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May 13 110 tweets 25 min read Read on X
OK - US v Sean Combs May 13, Cassie on deck, after cross of escort Phillip - Inner City Press covers the trial matthewrussellleeicp.substack.com/p/extra-sean-c…
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All rise!
Judge Subramanian: Let's try to get through these issues efficiently as we have the jurors waiting... We have a letter from a juror that we will make Court Exhibit 1. On the videos, when will they be offered into evidence?
AUSA Johnson: This afternoon
Judge Subramanian: This is about evidence that is coming into the case. The public has a right to know what is happening at trial. I don't see how we would navigate that concern. There's a potential impact on the jurors of signaling some evidence requires sealing
AUSA Johnson: We just wouldn't show the videos to the courtroom gallery. And the jurors and everyone in the well would wear headphones. These materials are sexually explicit or involve nudity. One has submitted a letter
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Combs' Agnifilo: This is adult pornography, that's what this is. So it's narrowly tailored. Our application is only that the visual images and the audio is within the ambit of the sealing order. We could ask questions tastefully.
Combs' Agnifilo: What would the NYT or WSJ do with this? [Note: they are not the only press] Sometimes things get unsealed and published
[Yes: Eric Adams documentcloud.org/documents/2591…
Crypto, 2d Cir: documentcloud.org/documents/2455…
Judge: On the two incidents with Ms. Ventura, when we discussed this last week-
Defense: The assault in Connecticut, messages between Ms. Ventura and Mr. Combs, it's relevant.
Judge: Let's see if there's any issue
AUSA Johnson: It should be excluded
Combs' Teny Geragos: He suspected she was cheating on him. She did not answer her phone. She got into a bar fight and tried to kill someone. So it's relevant, to his suspicions. And her substance abuse outside of their sexual relationship.
Teny Geragos: She was taking drugs while close with her family, in another state.
Judge: I overrule the Government's objection. This can be asked about. Now, prior consistent statements. We're talking about a sequencing issue - are they on direct, or in rebuttal?
AUSA Johnson: In their opening, they said Ms. Ventura made her own choices. They asked, Who really had control in this relationship? Clearing begging the answer that it was Ms. Ventura. Exhibit B315, the threat to release the sex tape - they said only she had it
Combs' Alexandra Shapiro: We submit that these are hearsay until re-direct
Judge: If they come in, they're in. You don't object?
Shapiro: We do. What we said in the opening was that Mr. Combs-
Judge: You seemed to say she was lying about threats to release videos
Combs' Shapiro: The predicate for prior consistent statements hasn't been met.
Judge: I find that it has, for this exhibit. The defense opening said there will million$ of reasons for people to testify here. That's the attack that was used. As to B316 too
Judge: But the standard has not yet been reached as to B332 and B339. OK, get Mr. Phillip in the witness box then bring in the jury.
All rise!
Combs' Xavier Donaldson: So to continue - you returned to the Gramercy Hotel?
Male dancer Phillip: Yes
Combs' Donaldson: While you and Ms. Cassie Ventura were having sex for hours, Ms. Ventura took the lead?
Phillip: No.
Donaldson: You took the lead?
Phillip: We were equally doing our thing. There wasn't a leader.
Donaldson: You decided together?
Phillip: Yes
Combs' Donaldson: Fair to say she was in complete control of everything she was doing?
Male dancer Phillip: I can't say that
Donaldson: You did not wear a condom?
Phillip: I did not.
Donaldson: Your boss told you Ms. Cassie Ventura paid for the hotel?
Phillip: Yes
Combs' Donaldson: She paid with her credit card?
Male dancer Phillip: I have nothing to do with that. She used her card to pay for the dancer.
Donaldson: OK, that assault at her apartment on 11th Avenue-
Phillip: I believe it was West End Avenue
Combs' Donaldson: You claim Mr. Combs told her to come over, she said she had her personal information on the computer so wait a minute - and he threw a bottle at her?
Phillip: Correct.
Donaldson: He comes out and says, Are you ready?
Phillip: Are *you guys* ready
Combs' Donaldson: Isn't it true Mr. Combs told you, Yo man, I'm gonna have to deal with this, you need to get the f*ck out?
