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Judge: Mr. Agnifilo, I thought you were going to take his off my plate
Combs' Agnifilo: I will keep trying. This is the main witness, she stands by herself. That said, we have been doing this all night, until 3 in the morning. We flagged exhibits for them

AUSA Slavik: There are two dozen exhibits that the government has objections to, they are listed in the chart
Judge: Just the ones in the chart?
[Again, these judicial documents are not going into the public docket. Not the case in many other SDNY trials]

Judge: Bring the jury in.
[Jury enters]
Combs' lawyer Estavao: Ms. Ventura, you loved Mr. Combs, correct?
Ventura: I did.
Estavao: For 11 years, you took care of him?
Ventura: In some ways.
Estavao: You called him larger than life?
Ventura: I did.

Combs' Estavao: Others called him Diddy or Puff Daddy, but you called him Sean, right?
Ventura: Yes...
Estavao: You knew a version of him the rest of the world couldn't see, right?
AUSA: Objection!
Judge: Overruled.
Ventura: In ways.

Combs' Estavao: You kept coming back to him for 11 years?
Ventura: I wouldn't say "coming back."
Estavao: You believed he loved you too.
Ventura: I did believe he loved me too.
Estavao: So when he cheated on you it hurt?
Ventura: Not every time

Combs' Estavao: Bring up this Defense Exhibit-
AUSA: Objection. Not in evidence.
Judge: That's true - this is not in evidence.
Estavao: Ms. Ventura, read it just to yourself... Why did you send this message?
Ventura: To let him know I was going to dinner

Combs' Estavao: What was going on when these messages were sent?
Ventura: I'm not sure.
Estavao: What was going on in your relationship then?
Ventura: It was early. We were loving.
Estavao: I offer it
AUSA: Objection, being offered for the truth.
Overruled

Combs' Estevao: Please read
Ventura: I wrote, "I love you, smiley face, I'll fly anywhere for you, I love you, Cass."
Estevao: This 2009 email
AUSA: Objection, hearsay
Judge: Ms. Estevao, ask more questions.
Estevao: From Blackberry what is BG?
Ventura: Babygirl

Combs' Estevao: What did you write?
Ventura: "You hungry, Pop Pop?"
Estavao: And Mr. Combs wrote to you, "We are so in love we don't do anything else." How long had you been seeing each others?
Ventura: Like two and a half years

Combs' Estevao: Please read this, 1364.
Ventura: "I haven't talked to you at all, you don't even try. You rush me off the phone. I'm really hurt. I don't need your money, I need some attention."
Estevao: You wanted your special time with Mr. Combs?
Ventura: Yes

Combs' Estevao: You testified that you told him, I love you so much you make me a better woman
Ventura: I definitely wrote those messages
Estevao: You wrote, I can't wait until we have a baby of our own - you knew that he had six children at the time?
Ventura: Yes

Combs' Estevao: So now, these messages about freak off... When you say, you know it doesn't matter to me, you mean, weekend or weekday, either is fine?
Ventura: That's what it says.
Estevao: Mr. Combs says, Maybe we can call Jules, can you do it.
Yes.

Combs' Estevao: This was an explicit message from you about the anticipated upcoming freak off?
AUSA Johnson: Objection!

Judge: We will take a recess
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10:48 am - they're back
Judge: Ms. Estevao, you may proceed.
Combs' Estevao: Ms. Ventura, this is from Mr. Combs to you - you respond with an extremely explicit message, right?
Ventura: Yes.
Estevao: This is two days after the planning of a freak off, right?
Yes

Combs' Estevao: He said, I want to see - how did you reply?
Ventura: "I can't wait either."
Estevao: You wrote, "I feel like I want to f*ck," right?
Ventura: That's what it says.
Estevao: Mr. Combs says, I'm so horny I can't concentrate - what do you say?

