Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial live updates:
Ex-assistant says Combs wanted to kill
Kid Cudi over Cassie relationship
Combs faces five criminal counts in total, including two of sex trafficking, and has denied all of the allegations.
What to know about the sex trafficking trial
Sean Combs’ former assistant, Capricorn Clark, took the stand today. Unnamed members of the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Fire Department were also set to testify, but were moved to tomorrow after Clark's gripping testimony took the full day.
Clark testified about having her life repeatedly threatened by Combs and how he told her he wanted to kill rapper Kid Cudi. She detailed being taken by an enraged, gun-wielding Combs to break into Kid Cudi's home.
Clark also said she witnessed Combs viciously beating Cassie Ventura over her relationship with Kid Cudi.
Kid Cudi, legally known as Scott Mescudi, testified last week about his relationship with Ventura and the abusive nature of her relationship with Combs.
Combs faces five criminal counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy; two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has denied the allegations against him.
This live blog may include graphic descriptions of sexual violence. For resources on sexual assault, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline.
Sign up for the "Diddy on Trial" newsletter for key developments and analysis, and listen to Dateline's nightly podcast.
MATTHEW RUSSELL LEE of I.C.P
reporting as the ears to the inside
for MIND OF MONKEY STUDIO
2h / 12:34 PM
Judge: Adjourned.
2h / 12:32 pM
Geragos: The legal minutes cut off when MDC Legal is not there. The other calls are capped at 300 minutes, they are filtered.
Judge: Let me work on that. There are union issues with the VTC in the evening.
Geragos: Maybe more SCIF time here
2h / 12:30 PM
Judge: Tomorrow?
AUSA: LAPD, LAFD Jimenez, Nash and Mia.
Agnifilo: What about the VTC with Mr. Combs in MDC-Brooklyn jail?
Judge: There are logistical difficulties in the evening. They believe they are being flexible.
Geragos: We get cut off after 5:30 pm.
2h / 12:25 PM
AUSA: In the kidnapping, did Mr. Combs carry a gun?
Capricorn Clark: Yes...
Judge: Jurors, I know we kept you longer than I said. Thank you. See you tomorrow. All rise!
[Jurors leave]
2h / 12:17 PM
Capricorn Clark: I was blacklisted
Agnifilo: Objection
Judge: Sustained
AUSA: Why did you return to work for Mr. Combs?
CC: So people could see I wasn't disposable. At this level of business he held all the power.
AUSA: Why did you meet them?
A: Get my life back
2h / 12:13 PM
AUSA: What happened with the job with Chris Lighty?
Capricorn Clark: He died, the day before I was supposed to start... Then at Interscope, it wasn't about a job, they told me to leave Puff alone
Combs' Agnifilo: I object.
Judge: Sustained.
2h / 12:08 PM
Combs' Agnifilo: When you met with me, you wanted to work for him, right?
Capricorn Clark: We discussed it.
Agnifilo: Nothing further.
Judge: Ms. Steiner?
AUSA: How much was Mr. Combs required to pay you?
Judge: Sidebar.
2h / 12:06 PM
Combs' Agnifilo: You made a short movie with her?
Capricorn Clark: It was called Love a Loser.
Agnifilo: You wrote to him asking for forgiveness?
CC: I wanted my life back! My dream, my competency.
2h / 12:01 PM
[They've back]
Combs' Agnifilo: Just a few more minutes and we'll get you out today
Capricorn Clark: Thank you, sir.
Agnifilo: You did a lot of great work with Cassie i 2016 and 2017, right?
CC: I believed so.
Agnifilo: Cassie had addiction problems?
CC: Yes.
3h / 11:59 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: Did it hurt, that he would only take you back because Cassie wanted?
Capricorn Clark: Yes... I have no parents. My son is autistic. My stakes are higher, sir
Judge: How much more, Mr Agnifilo?
Agnifilo: Can I talk to the government?
Judge: Sidebar
3h / 11:57 AM
Capricorn Clark: I felt I was the only one gone, she was still there.. And things were getting worse. I'd tried to keep professionalism as the goal.
Combs' Agnifilo: You thought you could be his protector?
CC: It was to move the ball toward the goal, to inspire
3h / 11:55 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: Please read that out loud.
Capricorn Clark: I wrote, She was never my friend. She wanted me gone, I realized
Agnifilo: Did you think Cassie wanted you gone?
Clark (cryng) S-s-s-orry. This is complicated for me. I felt that I was Puff's protector
3h / 11:53 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: Here you wrote to Mr. Combs, One day you'll forgive me... Anyway, be well, xx.
Capricorn Clark: Yes.
Agnifilo: You wrote, on Feb 28, 2015, Your grace period to be mad at me has surpassed the agreed time LOL - you wrote that?
CC: Yes sir.
3h / 11:51 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: You hung up on the fire inspector?