Male dancer Phillip: That is not correct.
Donaldson: In 2023 didn't you tell prosecutors he said "Yo man-
AUSA: Objection, not in evidence
Judge: Sustained. You can only use it to try to refresh his recollection
Combs' Donaldson: Read it to yourself. Does it refresh you?
Male dancer Phillip: I do not remember saying that, what I am reading here, get the f*ck out
AUSA: Objection!
Judge: Disregard that
Combs' Donaldson: Did you date a model named Melia?
Male dancer Phillip: Malia. And I didn't say I dated her, we were friends
Donaldson: You were with her and saw Cassie, with someone not Mr. Combs?
Phillip: Yes.
Donaldson: You told Melia you saw Cassie socially?
Male dancer Phillip: Yes.
Combs' Donaldson: You thought Cassie wanted to see you one on one, nothing to do with Sean Combs, right?
Phillip: I don't see what you mean.
Donaldson: In front of the Dream Hotel, that's what you thought?
Phillip: No.
Combs' Donaldson: You only saw her inebriated one time?
Phillip: I saw her passed out on the couch, Mr. Combs told me, I don't think it's going to happen today
Donaldson: The time with the other male, you rotated?
Phillip: Not correct.
Donaldson: You watched?
Yes
Combs' Donaldson: You said Mr. Combs was directing... But do you recall meeting the prosecutors on March 28, 2025 and telling them you didn't recall Mr. Combs giving directions about positions?
Phillip: Yes.
Donaldson: So he didn't direct?
Phillip: Incorrect.
Combs' Donaldson: You thought you were in a relationship with Cassie, didn't you
Male dancer Phillip: No.
Donaldson: You wanted to get alone with her, to date her?
Phillip: If she'd let me, I would have.
Donaldson: You'd get jealous of Mr. Combs?
Phillip: No
Combs' Donaldson: Did you not tell them that Mr. Combs would tell you, It's my turn-
AUSA: Objection! Can we have a sidebar?
[Sidebar]
Combs' Donaldson: Didn't you tell the Government that you would feel jealous because you liked Ms. Ventura romantically?
Phillip: I do not recall that.
Donaldson: Put up 35-70-
AUSA: Just for the parties.
Phillip: I do not recall that.
Donaldson: Nothing further
Judge: Re-direct.
AUSA: Please explain why you now say Mr. Combs' directed you
Phillips: He asked about positions. But Mr. Combs did tell us what to do, use baby oil.
AUSA: The timing of the handing of cash, how did the amount compare to your stripping services?
Phillip: $3800 more.
AUSA: How much were you paid to perform, when you could?
Phillip: $700 to five or six thousands of dollars.
AUSA: And when you couldn't perform?
Phillip: They paid me nothing then.
AUSA: Did Ms. Ventura call you after the Dream Hotel?
Yes
AUSA: Do you know who she was with?
Phillip: No.
AUSA: Did she answer your text messages?
Phillip: Never, almost.
AUSA: You said you wanted to hug her. Why?
Phillip: I could see she was afraid.
AUSA: What did you do?
Phillip: I could not engage. I was messed up
AUSA: What did Mr. Combs say to you?
Phillip: He said, It's time for you to go.
AUSA: In the Gramercy Hotel, who was in the room?
Phillip: Sean Combs, myself and Cassie.
AUSA: When she appeared to enjoy herself, was Sean Combs always in the room?
Phillip: Yes
AUSA: Was that the same man who called her b*tch and beat her?
Phillip: I did not see the beating, I presume-
Combs' Donaldson: Objection.
Judge: Sustained.
AUSA: You heard slapping
Phillip: Yes.
AUSA: Nothing further.
Judge: Re-cross?
Donaldson: Briefly
Combs' Donaldson: This document, do you see where you said, "I'm on the Upper West Side," she says, 10 West End Ave, hit me when you're there?
Phillip: Yes.
Donaldson: Do you see your text, Don't give a f*ck if I'm a little tipsy, I love y'all N-word?
Phillip: Yes
Combs' Donaldson: And that was after the beating?
