have not been named publicly and will be using pseudonyms. 

Jurors are expected to hear from one woman who the defense said had a three-year relationship with Combs that also turned jealous and violent, as well as former employees and an assistant. 

Combs has denied all of the allegations through his lawyers, who described the women as "former long-term girlfriends, who were involved in consensual relationships."

Since 2023, dozens of women and men have filed lawsuits against Combs alleging sexual and physical abuse. However, the majority of those allegations are not part of the criminal case. 

Ventura concluded her testimony Friday after four days on the stand, during which she gave explicit details about her relationship with Combs, including "freak offs" and an alleged rape in 2018. 

Here is a recap of what she was asked on her final day of cross examination: 

There is no livestream of the Sean "Diddy" Combs trial, because cameras are not allowed inside federal courtrooms.

However, sketch artists are allowed.

CBS News New York's Alice Gainer is covering the trial and will provide live updates on today's testimony. 

Click here to see Friday's liveblog.

The team prosecuting Combs is made up of eight assistant U.S. attorneys, seven of them women. They include Maurene Ryan Comey, daughter of former FBI Director James Comey. 

She was one of the prosecutors in the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of conspiring Jeffrey Epstein to recruit and sexually abuse teenage girls. 

Combs' defense team is led by New York lawyer Marc Agnifilo, who along with his wife Karen Friedman Agnifilo is also defending Luigi Mangione in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Also on the seven-person defense team is Atlanta attorney Brian Steel, who represented Young Thug in a trial that lasted nearly two years before the rapper pleaded guilty to gang, drug and gun charges.