Essayist’s Observe: This tale comprises discussions of home violence, rape or sexual attack. Reader discretion is suggested. In the event you or anyone you recognize is experiencing home violence or abuse, you’ll be able to in finding assets and discreet techniques to get backup at the National Domestic Violence Hotline website or the National Sexual Assault Hotline website.
(NewsNation) — A prosecution eyewitness who alleges he took section in sex acts at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ path completely informed NewsNation‘s “Banfield” on Tuesday that he didn’t imagine the encounters felony on the era.
Sharay Hayes, identified professionally as “The Punisher,” testified Tuesday. Cassie Ventura’s mother additionally took the rise with emotional testimony about ultimatum towards her daughter.
Hayes, who used to be a stripper, told NewsNation that occasion he occasionally seen Ventura “sighing or wincing” at Combs’ repeated instructions, he interpreted it “as frustration” with the status in lieu than unwillingness to take part.
“It would be suggestive … nothing aggressive, nothing that would create some sort of scenario that this was, like, unnatural between them,” Hayes mentioned. “In hindsight, if there were no accusations, I would have seen it as completely natural.”
Hayes informed jurors he used to be leased eight-12 occasions via Combs and Ventura to take part in sexual encounters that he described as “methodical” and “routine.” Hayes mentioned he seen the status as a pair enticing in consensual untruth role-play.
“In the moment, I didn’t see it as anything but a couple doing something risqué, and Cassie as a partner trying to create a fantasy for who I believed was her husband,” Hayes informed NewsNation.
Hayes mentioned those encounters handiest incorporated himself, Ventura and Combs.
Hayes testified that Combs directed all facets of the sexual encounters, despite the fact that he by no means witnessed violence all through the classes through which he participated. He described a constant trend the place encounters would start with child oil software, escalate to sexual touching and culminate in sexual acts.
Previous within the time, Regina Ventura, Cassie’s mom, delivered emotional testimony about finding in 2011 that Combs threatened to drop “two explicit sex tapes” of her daughter nearest studying Cassie Venura used to be relationship rapper Child Cudi.
The mum additionally mentioned she photographed bruises on her daughter’s frame that had been allegedly inflicted via Combs. Protection legal professionals declined to cross-examine Regina Ventura.
Prosecutors are the use of such testimony to create their case that Combs led a felony undertaking, the use of his staff and trade infrastructure to dedicate “predicate acts” required for racketeering fees.
When requested whether or not he believed Combs used to be in charge of intercourse trafficking and racketeering, Hayes declined to do business in an opinion.
“I don’t have the legal understanding to levy the evidence and come to a determination of what I think,” Hayes mentioned. “I just think it’s an unfortunate situation for everyone.”
Hayes additionally referenced a book he wrote about his encounters he mentioned he had with the couple.
Combs faces federal fees of intercourse trafficking, racketeering and alternative crimes. He has pleaded no longer in charge to all fees.