Phillip: Yes.
Donaldson: Nothing further.
[Re-re-direct]
AUSA: Why did you write that?
Phillip: I wanted them to see I had no problem with what he had done, it keep it going
AUSA: No further questions.
AUSA: Sidebar before the next witness?
Judge: Yes
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Judge: Jurors, take a break, we have some issues to deal with.
Jurors leave.
Combs' Anna Maria Estevao: We'd like Ms. Ventura's husband to not be allowed in the courtroom during her testimony, we may need to call him as a witness later, depending on the direct
AUSA Johnson: I am not sure how Mr. Fine's testimony would be relevant.
Judge: Ms. Geragos?
Combs' Teny Geragos: Give me 15 seconds.. If he wants to come in to the courtroom today, but we ask that he be excluded when the testimony gets into post 2018
AUSA Johnson: In my initial examination I will ask about post 2018, but only about devices.
Judge: Ms. Geragos?
Combs' Teny Geragos: That's OK.
Judge: We'll be back in a couple of minutes
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All rise!
AUSA Johnson: The Government calls Cassandra Ventura.
[She takes the stand, extremely pregnant]
AUSA Johnson: How old are you?
Ventura: 38.
AUSA: What is you work?
Ventura: Musician and entertainer.
AUSA: How long were you with Sean?
Ventura: 10 years
AUSA Johnson: Did you get in arguments?
Ventura: Yes, it would result in violence, dragging
AUSA: What else did he do?
Ventura: Stomp me in the head if I was down
AUSA: How frequently was he violent?
Ventura: Too frequently. I would get black eyes and bruises
AUSA Johnson: Let me show you a video
[LA hotel elevator lobby shown]
AUSA: Where is this?
Ventura: The Inter Continental in Los Angeles. It was after freak-off.
AUSA: What does that entail?
Ventura: The hiring of an escort, setting it up
AUSA: How did you feel when he first asked for it?
Ventura: Confused, nervous, I wanted to make him happy
AUSA: Did you agree to one when he first proposed one?
Ventura: Yes. Then there were more. It wasn't something I wanted to do, at least not that frequently
Ventura: I didn't know what No could turn into
AUSA: What do you mean?
Ventura: Making him angry.
AUSA: What were you afraid would happen if you said No?
Ventura: Though time he had blackmail materials...
AUSA: What did you give the Government?
Ventura: Laptops
AUSA: I've handed up GX-B, do you recognize it?
Ventura: Yes, I've reviewed this drive. It has communication and documents pertaining to Mr. Combs.
AUSA: Did you review photos on it?
Ventura: Yes.
AUSA: What's this photo?
Ventura: Me in 2004, with Kerry Morgan
AUSA: When did you sign with Bad Boy Records?
Ventura: 2006. It was a ten album deal.
AUSA: Did you release any after late 2006?
Ventura: No.
AUSA: Who's in this photo?
Ventura: Kim Porter, she was Sean's X from before me and the mother of his children
AUSA: Where did you celebrate your birthday, in this photo?
Ventura: In Las Vegas. Kerry Morgan was there too. We are out on his patio on my 21st birthday, VMAs
AUSA: What happened then?
Ventura: Sean kissed me in the bathroom. I ran back to my hotel. I told Kerry
AUSA: When you got back to New York?
Ventura: I'd visit him in the Trump Hotel in Columbus Circle. His apartment was being renovated.
AUSA: What were you going with your music career?
Ventura: Trying to come up with a concept. Sean called all of the shots
AUSA: What is the age difference between you and Sean?
Ventura: 17 years.
AUSA: How did you feel when Sean invited you to hotels?
Ventura: Nervous. Excitement, we're going to talk about music.... He introduced me to oral sex. I didn't understand it.
AUSA: Did you visit Sean in Miami?
Ventura: Yes. I went with Kerry Morgan and Dallas Austin.
AUSA: What did you & Sean do together?
Ventura: Sexual intercourse. He gave me Blue Dolphin ecstasy on a boat.
AUSA: Had you once before taken Ecstacy unintentionally?
Yes
AUSA: How did you take Ecstasy unintentionally?