Capricorn Clark: I did.
Agnifilo: When you were on vacation, it was with who?
Clark: Rihanna.
Agnifilo: After you were fired, what job did you get?
CC: I was hired by Chris Lighty to work for 50 Cent
3h / 11:46 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: You go to pick up Cassie and go where?
Capricorn Clark: Cudi's house. There was ADT there.
Agnifilo: Then you go to Mr. Combs' house and you say you see Mr. Combs kicking Cassie there and even in the street?
3h / 11:42 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: Then you see the Porsche coming up the hill?
Capricorn Clark: Yes. Cudi is in the black Porsche. He stops next to us then speeds off. We chase him.
Agnifilo: Then?
CC: He loses us, we turn away. Then we see police pass us.
3h / 11:35 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: Mountain lions?
Capricorn Clark: I don't know if you know the Hollywood Hills, coyotes... Maybe Lauren was on the phone? Maybe. It's such a long time ago
Agnifilo: Are you aware that Lauren and Mr. Combs were friends for years after this?
A: Yes.
4h / 11:32 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: Did you say that Lauren London was on the phone with you and Cassie and Cudi?
Capricorn Clark: No. Only part of the time. [Voice cracking] I wanted someone to know where I was.
Agnifilo: What did you tell her?
CC: I'm scared of mountain lions
4h / 11:29 AM
Capricorn Clark: Cudi took her to one room, she had another.
Combs' Agifilo: You are 100% that you called and told them, Puff had a gun?
CC: Yes. I said it very quickly. I didn't want Puff to see me on the phone...
4h / 11:25 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: Did you look at Kid Cudi's door to see if they could get through it?
Capricorn Clark: I was not really paying attention. I was so in my head trying to plan my next step. I was praying that Cudi was not in there.
Agnifilo: Did Cassie have 2 rooms?
4h / 11:21 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: He's a jealous guy?
Capricorn Clark: He has a bad temper.
Agnifilo: To the Escalade - did you pass a security guard?
CC: I saw him, in his little hut.
Agnifilo: Mr. Combs was behind the driver with a gun on his lap - you made a call?
A: Not then
4h / 11:18 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: Where did you change into street clothes?
Capricorn Clark: In my closet.
Agnifilo: Isn't it true you went so that Mr. Combs wouldn't do something stupid?
CC: No. I went because he said he didn't care I didn't want to go.
4h / 11:15 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: What was Mr. Combs doing with the gun?
Capricorn Clark: He had it in his hand.
Agnifilo: He wasn't pointing it at you?
CC: No.
Agnifilo: But you told the government he pointed it at you
CC: It says, Or waved it around. That's more correct
4h / 11:14 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: How did Mr. Combs get into your building?
Capricorn Clark: I was told the security guard got fired.
Agnifilo: What was his name?
CC: Some random security guard.
Agnifilo: What did he look like?
CC: Black guy. Younger than 35.
4h / 11:08 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: How did you know about burner phones.
Capricorn Clark: I grew up in Los Angeles.
Agnifilo: In December 2011 Mr. Combs was at an orphanage in Almaty, Kazakhstan?
CC: I heard it was Russia.
4h / 11:05 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: You believed that after Thanksgiving Ms. Ventura and Kid Cudi were.. what?
Capricorn Clark: Getting to know each other.
Agnifilo: Why'd you get her a burner phone at BestBuy?
CC: I told her, You cannot do this on your Bad Boy phone.
4h / 11:03 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: Here in 2012 you are setting up a recording session for Cassie-
Capricorn Clark: Mario Winans was. For the chairman.
Agnifilo: For Mr. Combs?
CC: Yes
Agnifilo: When did you learn Cassie was dating Kid Cudi?
CC: Fall of 2011. I picked her up there
5h / 10:58 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: King of Hearts?
Capricorn Clark: It was fresh, Puff liked it.
Agnifilo: Cassie had a green wig?
CC: Yes.
Agnifilo: We move to admit this witness
AUSA: There is a sealing issue
Agnifilo: You don't remember this email?
CC: I don't
5h / 10:51 AM
Capricorn Clark: I ran into Cassie, she said she had a new deal with Epic. I dressed her like David Bowie. We did a photo shoot at my house. We wrote a mini movie and shot it, for the project.
Combs' Agnifilo: What about Official Girl?
CC: Super cute video
5h / 10:49 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: He supported her?
Capricorn Clark: Yes, with stylists, other musicians, all the components to make a star.
Agnifilo: Did she get more help than others?
CC: Yes, Yung Joc and a groups from Atlanta. I developed French Montana
5h / 10:47 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: When wasn't she a hard worker?
Capricorn Clark: She preferred to be with her boyfriend. When we moved to LA, after Kim had the twins, 2009-ish. I saw her developing more of her relationship with Puff - with Mr. Combs.
