Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial day four: defense cross-examines Cassie
The strategy of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ defense started to come into focus as his attorneys cross-examined his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
Casandra “Cassie” Ventura Fine and her husband Alex Fine are speaking out after her bombshell testimony in the federal sex-crimes trial of her ex-boyfriend Sean “Diddy” Combs.
After her four days on the witness stand came to a tearful close May 16, the couple issued respective statements about the explosive week of emotional testimony from the “Me & U” singer.
Outside the Manhattan federal courthouse where Combs is standing trial, lawyer Douglas Wigdor read statements on the couple’s behalf.
“This week has been extremely challenging, but also remarkably empowering and healing for me,” Ventura Fine’s statement read. “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 the abuse and fear.”
Ventura Fine’s 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’m grateful for all the kindness and encouragement that I have received.”
Ventura Fine, who is visibly pregnant with her third child, concluded her statement, writing, “I’m 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 for my growing family.” The couple share two daughters: Frankie, 5, and 4-year-old Sunny.
During her testimony, Ventura Fine spoke openly about the decade of alleged sexual, physical and psychological abuse she said she endured at the hands of former partner Combs. It included an alleged rape, years of forced participation in Combs’ drug-fueled “freak off” sex sessions and an infamous beating at a now-closed Los Angeles luxury hotel.
Cassie’s husband Alex Fine says he didn’t save her from ‘demon’
“MobLand” actor and personal trainer Alex Fine, the husband of Ventura Fine, slammed commentary that suggested he “saved” the “Perfect Match” actress and shot back at online “speculation” about his feelings about her testimony.
“Over the past five days, the world has gotten to witness the strength and bravery of my wife, freeing herself of her past. There has been speculation online surrounding how it must feel for me to sit there and listen to my wife’s testimony,” Fine said through Wigdor. “I have felt so many things sitting there. I have felt tremendous pride and overwhelming love for Cass. I have felt profound anger that she has been subjected to sitting in front of a person who tried to break her.”
Fine directly responded to Combs: “So, to him and all of those who helped him along the way, please know this: You did not. 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.”
Fine said that “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 abuse, coercion, violence and threats.”
He added that Ventura Fine “did the work of fighting the demons that only a demon himself could have done to her” and “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,” Fine said. “We appreciate all of 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.”
Contributing: Brendan Morrow
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