Ventura: It was in Gatorade.
AUSA: When you took it intentionally with Sean, how did it feel?
Ventura: Like, rolling.
AUSA: At the time, what did you think?
Ventura: That we were spending a lot of time together
Ventura: I thought we were monogamous.
AUSA: Was it made public?
Ventura: No. I was his artist. Also, his family, his children.
AUSA: Who was linked to him publicly?
Ventura: Kim Porter.
AUSA: How did Sean treat you at this time?
Ventura: We had fun
AUSA: What was his lifestyle like?
Ventura: He had all these assistants. He could get things done. He traveled quite a bit.
AUSA: What's this photo?
Ventura: Sean and I at a strip club in NY, like 2007 or 2008, Halloween
AUSA: How did Sean's moods vary?
Day to day
AUSA: When it swung, could you describe it?
Ventura: Anger, zoning out
AUSA: How did it impact you?
Ventura: Greatly. The next thing I knew I was getting hit in the face. There was also psychological abuse. He'd tell me to watch my mouth, change my face
AUSA: How would he keep tabs on you?
Ventura: We didn't live far apart. He'd send security to come find me. Or a trusted assistant.
AUSA: Like who?
Ventura: David James, Kristina Khorram...
AUSA: Was your relationship exclusive?
Ventura: No.
AUSA: Did you see other men?
Ventura: Yes.
AUSA: Did Sean see other women?
Ventura: Yes. He said, I am Puff Daddy. I was insanely jealous.
AUSA: Did you move to LA with him?
Ventura: Yes. He wanted to be close to his kids who were there.
AUSA: Where did you live in LA?
Ventura: 875 Comstock Avenue [Wilshire Corridor Condos]
AUSA: How tall was the building?
Ventura: No more than 17 floors.
AUSA: Where did Sean live?
Ventura: 200 South Mapleton. Sean would use a golf cart to get back and forth
AUSA: Who paid your rent in LA?
Ventura: Sean, except when I had the house in Studio City.
AUSA: Why'd you pay then?
Ventura: I could afford it then. And I wanted to have some control. It was accepted.
AUSA: By whom?
Ventura: Sean.
AUSA: How many songs did you write while with Sean?
Ventura: 100s. Most were never released. Some got leaked on the Internet. Some on mix tapes.
AUSA: How many albums on your deal were not released?
Ventura: Nine.
AUSA: Did you get paid for them?
Ventura: No.
Ventura: The freak offs became a job. There was no time to do anything else but do them then try to recover.
AUSA: How much time in your week would freak offs take?
Ventura: The longest was four days, significant periods of time.
Judge: We'll break here
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1:16 pm - they're back.
Judge: Welcome back.
AUSA: Who was your manager at Bad Boy Records?
Cassie Ventura: James Cruz.
AUSA: What did he tell you?
Ventura: That he was managing me with one hand tied behind his back - he had to check everything with Sean
AUSA: How did you make money, if your records weren't being released?
Ventura: I did hosting parties, when Sean approved them.
AUSA: What comments did Sean make about your physical appearance?
Ventura: That I looked too Mexican with my hair like that
AUSA: How did he like your nails?
Ventura: White. French tipped.
AUSA: Hair?
Ventura: It varied. I shaved my head in 2009.
AUSA: Your body?
Ventura: He told me to work out, prepare for the freak offs.
AUSA: How did you feel about his comments?
Ventura: It varied
AUSA: What else did Sean pay for?
Ventura: Cars
AUSA: Did he give you cash?
Ventura: Yes. But he would take things away, depending on how he felt.
AUSA: What else would he take away?
Ventura: My self confidence.
AUSA: Who would take things away?
Ventura: Staff
Ventura: I assume staff
Defense: Objection.
Judge: Jury will disregard that last answer.
AUSA: Who look your laptop and phone?
Ventura: Security.
AUSA: How long would they be gone for?
Ventura: How ever long I was being punished for
AUSA: How often were you in contact with Sean's staff?
Ventura: Daily.
AUSA: Who are in these photos?
Ventura: Kristina Khorram and Ms. Fletcher.