5h / 10:44 AM
Capricorn Clark: Talented to me is Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. Cassie, she was more of a studio musician. She needed things equalized.
Combs' Agnifilo: Did she perform live?
CC: A couple times. Not the greatest.
Agnifilo: Was she a hard worker?
A: At times
5h / 10:41 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: What did you see?
Capricorn Clark: She went from being a sweet model to being a feisty girlfriend.
Agnifilo: Do you think she was talented?
CC: She had talent and was very beautiful.
Agnifilo: But not talented?
CC: She was not. I have good taste
5h / 10:39 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: Why did you not get along with Cassie sometimes?
Capricorn Clark: In 2008, she got more bravado being his girlfriend the longer it lasted. She thought I was being paid to help her
AUSA: Objection!
Judge: Substained. Re-ask
5h / 10:38 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: When you say he had Ms. Ventura spin, who was there? Let me show you what you said... You said Laurieann Gibson was there?
Capricorn Clark: They mis-heard me.
Agnifilo: When did you first meet Cassie Ventura?
CC: I met her with Ryan Leslie
5h / 10:35 AM
Judge: Now let's bring in the jury in.
Jury entering!
Combs' Agnifilo: When you went into the park, it was to Tavern on the Green.
Capricorn Clark: We parked there. Earlier in the day in the park we ran into Nas...
5h / 10:26 AM
Judge: In their defense submission over the weekend the defense argued the album covered was relevant - right Ms. Shapiro?
Combs' Alexandra Shapiro: Yes.
AUSA: Ms. Ventura is topless with her arms crossed. So we -
Judge: Let's have Ms. Clark comes back
5h / 10:23 AM
Combs's Agnifilo: The direct went more negative than we expected. Their theory is that Ms. Ventura was not permitted to be creative-
Judge: In the future, in what you submit overnight
5h / 10:19 AM
[They've back. Below juror and witness in]
AUSA: They proposed to use communications between Ms. Clark and Ms. Ventura - we don't see any non hearsay purpose.
Combs' Agnifilo: There are logistics and photo shoots being discussed. She testified to this on direct
7h / 9:25 AM
So, longer break
With jury and witness out:
Judge: On DNA questions to Inspector Jimenez, the Government's objection is overruled.
AUSA: We ask for a bit longer, we've not been able to eat lunch - we are running ahead of schedule - our case may be closer to 5 weeks than 6 weeks
7h / 9:17 AM
Capricorn Clark: I did learn a lot from Mr. Combs [almost crying] he broke that glass ceiling for us black people in the business world.
Combs' Agnifilo: Do you need a minute?
CC: No, it's just complicated -
Judge: We'll take a break
7h / 9:16 AM
Capricorn Clark: I think I was a really good employee for him.
Combs' Agnifilo: He told you you were awesome?
CC: He did not use that word.
Agnifilo: You worked hard for him?
CC: I did.
Agnifilo: Others worked hard too, right?
CC: Not as hard as me.
7h / 9:14 AM
Capricorn Clark: I was making $65,000 for Combs, then $90 at Jive.
Combs' Agnifilo: Why'd you come back to Combs?
CC: I had gotten top records, for R.Kelly -Mr. Combs said he was impressed, asked me to come back for Sean Jean for women
7h / 9:13 AM
Capricorn Clark: I got fired for 3 weeks.
Combs' Agnifilo: How did you get unfired?
CC: I went to work on his 35th birthday at Cipriani, to do the celebrity list. I came back.
Agnfilo: 2004 to 2006-
CC: Not all.
Agnifilo: As personal assistant?
CC: Then Liaison
7h / 9:10 AM
Capricorn Clark: The jewels were still on loan from Jacob the Jeweler.
Combs Agnifilo: Who else got lie detector?
CC: Mike B, his stylist. He too had gone to street level of 1440 for manicures. The lie detector test was the next day
Agnifilo: You never told HR?
No
7h / 9:04 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: How long before the jewelry missing thing?
Capricorn Clark: It was about four months. On the 4th of July he threw a white party at his home on the Hamptons that year, with Vote or Die
Agnifilo: When did the jewels missing happen?
CC: After July 4
7h / 9:02 AM
Capricorn Clark: Then I shadowed him on the Vote or Die campaign. My job was to get the T-shirts on the celebrities and into the photo shoots. I'd call them and say Puff wanted them to come.
Combs' Agnifilo: And they came?
CC: They did.
7h / 9:01 AM
Capricorn Clark: I put my resume on Monster after the World Trade Center thing... He said, you'd work for me? I was like, Maybe. He was acting on Broadway in Raisin in the Sun. I was impressed.
Combs' Agnfilo: He had a major part?
CC: He was a star.
7h / 9:00 AM
[They've back]
Combs' Agnfilo: You called him Choc, for Chocolate?
Capricorn Clark: I did.
Agnifilo: You started with Def Jam - Run DMC?