Ventura: That I'll go to Duane Reade for candles and then set up the room.
Combs' Estevao: Did you understand that he was going to take another video of you?
AUSA: Objection! Speculation!
Judge: Ms. Estevao, you can move on.
Estevao: You ask, any pills on you
Yes

Combs' Estevao: What pills were you taking then?
Ventura: Opiates.
Estevao: You deleted videos on your devices, right?
Ventura: Yes.
Estevao: What did you write?
Ventura: That I need to feel this this is my husband, the only one who will see this side of me

Combs' Estevao: Were you afraid that Mr. Combs was only seeing you for sex in this way?
Ventura: That was a concern.
Estevao: You still were not public in your relationship with him?
Ventura: Correct.
Estevao: Were freak offs important?
Ventura: Integral to us

Combs' Estevao: Who was at your 21st birthday party in Las Vegas?
Ventura: Britney Spears, Dallas Austin.
Estevao: How did you get them there?
Ventura: They came for Sean.
Estevao: You're very beautiful and charming
Ventura: Thank you
Estevao: It's true

Combs' Estevao: Who is Tommy Mottola?
Ventura: A well known producer.
Estevao: You were an up and coming star?
Ventura: I guess you could say that.
Estevao: After you signed with Bad Boy, things were still platonic?
Ventura: Yes

Combs' Estevao: You had rough performance?
Ventura: 106 and Park, it did not go well for me.
Estevao: How did he help you after that?
Ventura: We did a YouTube video, he said, Everybody makes mistakes.
Estevao: What was wrong?
Ventura: I couldn't hear myself

Combs' Estevao: You were dating Mr. Leslie - how much older than you was he?
Ventura: Ten years.
Estevao: Then you traveled to Miami with Mr. Combs - the flier of the event was just a cover, to spend time with Mr. Combs, right?
Ventura: That's true.

Combs' Estevao: You had a tattoo of Mr. Leslie's initials on your body, right?
Ventura: Yes.
Estevao: How many tattoos did you have then?
AUSA: Objection. Relevance.
Judge: Overruled. But let's keep it moving
Ventura: 3
Estevao: The one on your arm?
A: No Regrets

Combs' Estevao: Mr. Combs taught you how to do oral sex?
Ventura: He did.
Estevao: Look at this. Tell me when you're ready... Can you read it?
Ventura: You can read it. It's making me laugh. It's from 2007.
Estevao: You wrote, I feel protected, you are sweet

Combs' Estevao: You wrote, I see that Kerry is better fitting for you. I'm hurt that you think I'm malicious. You're very important to me. X. Cass.
Ventura [laughs]
Estevao: What were you trying to convey?
Ventura: It's like a journal entry.

Combs' Estevao: You discuss Kerry Morgan - did you think Mr. Combs was attracted to her?
Ventura: There was a point in the very beginning.
Estevao: Did that complication carry on in your relationship?
Ventura: Not really. Kerry was just always with us

Combs' Estevao: I'd like to start asking about freak offs. Sometimes you wore a wig and a mask?
Ventura: Yes.
Estevao: The general public did not know -
AUSA Johnson: Objection!
Judge: Rephrase.
Estevao: No one knew until November 2023, in the public
Yes

Combs' Estevao: Fair to say his career was ruined after your lawsuit?
Ventura: I could understand that.
Estevao: Let's read these messages. Mr. Combs wrote, When are you on your period?
Ventura: No now.
Estevao: "What you be thinking about when you horny?"

Combs' Estevao: Ms. Ventura, if you don't want to read the answers, I can read them.
Ventura: Thank you.
Estevao: The o has lots of ooooo's after them, right?
Ventura: Yes.
Estevao: After a freak off you'd make love with Mr. Combs?
Ventura: Yes

Combs' Estevao: Your period, Mr. Combs is asking you when you're on it, right?
Ventura: Yep.
Estevao: He's asking in the context of when to meet up and have sex?
Ventura: Looks like it.
Estevao: Sometimes you watched him with a female?
Ventura: 2 or 3 times

Combs' Estevao: Did you talk with Mr. Combs about the swinger's lifestyle?
Ventura: That no one talks about it.
Estevao: Were you keeping freak offs secret from your friends?
Ventura: Yes.
Estevao: His assistants help him?
Ventura: With everything

Combs' Estevao: You would remember if an assistant came in during one of your sessions with an escort?
Ventura: Not necessarily. I was high.
Estevao: So you don't remember much.
Ventura: I had my privacy invaded a lot during that relationship.