AUSA: What did you call Ms. Khorram?
Ventura: K.K.
AUSA: And who's this?
Ventura: D-Roc. He was Sean's security
AUSA: How frequently were you in Sean's residences?
Ventura: All the time.
AUSA: Did they all have safes?
Ventura: Yes.
AUSA: What did you observe in them?
Ventura: Cash, jewelry, cameras and video tapes, guns - in NY, LA and Miami, and Alpine New Jersey.
AUSA: Do you recall an incident between Sean and Suge Knight?
Ventura: Yes. We were having a freak-off in LA. D-Roc came in and said Suge was down at a diner. Sean drove over there.
AUSA: What was your reaction?
Ventura: I cried, said don't do something stupid.
AUSA: Were you ever handed a gun?
Ventura: Yes. We were doing to a club in downtown LA. We'd taken mushrooms, I was high. I was told to put the gun in my bag. I was freaking out.
AUSA: Who was present?
Ventura: A driver, security, and Sean.
Ventura: Another time I saw them get dressed and grab guns and leave in an SUV.
AUSA: How long were they gone?
Ventura: 30 or 40 minutes.
AUSA: Let me switch topics. How soon into the relationship did Sean mention voyeurism to you?
Ventura: 1st 6 months or a year
AUSA: How old were you?
Ventura: 22.
AUSA: Why did you agree to try a freak off?
Ventura: Good question. I wanted to make him happy.
AUSA: Where was the first freak off?
Ventura: One of his homes in Los Angeles.
AUSA: 2A-627 who is this?
Ventura: The 1st escort
AUSA: Do you know his name?
Ventura: No.
AUSA: I'll call him the "First Escort." Were you aware he was paid?
Ventura: Yes. To dance and to have intercourse with me.
AUSA: What drugs did you take?
Ventura: Ecstasy and alcohol. Before things started
AUSA: Did you disguise your appearance?
Ventura: Sean said we would disguise ourselves. I wore a masquerade mask.
AUSA: What was a session in a freak off?
Ventura: Until the escort finished.
AUSA: How many session with First Escort?
Ventura: At least two
AUSA: How did you feel?
Ventura: I was high. So I didn't feel much. Dirty and confusion. And that he was happy with me.
AUSA: Why did you feel you couldn't say no?
Ventura: I didn't want to make him angry, or upset after he'd shared this part of himself with me
AUSA: How frequent did the freak offs become?
Ventura: Weekly for a consistent amount of years.
AUSA: When was your last one?
Ventura: 2017, 2018
AUSA: How long were you awake during the freak offs?
Ventura: I never slept. I took drugs. Ecstasy and Molly, cocaine
AUSA: Do you recall all of the freak offs?
Ventura: That would be impossible.
AUSA: Did you want to stop?
Ventura: Yes. I was humiliated. I didn't have those words then. I couldn't talk to anyone about it [sobs]
AUSA: Did you tell him you didn't want to?
A: Yes
Ventura: I brought it up gently. I didn't want him to just do it with someone else.
AUSA: Were you able to express your concerns to him?
Defense: Objection - leading.
Judge: Re-phrase.
AUSA: Why would you talk to him gently?
Ventura: I didn't want him to be angry
AUSA: What is this?
Ventura: Email between me and Sean.
AUSA: What did you call him?
Ventura: Pop Pop.
AUSA: Why?
Ventura: He asked me what I called my grandfather... I did it but now I think it was disrespectful.
AUSA: What did you write?
Ventura: I really need to f*ck.
AUSA: Why did you write that?
Ventura: Because I wanted to be with him.
AUSA: I'll read your messages, you read yours
AUSA/Sean: You don't wanna do any more?
Ventura: I'm so predictable
AUSA: What did you think this meant?
Ventura: That he knew I didn't want to do the freak offs anymore. But then I backpedaled.
AUSA: Why?
Ventura: To not make him angry. He could be violent.
AUSA: Where's you get your outfit?
Ventura: Pleasure Chest, elsewhere
AUSA: Did you get piercings?
Ventura: Yes, Sean came with me.
AUSA: Which of his homes did you have freak outs in?