CC: I don't go back that far. I'm more Foxy Brown, Redline, Jay-Z
Agnifilo: So how did you come to work for Mr. Combs?
7h / 8:48 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: Read this and let me know when you're done. Do you remember saying you had the biggest crush on him?
AUSA: Objection, 403
Judge: Mr. Agnifilo?
Agnifilo: State of mind
AUSA: It's being offered for the truth.
Agnifilo: We had a stip on this
Sidebar
7h / 8:45 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: You authorized Mr. Freeman to seek a job for you?
Capricorn Clark: It was all very procedural, lawyer to lawyer.
Agnifilo: But you were told you couldn't be given a job in the middle of the investigation?
CC: I don't remember that.
7h / 8:42 AM
Capricorn Clark: It was 2002, I met Jeannette, then Mr. Combs. In 2001 was the World Trade Center thing. Then I met Mr. Combs.
Combs' Agnifilo: He wasn't doing drugs, right?
CC: He did Ecstasy in Daddy House.
Agnifilo: But it got worse?
CC: Yes.
7h / 8:40 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: You saw Ms. Geragos taking notes?
Capricorn Clark: Yes.
Agnifilo: You said you didn't think Cassie was good for Mr. Combs - why?
CC: I just thought they were toxic.
Agnifilo: Tell me about when you were in NY
CC: I was in the Bronx, I hated it
7h / 8:37 AM
[They've back]
Judge: Ms. Clark, you are still under oath.
Combs' Agnifilo: We met in April 2024 - you had a lawyer, Bryan Freedman?
Capricorn Clark: Yes.
Agnifilo: You wanted to come back and work with Mr. Combs, right?
CC: We discussed it, yes
8h / 8:17 AM
Now, break
8h / 8:16 AM
AUSA: When did you last speak with Ms. Ventura?
Capricorn Clark: 2018.
AUSA: And Mr. Mescudi?
CC: 2012.
AUSA: No further questions.
Judge: Break-
Combs' Agnifilo: Can I start?
Judge: We'll, we're taking a break
8h / 8:14 AM
Capricorn Clark: Her complaint did not reference me. I reached out to Mr. Combs and said, I want my life back, you kidnapped me
Combs' Agnfilo: Objection!
Judge: Overruled.
AUSA: Was there a discussion of you working for Mr. Combs again?
CC: Yes, as chief of staff
8h / 8:12 AM
AUSA: Who did you have to get approvals from?
Capricorn Clark: Sean Combs. Cassie was taking more drugs.
AUSA: Was she still dating Mr. Combs?
CC: Yes.
AUSA: In Dec 2023 why did you retain an attorney?
CC: I was traumatized by Cassie's civil complaint
8h / 8:11 AM
[They've back]
AUSA: Aside from that settlement agreement, do you have any other pending litigation against Mr. Combs?
Capricorn Clark: No.
AUSA: Did you go back to work for him?
CC: 2016, no one else would hire me. Cassie had a new record deal with Epic.
8h / 8:08 AM
AUSA: Did you get a job offer?
Capricorn Clark: I did but it fell through. I couldn't get a job.
AUSA: Did you settle with Mr. Combs?
CC: In October 2012. For --
Combs' Agnifilo: Objection! Can I approach?
[sidebar]
8h / 8:07 AM
AUSA: Did you lose benefits?
Capricorn Clark: All of them. Health, 401(k), my house and car.
AUSA: What did Mr. Combs say?
CC: That I would never work again. That he would make me kill myself.
8h / 8:05 AM
AUSA: What did Harv Pierre tell you?
Capricorn Clark: He said, That's crazy but it's going to be OK. I got a termination notice. I was accused on not properly putting in for the vacation I was on.
AUSA: Had you put in?
CC: Yes, to Harv Pierre.
8h / 8:03 AM
AUSA: How many times did Mr. Combs threaten you?
Capricorn Clark: I'd say fifty times. D-Roc was there, just doubling down on whatever Puff was saying in the moment.
AUSA: Who is Harv Pierre?
CC: The president of Bad Boy Records. I told him Puff had kidnapped me
8h / 8:01 AM
AUSA: Did law enforcement call you?
Capricorn Clark: The arson investigators. Cudi had given them my name. I hung up on them. I just wanted this over.
AUSA: What did Mr. Combs say to you?
CC: He said, I should kill you b*tches and I should cut her face.
8h / 7:59 AM
AUSA: This email, Who is it from?
Capricorn Clark: Cassie. She wrote that he would be releasing sex tapes about me and he would have someone else hurt me and Scott Mescudi
AUSA: Do you recall if you responded to this?
CC: I don't.
8h / 7:58 AM
AUSA: Then who did you call?
Capricorn Clark: Regina Ventura. I told her, He's kicking the sh*t out of your daughter. I can't call the police but you can.