Combs' Estevao: This is from July 2012. You say to Mr. Combs, "I'm horny and bored." This was after a freak off, right?
Ventura: There are a lot for texts here
[Said to be 25 pages - where will defense exhibits ostensibly entered into evidence be available?]

AUSA Johnson: I would ask that the witness be allowed to read the entire document
Judge: How many pages?
Combs' Estevao: Eight.
AUSA: We don't have a copy for the witness
Estevao: We'll show it on the screen
[But not in the public gallery]

Combs' Estevao: You said Mr. Combs often put you down. But he also sent you encouragement and called you a queen, right?
Ventura: Yes.
[Sidebar]
Estevao: What would trigger Mr. Combs' incessant calls to you?
Ventura: Anger, doubt about where I was

Combs' Estevao: If he suspected you of cheating, he'd call you incessantly?
Ventura: That was one of the reasons.
Estevao: Because he thought-
AUSA Johnson: Objection!
Judge: That's sustained.

Combs' Estevao: Do you believe Mr. Combs has good taste?
Ventura: I think he does.
Estevao: He's had an impact on fashion?
Ventura: People like his style. Sean John.
Estevao: Did you consult with him on your look?
Ventura: Sometimes I got advice I didn't ask for

Combs' Estevao: He still ran his companies even while having all these freak offs, right?
Ventura: He did.
Estevao: What was he addicted to?
Ventura: Success (laughs)
Estevao: What substances? Opiates?
Ventura: Yes. He told me. And I saw it.

Combs' Estevao: Did Mr. Combs' mood depend on whether or not he was withdrawing from opiates?
Ventura: He was more irritable, I would say.
Estevao: What other drugs was Mr. Combs' addicted to
AUSA: Objection. No foundation
Judge: I'll ask if I want the grounds.

Judge: Sustained. Re-phrase.
Combs' Estevao: What was his drug of choice?
Ventura: Ecstasy or MDMA.
Estevao: Opiates daily?
Ventura: When he was doing them.
Estevao: You saw him withdraw?
Ventura: Yes.

Judge: We'll break
[Juror leaves; witness leaves]
Judge: Ms. Estevao, where are we in your cross?
Estevao: We have a lot of exhibits. Let me confer over lunch.
Judge: Non-responsive. Will you finish today or early tomorrow?
Agnifilo: To the end of tomorrow

Agnifilo: We might not be able to finish tomorrow. This is the most important witnesses.
Judge: For months we said, this witness had to be off the stand by the end of the week.
AUSA: Our direct was a day and a half. Limit them to that.

Judge: Show Ms. Ventura the exhibits in advance. Maybe just ask her question, rather than these exhibits. We have a timing concern.
Agnifilo: They called two witnesses to start. That wasn't our choice. It's a critically important witness.
Judge: Streamline things

Judge: We'll break
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1:10 pm they're back
Judge: Ms. Estevao, has the witness had a chance to review the exhibits?
AUSA: They are lengthy.
Judge: We'll do the best that we can. I was told this witness would be off the stand by the end of the week. We let the jury go early yesterday

Judge: If there's something that really needs to be done on cross after lunch tomorrow, I may allow it. We have ot leave time for re-direct. This witness is being responsive.

Ventura enters, jury enters.
Combs' Estevao: Let's turn to GX 411.
AUSA Johnson: It's not in evidence yet.
Estevao: So B-414, page 3 and 4. You wrote, "I love our FOs, when we both want it." You felt that?
Ventura: Loving FOs were just words at that point.