Ventura: Miami, New York
AUSA: What other homes?
Ventura: My homes, all but Studio City.
AUSA: In what other cities?
Ventura: Atlanta, Ibiza
AUSA: In what hotels in NY did you have freak offs?
Ventura: Trump, Gramercy...
AUSA: Inter Continental?
Ventura: 44th Street, yes.
AUSA: Elsewhere?
Ventura: Mandarin Oriental, Fontainebleau
AUSA: What names were used?
Ventura: Jackie Star, I used, Frank Black
AUSA: What supplies for freak offs?
Ventura: Astroglide, baby oil, condoms.
AUSA: Who brought the supplies?
Ventura: Security, Sean's assistants.
AUSA: Which brand of baby oil?
Ventura: Johnson's
AUSA: How was it used?
Ventura: Sean said, you need to be glistening
AUSA: Where there freak offs where you ran out of baby oil?
Defense: Objection, Your Honor, this is - Irrelevant.
AUSA: You also mentioned Astroglide.
Defense: Same objection, irrelevant
Judge: Sidebar!
AUSA: We were just talking about Astroglide. How was it used?
Ventura: Lubricant.
AUSA: If you ran out, what?
Ventura: We'd call either staff or the bell desk, give them a tip
AUSA: Were the freak offs lit?
Ventura: Initially it was candle, strong smelling, Glade
AUSA: Any other use of candle wax?
Ventura: A few times poured on my body.
AUSA: Who set the temperature of the room?
Ventura: Sean.... I was expected to do freak offs on my period.
AUSA: Did you want to do that?
Ventura; No.
AUSA: Did you want to be urinated on?
Defense: Objection!
Judge: Grounds?
Defense: Asked and answered.
Judge: Overruled.
Ventura: No I did not want it.
AUSA: How did it feel?
Ventura: It was disgusting, it was too much. I choked. No one could think I wanted it
AUSA: Why were you choking?
Ventura: Too much urine in my mouth.
AUSA: Who else urinated on you?
Ventura: Sean.
AUSA: Did you want Sean to urinate on you?
Ventura: I didn't want anyone to urinate on me.
AUSA: How often did it happen?
Ventura: Often enough
AUSA: Which hotel charged the most for damage to the room?
Ventura: The Inter Continental in New York. They redecorated the whole room for ridiculous money.
AUSA: Back to the urination-
Judge: Ms. Johnson, only a few more questions.
AUSA: Why didn't you say no?
Ventura: It was obvious I didn't want to be on the ground being urinated on by two men.
AUSA: Where did you find escorts?
Ventura: Initially Craigslist
Judge: We'll break here
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Judge Subramanian: Ready? All rise!
AUSA: Ms. Ventura, in what cities did you respond to ads on Criagslist?
Ventura: In New York.
AUSA: Did you respond to ads on Backpage as well?
Ventura: Yes.
AUSA Johnson: Who directed you to communicate with escorts?
Defense: Objection!
AUSA: Who if anyone-
Defense: Same objection - assumes a fact not in evidence.
AUSA: Did you ever reach out to escort independently?
Ventura: No.
AUSA: Did you ever not use an escort who arrived?
Ventura: One couldn't perform so Sean sent him on.
AUSA: What was a safe escort?
Ventura: Not a cop, and someone who'd not run and tell everyone about their experience with us.
AUSA: Why not a cop?
Ventura: I learned this whole situation was not legal-
Defense: Objection!
Judge; Jury will disregard that last answer.
AUSA: How did cash get there?
Judge: Security or he brought it himself.
[Ventura: Judge: Security or he brought it himself.]
AUSA: The escort Dave, do you know his real name?
Ventura: Clayton Howard.
AUSA: Who is this? [Photo shown to witness]
Ventura: Daniel.
AUSA: What service did you use?
Ventura: A dancer service
AUSA Johnson: Do you recognize Jules?
Ventura: Yes.
AUSA: In what cities did you have freak offs with Jules?
Ventura: NY, LA, Vegas.
AUSA: Do you know his last name?
Ventura: No.
AUSA: Who's this?