AUSA: Why didn't you call the police?
CC: The mission of the day was to get Cudi, so no calling police
8h / 7:56 AM
Capricorn Clark: I called Paulie too. I said he'd take care of it. But Rube did nothing.
AUSA: What next?
CC: Mr. Combs told me to get the f*ck out too. I left on foot.
AUSA: Could you still see her getting kicked?
CC: Until I went around the bend.
8h / 7:54 AM
AUSA: What did Mr. Combs say to you?
Capricorn Clark: He said, If you jump in, I'm going to f*ck you up to.
AUSA: What did Rube do?
CC: Nothing.
AUSA: Who did you call?
CC: D-Roc. I told him, Tell your brother to stop Puff, he is k*cking the sh*t out of her
8h / 7:52 AM
AUSA: How was Cassie?
Capricorn Clark: In the fetal position. Mr. Combs kicked her all the way to the street. She was crying silently.
AUSA: Where was he kicking her?
CC: Her back, her backside [voice cracks]
AUSA: Where were you?
CC: Five feet away. So was Rube
8h / 7:50 AM
AUSA: What was Mr. Mescudi's reaction?
Capricorn Clark: Mind blown.
Combs' Agnifilo: Objection!
Judge: Sustained. Jury will disregard.
AUSA: What happened at the house?
CC: He was kicking Cassie again and again
8h / 7:47 AM
AUSA: Where did you go?
Capricorn Clark: We went to Cudi's & tried to convince him not to file a police report.
AUSA: What did you tell them?
CC: That Puff came to my house with a gun.
AUSA: What did you tell them he said?
CC: If you tell on him, he'll hurt us all
8h / 7:46 AM
AUSA: How did Ms. Ventura respond?
Capricorn Clark: She said, OK come get me. She was calm.
AUSA: Who drove you home?
CC: Ruben.
AUSA: What did Mr. Combs then tell you?
CC: To convince Cudi not to say that it had been him at his house. I picked up Cassie
8h / 7:44 AM
Capricorn Clark: We drove off and saw the police driving the other way, toward Cudi's. Puff was pulling himself together. We stopped at the Key Club and he told me to call Cassie.
AUSA: What did he tell you to tell Cassie?
CC: That he had me and wouldn't let me go
8h / 7:41 AM
AUSA: What did you hear on the phone?
Capricorn Clark: That Scott was at Cassie's.
AUSA: When Mr. Combs came back?
CC: He took my phone and called the last number. Then I saw Cudi driving up - Mr. Combs saw my face and said, There's that N right there!
8h / 7:40 AM
AUSA: What did you do?
Capricorn Clark: I called Cassie on her burner. I said, Cassie, where the f*ck? I told her Puff was at Cudi's house. Then I changed her number in my phone to my best friend Stormy.
9h / 7:37 AM
AUSA: How long does it take to drive from your home at the time to Cudi's house in the Hollywood Hills?
Capricorn Clark: If you push it, 15 to 20 minutes.
AUSA: What did Mr. Combs and Rube do at Cudi's house?
CC: They went in.
AUSA: Could you see in?
CC: Yes
9h / 7:34 AM
AUSA: Who joined in?
Capricorn Clark: Ruben. In the black Escalade, executive class.
AUSA: Where was Ruben?
CC: Driver's seat. I got in the backseat, right hand side. Mr. Combs was in the left, next to me. Usually he would have sat in the front. Gun was in his lap
9h / 7:32 AM
AUSA: Where was the gun?
Capricorn Clark: In his hand. I said I didn't want to go. He said, I don't give a f*ck what you want - get dressed.
AUSA: What concerns did you have?
CC: He'd never come to my house.
AUSA: Did you try to escape?
CC: No. I got dressed.
9h / 7:30 AM
AUSA: What was he wearing?
Capricorn Clark: Button down sweater, torn pants - & he was holding a gun. He came into my apartment and said, Why didn't you tell me? Who is Scott? I said, I don't know any Scott.
AUSA: What did he say?
CC: We're going to go kill this N
9h / 7:29 AM
AUSA: What did you see through the peephole?
Capricorn Clark: A furious Puff.
Combs' Agnifilo: Objection.
Judge: Ask another question, Ms Steiner.
AUSA: What was his movement?
CC: Pacing with something in his hand.
AUSA: Did you open the door?
CC: I did.
9h / 7:27 AM
Capricorn Clark: I took Cassie to BestBuy to get a burner phone.
AUSA: When did Mr. Combs return to town?
CC: Not long after. He took Cassie to a hotel, the Cipriani
AUSA: And then?
CC: December 22, 2011, between 5:30 and 6 am. There was banging at my door
9h / 7:25 AM
AUSA: What did she say?
Capricorn Clark: She text me they were going to this public place in LA. I told her it was a bad idea, and to delete the text/
AUSA: Why?