Combs' Estevao: Mr. Combs wrote to you, I want to freak out right now. And you wrote that you wanted it too: "LOL me too."
Ventura: I texted more than that
Estevao: But you did text that to him. Mr. Combs' wrote to you, Jules is available, if you are into it.

Combs' Estevao: You could have said yes or no, and you said, Love you.
Ventura: There was no yes or no.
Estevao: Bring up B-420 on page 2. Mr. Combs wrote, Do I have your permission to set up freaky fun. You wrote, Ovulation.
Ventura: Yes.

Combs' Estevao: Here, what do you say?
Ventura: I asked, Which hotel - I must have called him in between. I don't want to assume anything.
Estevao: He said Montage, you said, you could also go to Pleasure Chest. What would you get there?
Ventura: Sexual supplies

Combs' Estevao: What supplies?
Ventura: Lubricants, outfits.
Estevao: He says, Have fun, impress me. You say, OK. He says, Can we kiss a lot. What do you say?
Venture: Yes.
Estevao: You wrote, I left the iPad
Ventura: I don't know whose iPad this meant

Combs' Estevao: Mr. Combs' wrote, I've be there right after my session. This was in June 2017. Do you remember arguments you were having at that time?
Ventura: Not specifically.
Estevao: Here you say, the game starts at 10 pm, no breaking character to 8 am

Ventura: This was a game a friend of mine told me, a way to rekindle your romance
Combs' Estevao: By doing something different in the bedroom
Ventura: It's a whole getting into character thing
Estevao: Mr. Combs says, let's get some outfits and go to sex club

Combs' Estevao: Mr. Combs wrote, Surprise package coming from out of state.. Why can't I reach you? What do you say?
Ventura: I was getting my brows done.
Estevao: Did you come to know Mr. Combs was leaving to freak off to go see Kim Porter?
Ventura: Yes

Combs' Estevao: How did you find out about Gina - how did you feel? Did it upset you?
Ventura: Yes.
Estevao: It prompted arguments?
Ventura: It did.
Estevao: And he thought you were not faithful - what were his reactions?
Ventura: It was scary

Combs' Estevao: Mr. Combs wrote to you, let's do something different in NYC this weekend... FYI Dave hit me. What does hit mean?
Ventura: Reached out.
Estevao: And Daniel contacted you. Did this mean you might have a freak off?
Ventura: Might.

Combs' Estevao: He tells you, You better put me on VIP vibrate alarm or something. He's frustrated you don't answer his texts fast enough?
Ventura: Right.
Estevao: You tell him to come to NYC understanding there could be a freak out
Ventura: Maybe

Combs' Estevao: You also saw the Book of Mormon?
Ventura: Yes (laughs)
Estevao: Masked Pleasure, if that a sex club?
Ventura: I would assume.
Estevao: He asks Are you ready for tonight. What do you say?
Ventura: Yes, I just have to get some things

Ventura: This is not about what I felt, right? Because you are skipping over a lot here...
Combs' Estevao: What did you write?
Ventura: As much as you think you're Bruce Willis, you're not. Your kids were babies when we started dating

Combs' Estevao: If you saw him on social media on vacation with, it was heartbreaking?
Ventura: It could be. I was seven years in....
Estevao: And what about this, about Gina... You wrote, I don't want to be a side piece. But I'll treat you as a king

Combs' Estevao: You wanted to be the main girlfriend?
Ventura: In 2013, yes.
Estevao: You saw social media posts of Mr. Combs with other girlfriends and got angry, right?
Ventura: Can I speak? I was jealous of certain situations.

Combs' Estevao: Did there come a time he suspected you were in a relationship with someone in the industry - Mr. Mescudi?
Ventura: Yes.
Estevao: Mr. Combs thought it could be good for your career if you collaborated with Mr. Cudi - I mean, Mr. Mescudi
Ventura: Yes

Combs' Estevao: Why did you begin your relationship with Mr. Mescudi?
Ventura: We enjoyed each other's company.
Estevao: You were in a relationship with Mr. Combs?
Ventura: We were on a break.
Estevao: But you were still doing freak offs with him?
Ventura: Yes

Combs' Estevao: After Mr. Combs found out by going through your phone, you went to see him - you knew he was upset, he previously attacked you
Ventura: Yes. I thought I'd be safer with other people there.