Ventura: I knew him as The Punisher
AUSA: Did you use drugs at every freak off?
Ventura: Yes. I need to disassociate and become emotionless.
AUSA: Who else used drugs at freak offs?
Ventura: Sean did. Sometimes the escort.
AUSA: What other drugs did you use:
Ventura: Special K, GHB, mushrooms
AUSA: I'll read Sean's parts of this email, you read you
Ventura: "When should i take the thing? When will you be there?"
AUSA: Pausing you there, what did you mean?
Ventura: Drugs.
AUSA/Sean: I took mine. I'm flying
AUSA: What does he mean?
Ventura: He's high
AUSA: Why did you take more drugs?
Ventura: To not be present with the experience.
AUSA: Why?
Ventura: Because it was something I hated
AUSA: How did you react to Ecstasy and MDMA?
Ventura: It could make me vomit.
AUSA: What would he say?
Ventura: To continue
AUSA: Did you want to continue to have intercourse when you wanted to vomit?
Ventura: No.
AUSA: How does GHB make you feel?
Ventura: Drunk. Tipsy.
AUSA: Cocaine?
Ventura: Makes my heart race. I'm not a huge fan.
AUSA: Mushrooms?
Ventura: The walls come alive
Judge: We'll take a break.
[If like and can, support: paypal.com/paypalme/matth… 
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buymeacoffee.com/innercitypress 
w/ extras, like on X for Subscribers: matthewrussellleeicp.substack.com
w/ docs: patreon.com/MatthewRussell…
[4:15 pm, Cassie Ventura is back, jury is back]
Judge: You may continue.
AUSA Johnson: When drugs ran out, how did you know who to reach out to?
Ventura: Sean would tell me...
AUSA: During the session, how would you know to move to the next step?
A: Sean.
AUSA: What would happen after the escort finished on you?
Ventura: Sean would want it put on his body in the next room.
AUSA: Did you do that?
Ventura: I did.
AUSA: Where?
Ventura: Usually on his nipples.
AUSA: Did you want to do that?
Ventura: No.
AUSA: How did you feel?
Ventura: I was an object, being heavily objectified by men... Sometimes he would watch by Facetime.
AUSA: Were some session recorded on your devices?
Ventura: Because they were there.
AUSA: If you saw them on your device what would you do?
Ventura: I would delete them.
AUSA: Why?
Ventura: They were disgusting. I never wanted anyone to see them.
AUSA: Were Sean's devices used sometimes?
Ventura: Yes. I asked him to delete them.
AUSA: Did he?
Ventura: I don't know
AUSA: Did you ever leave a freak off before it was over?
Ventura: Yes. At the Century City Inter Continental... I finally had a premiere coming up and I didn't want to mess it up. But Sean hit me.
AUSA: At what point did Sean hit you?
Ventura: Between sessions
AUSA: What happened next?
Ventura: I got to the elevator. Next thing I knew I was thrown to the ground.
AUSA: Who threw you down?
Ventura: Sean. He grabbed me by my neck and my hoodie.
AUSA: Let me show you the video
[Hotel hallway video played]
AUSA: What are you doing?
Ventura: Trying to use the hotel phone.
AUSA: What is Sean doing?
Ventura: Taking my phone and my bag.
Judge: We'll break for the day
If like and can, support: paypal.com/paypalme/matth… 
venmo.com/u/Matthew-Lee-… 
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w/ extras, like on X for Subscribers: matthewrussellleeicp.substack.com
w/ docs: patreon.com/MatthewRussell…
[With jury gone]
Judge: What about pool reporters seeing th videos?
AUSA: We oppose that, and Jane does too.
Judge: I am provisionally denying any pool viewing, that's my reading of Maxwell
[Maximum Maxwell book: amazon.com/gp/product/B09…

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More from @innercitypress

Jul 30
OK - now at Liner Freedman v. Blake Lively, case about Lively's subpoena on Bryan Freedman's firm which represents Justin Baldoni (and is trying to quash the subpoena). Inner City Press wrote the book  and will live tweet, thread belowamazon.com/dp/B0DWC8BH55
2:10 pm
All rise!