CC: If Mr. Combs learned about Mr. Mescudi - I mean, Mr. Combs paid for my phone, and hers.
9h / 7:24 AM
AUSA: Where was Ms. Ventura?
Capricorn Clark: In NYC on West End. She would come to LA and stay with him, or with me, or in a hotel.
AUSA: Who else was Ms. Ventura seeing?
CC: Scott Mescudi. Cudi.
AUSA: How'd you learn that?
CC: She brought him to my apartment
9h / 7:22 AM
AUSA: What were you doing for Ms. Ventura?
Capricorn Clark: Managing her image, maximize the optics for her. For Sean Combs. He had final approval on everything.
AUSA: In LA where did you live?
CC: A gated community. We had followed Kim Porter there
9h / 7:20 AM
AUSA: Did you leave your employment?
Capricorn Clark: I did.
AUSA: But you returned?
CC: As Global Brand Director.
AUSA: Why?
CC: He was impressed by what I did in the job I'd left for, a couple of albums. He said, you wouldn't have to work directly for me
9h / 7:18 AM
Capricorn Clark: One time I asked the chef if there was turkey bacon, she said, No f*cking turkey bacon. I said, I hate it here. The chef told Mr. Combs & he pushed me again & again.
AUSA: What did he say?
CC: He said, If you hate it here, get the f*ck out of here
9h / 7:17 AM
AUSA: Was Mr. Combs violent with you?
Capricorn Clark: Yes. At Star Island. He told me, You are not to leave this house. Pharrell Williams was brought in by boat. I returned Mr Walker to Palm Island. He called & said, Where the f*ck are you? You can't have a life
9h / 7:14 AM
AUSA: What about bulk cash?
Capricorn Clark: Yes, 100,000 Euro, coming back from Europe.
AUSA: Where'd he get it?
CC: Club bookings in Europe. He'd keep it, then give it to security. Then into his bedroom personal safe.
AUSA: Violence?
CC: Fighting
9h / 7:12 AM
[They've back]
AUSA: Who did Mr. Combs say the drugs were for?
Capricorn Clark: He said, Not me.
AUSA: Did you get them?
CC: Yes, through the Spanish security guard. He also get prescription drugs in my name. They were in the toiletry bag I'd carry, or security
9h / 7:09 AM
AUSA: And in the South of France?
Capricorn Clark: He asked me to get cocaine. I said, For WHO?
AUSA: Why?
CC: I wasn't going to do it, given how my mother died
Combs' Agnifilo: Objection! Sidebar?
[Sidebar]
9h / 7:08 AM
AUSA: What did you say?
Capricorn Clark: You're motherf*cking right.
AUSA: Did you observe Mr. Combs obtain drugs?
CC: A girlfriend in NY. In LA, from One Stop. Molly, Ecstasy. Delivered to Puff or to me
AUSA: Did he ask you to get drugs for him?
CC: Yes. Ecstasy
9h / 7:06 AM
Capricorn Clark: Yes. Ms. London was there, chef Jourdan in the other room. He called Cassie over, asked her to walk there, hand me that, go back in the other room. She did it.
AUSA: What did he say?
CC: You b*tches won't do that, that's why you don't have a man
9h / 7:04 AM
AUSA: How frequently would Mr. Combs stay in a hotel with Cassandra Ventura in 2008?
Capricorn Clark: Like once a week. At l'Hermitage, the London, Inter-Continental. For several days, the IV drips
AUSA: Did he speak to you about his relationship with Ms. Ventura?
9h / 7:02 AM
Capricorn Clark: A camera, small bottles of baby oil and lube. Cameras. Every time.
AUSA: What you you be doing?
CC: Watching TV, ordering room service, keeping up on sleep. Afterward I'd sweep the room for anything left behind.
AUSA: Any damage?
CC: Baby oil
9h / 7:00 AM
AUSA: What names would he book room under?
Capricorn Clark: Frank Black. Frank White.
AUSA: And the girlfriends?
CC: Jackie Star.
AUSA: Where did he stay?
CC: Inter-Continental Buckhead in Atlanta; Beverly Hills Hotel in LA.
AUSA: What were in his bags?
9h / 6:58 AM
AUSA: Did you get paid overtime?
Capricorn Clark: No. I spoke to the head of HR. She said I was owed $80,000
AUSA: How did Mr. Combs respond?
CC: He ripped up the paper.
AUSA: Would Mr. Combs stay at hotels?
CC: Yes.
AUSA: With whom?
CC: Kim Porter. Once a week.
9h / 6:56 AM
AUSA: What were your days like?
Capricorn Clark: From his townhouse at 74th Street and Park in the morning, to Daddy's House studio at night.
AUSA: How much sleep did you get?
CC: On a good day four hours. On a bad day too. I got a stress condition. I was paid 55K
10h / 6:54 AM
AUSA: What happened after 5 days?