Judge: Let's take a break
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2:38 pm
Judge Subramanian: OK, let's get Ms. Ventura back, and the jury
[Jury enters]
Combs' Estevao: Your affair with Mr. Mescudi was only a month long but you got a burner phone for it?
Ventura: Right.
Estevao: Mr. Combs' kicked you in the back?
Ventura: Yes

Combs' Estevao: This came up later in your relationship, that you had cheated on him with Kid Cudi?
Ventura: He brought it up quite a bit.
Estevao: When he cheated, he said, Well you had an affair with Kid Cudi, right?
Ventura: Sometimes.

Combs' Estevao: He suspected you of having an affair with another person in the industry - you were in South Africa filming?
Ventura: Yes, Honey 3 (laughs)
Estevao: While you were there you saw a photo of Mr. Combs with Gina and were irate, right?
Ventura: Angry

Combs' Estevao: You blocked him and focused on the movie, right?
Ventura: I tried my best.
Estevao: Mr. Combs suspected you of a relationship with whom?
Ventura: Michael B. Jordan

Combs' Estevao: You sent a video not only to Mr. Combs but also to staff - who? D-Roc?
Ventura: Yes.
Estevao: You sent it to them because you were angry with all of them?
Ventura: I was hurt. I spent all my time with them.
Estevao: You thought they were in on it

Combs' Estevao: The physical abuse, when did your father learn about it?
Ventura: Same time as my mother.
Estevao: Did Mr. Combs come to Connecticut to speak to your parents?
Ventura: I don't know if it was then.
Estevao: Kerry Morgan knew about the abuse?
Yes.

Combs' Estevao: The eyebrow gash incident, what was it about?
Ventura: Didn't answer the phone and went to sleep, I was supposed to be packing for a trip.
Estevao: He was inebriated?
Ventura: I don't remember that.

Combs' Estevao: Why were you asleep?
Ventura: A drink at the Abbey had something in it, I think
Estevao: Did Mr. Combs ever abuse you while he was inebriated, then say he didn't remember it?
Ventura: Yes.
Estevao: Did you feel he was not taking responsibility?

Ventura: Yes.
Combs' Estevao: For drugs, you'd both go to rehab?
Ventura: Rehab wasn't really a thing during our relationship.
Estevoa: The freak offs were an opportunity for you to take drugs together?
Ventura: Yes.
Estevao: You went a lot to Burning Man?
Yes.

Combs' Estevao: Did you ever call yourselves Get High Partners?
Ventura: We did.
Estevao: Did you take drugs from him without him knowing it?
Ventura: Yes.
Estevao: What was he reaction?
Ventura: Explosive.
Estevao: Did he tell LA dealers not to deal to you?
Yes

Combs' Estevao: You told Ms. Khorram that you learned only after the fact that Mr. Combs had dangled Ms. Bongolan off the balcony?
Ventura: I'm not sure.
Estavao: You were on drugs?

Ventura: I'm not sure.
Combs' Estevao: You got a life coach for your drug use - according to this document?
Ventura: I don't know who that person is.
Combs' Estavao: You were doing a lot of drugs?
Ventura: It was a rough time.

Combs' Estevao: You tried to get into a rehab, the Golden Door?
Ventura: It was a spa... There was a time I lost all sense of smell and taste and woke up in a hospital with an IV in my arm - I tried then to get help.