Judge: I'll hear on the motion to quash the subpoena.
For Liner Freedman, Ellyn S Garofalo: The Lively parties cite cases where opposition counsel was involved in resolved lawsuits or were involved in the matters are issue. Not the case here
Liner Freedman's Garofalo: Here, they allege an "untraceable" smear campaign. Whether the Liner firm has any relevant documents about communications with content creators is in dispute-
Judge: One might say if there's a dispute, there can be discovery, if relevant
Read 32 tweets
Jul 30
OK - now in US v. Roman Storm, closing arguments matthewrussellleeicp.substack.com/p/extra-in-rom… Unsealing bid in storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.usco… Inner City Press put out book on the case, Crypto Tornado amazon.com/dp/B0FHXTCNCR & will live tweet, thread below Image
[After yet another sidebar, Storm's lawyer Axel is talking to the prosecutors. At defense table, Klein tells Patton (who's doing the closing), No pressure. They laugh.
Still waiting for kick-off
9:35 am
Jury entering!
Judge: We begin with the Government.
AUSA Gianforti: You have had a front row seat to the world of international crime. Roman Storm knew what he was doing and he made millions of dollars. He found the real money was not in privacy but crime
Read 58 tweets
Jul 29
OK - now in US v. Roman Storm, his Day 4, US trying to keep Chainanalysis out matthewrussellleeicp.substack.com/p/extra-in-rom… Sealing opposed after ww3.ca2.uscourts.gov/decisions/isys… Inner City Press put out book on the case, Crypto Tornado amazon.com/dp/B0FHXTCNCR & will live tweet, thread below Image
AUSA Rehn: They want to put in that Chainanalysis ran a relayer and also was a government contractor - but of course there are government contractors, reputable ones, that have engaged in criminal activity
Judge: I'm not sure "reputable" is coming in
Storm's lawyer Klein: We should be allowed to put a face on the relayers
Judge: But you are putting them on as a custodian
Klein: This was a decentralized protocol, they claim it ws all one giant thing working together.
Judge: I don't think that's their argument
Read 44 tweets
Jul 28
OK - now in US v. Roman Storm, defense case Day 3, Edman - & Melekan who opposed Tornado Cash sanctions. v. Agent George patreon.com/posts/crypto-t… Inner City Press put out book about the case, Crypto Tornado amazon.com/dp/B0FHXTCNCR & will live tweet, thread below Image
Judge Failla: Defense, call your next witness.
It's expert Matthew Edman of NAXO.
Storm's lawyer Axel: Have you testified in the SDNY?
Edman: Yes. And I did a written submission for the US prosecutors in the Northern District of California.
[Long intro to jury]
Storm's lawyer Axel: If the Tornado Storm founder like Mr. Storm were hacked today could the hackers use the credential to steal money from the pools?
Edman: No. It's immutable.
Axel: Did you listen about the incidents?
Edman: Yes. They were after immutability
Read 25 tweets
Jul 25
OK - now in US v. Roman Storm, defense case Day 2, Melekan who opposed Tornado Cash sanctions. Inner City Press put out book about the case matthewrussellleeicp.substack.com/p/extra-in-rom… Crypto Tornado amazon.com/dp/B0FHXTCNCR & will live tweet, thread below Image
[Before jury in]
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Judge: How did this happen?
AUSA: Agent George only recently gave us the information. We don't think his testimony on this should be stricken
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Judge: I will have to think about this.
Storm's lawyer Axel: There was not a motion that all facts in the case must end in August 2022
Read 18 tweets
Jul 24
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Storm's lawyer Axel: In your review, were there transactions not related to Torn?
IRS-CI Agent George: Yes, Ma'am.
Axel: You found USDT coming out of the Binance account?
George: Yes.
Axel: To a pseudonymous wallet?
George: Right. I used communications from DOJ
Now: US summary witness O'Sullivan
AUSA: Mr. O'Sullivan, please look at the binder in front of you
Judge: Is this an exhibit?
AUSA: For now it is just a demonstrative... Mr. O'Sullivan, in the chart in front of you, are the dates plotted and are they accurate?
Yes
Read 55 tweets

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