Capricorn Clark: That I could return to work, that Mr. Combs would see me the next week.
AUSA: Did Mr. Combs ever discuss it with you?
CC: No.
AUSA: Why did you continue to work with Mr. Combs?
CC: If I left they'd think I stole
10h / 6:52 AM
AUSA: Did you tell anyone where you were?
Capricorn Clark: No. I was just trying to survive it. I worked under an NDA-
Combs' Agnifilo: Objection!
Judge: Sustained. Jury should disregard the last answer
AUSA: What would have you been doing?
CC: Shadowing Mr. Combs
10h / 6:51 AM
AUSA: What did Paul say at the end?
Capricorn Clark: That he'd come back the next day to figure his out. We started again, another lie detector test in the same location. All day.
AUSA: Were you free to leave?
CC: No.
AUSA: How long did this go on?
CC: 5 days
10h / 6:49 AM
AUSA: Did he tell you the results?
Capricorn Clark: He said to calm down, that he couldn't get a good reading and he might have to throw me in the East River.
AUSA: Anyone else in the building?
CC: Not to my knowledge.
AUSA: Could you leave?
CC: No. Paul said no
10h / 6:47 AM
Judge: Ms. Steiner, you may proceed.
AUSA: What was his demeanor?
Capricorn Clark: Very serious. I was terrified.
AUSA: Did you want to be taking the test?
CC: No. I was afraid.
AUSA: How was the test?
CC: Wires on you and they question you. Did I steal?
10h / 6:43 AM
AUSA: What did he said would happen if you failed the lie detector test?
Capricorn Clark: That they would throw me in the East River.
Combs' Agnifilo: Objection! Can we have a sidebar?
[Sidebar]
10h / 6:42 AM
AUSA: Can you describe him?
Capricorn Clark: Five of me. Two linebackers. He was chain smoking.
AUSA: Did Uncle Paulie stay?
CC: No. Intermittently he came back.
AUSA: What did the heavyset man say?
CC: I was there to take a lie detector test.
10h / 6:41 AM
AUSA: Where did Uncle Paulie take you?
Capricorn Clark: 1710 Broadway. It was dilapidated. It was being fixed up. But I didn't know that. Uncle Paulie took me to the sixth floor. The door was locked behind us. There was a six foot folding table and a heavyset man
10h / 6:37 AM
AUSA: What did you do?
Capricorn Clark: From Teterboro I called 1440 and told them to lock it down.
AUSA: What did Uncle Paulie do?
CC: He questioned me three hours
AUSA: You went home?
CC: To Queens, yes, with Uncle Paulie. He searched my house
10h / 6:36 AM
AUSA: And did he talk about it?
Capricorn Clark: He. Mr. Combs told Chris Lighty he had a gun. He had a problem with 50 Cent.
AUSA: Were you ever accused of stealing?
CC: Yes. Jewelry. It had been given to me. It was on loan.
AUSA: It went missing?
CC: Yes.
10h / 6:34 AM
Capricorn Clark: All aspect of Mr. Combs' movements, to keep him save. There were also D-Roc. Roger Bonds, & Ruben
AUSA: Who's D-Roc?
CC: A good friend of Biggie Smalls. Running back type body
AUSA: Did you ever observe Mr. Combs with a gun?
CC: Yes. In my home
10h / 6:30 AM
Judge: Overruled. Proceed.
AUSA: How did you take it?
Capricorn Clark: Seriously. It had gravitas.
AUSA: How did you react?
CC: I said, I didn't have anything to do with that stuff-
Objection!
Judge: Sustained. Ms. Steiner...
AUSA: What was Paulie's role?
10h / 6:28 AM
AUSA: Does this photo look like him?
Capricorn Clark: No, he doesn't have on the black out shades he wore all the time
AUSA: What did Mr. Comb tell you in the park?
CC: That since I'd worked for Suge Knight, if anything happened he might have to kill me
Objection!
10h / 6:26 AM
AUSA: Did you work in this building? [Photo of Bad Boy Records office]
Capricorn Clark: Yes we moved there in 2005.
AUSA: Your first day, where did Mr. Combs take you?
CC: Central Park, after dark, along with Uncle Paulie. He looked like a linebacker
10h / 6:25 AM
AUSA: Then what?
Capricorn Clark: Head of women's for Sean Jean.
AUSA: How long?
CC: A year. Then global brand director for Sean Combs. Name and likeness due diligence. To grow the brand. Then I was terminated, until 2016, for Cassandra Ventura.
10h / 6:22 AM
AUSA: When did you first meet Mr. Combs?
Capricorn Clark: When I moved to NYC in 2002. We were super Platonic friends. A headhunter said I should work for him as a personal assistant. I did, until 2006.
AUSA: Your duties?
Capricorn Clark: Shadow him from wake up
10h / 6:21 AM
AUSA: What was your relation to Suge Knight?