Combs' Estevao: The time after San Bernardino, you learned that he had overdosed?
Ventura: A very strong opiate, yes.
Estevao: Were you ever NOT addicted to painkillers?
Ventura: We took ibogaine
Estevao: Where did you get it?
Ventura: Cancun, Mexico. Separately

Combs' Estevao: When Mr. Combs threw you off the boat in Cannes, when he accused you of taking drugs and squeezed your leg -
Ventura: Among other things.
Estevao: But you still wanted to be with him?
Ventura: I did.

Combs' Estevao: Switching topics - when you say Mr. Combs went with guns to find Suge Knight, do you remember telling the government that you did go with them?
Ventura: No.
Estevao: Let me show you
AUSA: Just for the parties.

Ventura: I did not go with them. So I don't think I said that
Combs' Estevao: You also did drugs with Ms. Morgan, right?
Ventura: Yes.
Estevao: Do you recall telling the government that you did NOT set what he did, hitting her in the head with a wooden hanger

Ventura: I saw the hanger. I saw he was angry that I was doing drugs with Kerry.
Estevao: This broke up your 17 year friendship with her?
Ventura: It did.
Estevao: Did you tell Mr. Combs about your relationship with your now-husband?
No

Combs' Estevao: Ms. Morgan sued you and Mr. Combs?
Ventura: Made a demand.
Estavao: And you paid part of that?
Ventura: I did.
Estevao: And you haven't spoken with her since?
Ventura: Maybe one text.
Estevao: That was the relationship ender?
Yes

Combs' Estevao: You would heat up the baby oil?
Ventura: Yes.
Estevao: Now, is this from the day before the Inter Continental Hotel incident?
AUSA Johnson: This is a long document, we need time to read it

Judge: We'll take a break then
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4:08 pm
Judge Subramanian: We're in the home stretch of the day. Let's get our jury back... All rise!
[Jury entering]
Combs' Estevao: Is this from March 4?
AUSA: With UCT time it is March 3
Estevao: OK. Mr. Combs refers to accessories
Ventura: For the premiere

Combs' Estevao: You sent him an explicit message?
Ventura: Yes.
Estevao: He responded with Mmmm with a number of M's... He wrote, Too bad you have to work LOL
Ventura: He did.
Estevao: You ask him, Are you feeling better? Then he's discussing bodily function
Yes

Ventura: Could we just clarify what time these messages are really from, with the UCT?
AUSA: There's a stipulation on that
[There is: see below

Combs' Estevao: Mr. Combs went to your premiere lunch at London hotel?
Ventura: He did.
Estevao: Then he says, I just got out of a spiritual therapy session.
Ventura: I asked, How did it go
Estevao: He said it's a process. This is leading up to the hotel incident

Combs' Estevao: You say, Baby I want to F.O. so bad - you were asked in your direct, and said you didn't want him to ruin your premiere
Venture: Sure
Estevao: Mr. Combs says, If we start at 7 pm and go until 4 am, you can get enough rest after
Yes

Combs' Estevao He's saying it'd be a shorter than usual freak off?
Ventura: That's how I would understand it.
Estevao: What do you say?
Ventura: Kerry is here, we can't do it at my house.
Estevao: You say, That guy is sick. I'm not going to ask you what you meant

Combs' Estevao: So you were turning to Johnny - was he a dancer or an escort?
Ventura: We hired him as a dancer but he did what an escort does.
Estevao: Do you remember the beginning of this freak off in the Inter Continental?
Ventura: Not really.

Combs' Estevao: The drugs were bad MDMA, right?
Ventura: I have no idea.
Judge: It's 5 o'clock, jurors you may go home. Do not look up anything about the case. All rise!

Judge: Thank you Ms. Ventura, no discussions with the Government, we'll see you tomorrow. Everyone else may be seated.
[Witness leaves]
Judge: How much more?
Estevao: Let me check.
AUSA Johnson: Half an hour on re-direct
Agnifilo: We'll figure it out tomorrow

Judge: Have your next witnesses ready tomorrow. Who are they?
AUSA: Dawn Richard...

Judge: If there are more issues, someone needs to email the Court
[Again, issues off-docket...

Judge: Adjourned
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