Capricorn Clark: He is the father of my friend's child
AUSA: Then you worked for Sean Combs?
Capricorn Clark: Yes. He is over there in a blue sweater. I worked for him from 2004 to 2012.
AUSA: Were you kidnapped?
A: Yes
10h / 6:19 AM
Jury entering!
Judge: Welcome back. Call your next witness.
AUSA: The Government calls Capricorn Clark... Where did you grow up?
Capricorn Clark: Born in San Francisco, moved to LA. Worked for Def Jam. Then Death Row Records, a late 90s gangster rap label
10h / 6:17 AM
Judge: Now as to Mr. Mescudi's testimony, which seemed like an opinion. How is it admissible given the requirements of Rule 701?
AUSA: We'd like to look at the cases submitted by the defendant then put in a letter.
Judge OK. Bring in the jury
11h / 6:09 AM
Judge: That leaves us with the objection to Doctor Hughes. Is the US going to respond?
AUSA: Yes.
Judge: Submit your response by tomorrow.
11h / 6:08 AM
AUSA: The summary charts will save time, as they did in the [ex-Senator Bob] Menendez case
11h / 6:04 AM
Judge: What about the summary charts - when are they being offered?
AUSA: Some early next week, others along with our second to last witness before we rest our case.
Judge: Bringing in bank & phone records & texts is OK - but some text threads are already in
11h / 6:02 AM
Judge: I'm going to overrule the objection but I'll hear you at sidebar after the direct
AUSA: This DNA issue can mislead the jury
Agnifilo: We could prove this up through the serologist. This is fair game for this witness
Judge: For now the objection is overruled
11h / 5:57 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: He got the results back. If the DNA came back with Sean Combs' DNA this investigation would have gone in a different direction. But it was consistent with a female contributor
Judge: So it's not whether the result was accurate, only the impact
11h / 5:55 AM
AUSA: Yes there was a partial profile from the glass bottle in the car. But Investigator Jimenez does not know what that means. But there-
Judge: You don't object to the report coming in, only what Mr. Agnifilo will ask?
AUSA: We do object to the report coming in
11h / 5:53 AM
Judge Subramanian: I see you burned the midnight oil over the weekend. What about the DNA questions?
AUSA: Investigator Jimenez' knowledge of his is extremely limited.
Judge: But didn't he ask the serologist if any DNA test was done?
AUSA: But not the results
11h / 5:51 AM
OK - US v. Combs Day 10 starting with rulings on testimony of Capricorn Clark and others, DNA in Kid Cudi's burned car, Investigator Jiminez
DAY: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
AND NOW THE VERSION NBC NEWS
POSTED TO THEIR WEBSITE
2h ago / 12:36 PM PDT
Capricorn Clark finishes testimony; court is adjourned
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Clark left the witness stand and court is adjourned for the day.
Prosecutors said they believe they will be able to get through their list of witnesses for tomorrow, which include members of the Los Angeles police and fire departments.
2h ago / 12:31 PM PDT
Combs said they'd all be hurt if police found out about Kid Cudi incident, Capricorn Clark testifies
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Clark told the court she went with Combs on the day of the break-in at Kid Cudi's house because she felt she could be hurt if she refused.
She said Combs had a gun throughout the entire incident, and it was visible to her.
Clark also testified that she didn't report the situation to the police because Combs told her that if the police found out about the break-in at Kid Cudi's home, they would all be hurt.
2h ago / 12:29 PM PDT
Combs held 'all the power' over Capricorn Clark, preventing her from finding work, she says
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and David K. Li
Clark testified she had no choice but to go back working for Combs and even ask for his forgiveness since he held "all the power."
The defense showed how Clark seemed keen on working for Combs even after the alleged kidnapping and threats against her.
But on redirect examination by the government, Clark told jurors she had no choice but to seek employment with Combs again, just to show the entertainment industry that she "was valuable and not disposable."
"He holds all the power as it relates to me," she explained. Clark later added, "I just want to work and provide for my son."
3h ago / 12:02 PM PDT
Capricorn Clark says she asked Combs for forgiveness, breaks down sobbing talking about Cassie
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo entered an email Clark sent to Combs in September 2014 into evidence, where Clark asked for his forgiveness.
The email was sent two years after Combs fired her and about two years before she returned to work for him again. In the email, Clark wrote that hopefully Combs will forgive her soon, and that she felt like he forgave everyone but her.
Other emails were also brought up in court, including one from months later where Clark said she wanted to be his friend again. Clark seemed angry with Cassie Ventura, saying she was clearly never a real friend.
Clark broke down sobbing on the witness stand, saying the situation was complicated for her and that she felt she was Ventura's protector. She apologized to the judge for her crying, but Judge Arun Subramanian assured her she didn't need to be sorry.
3h ago / 11:55 AM PDT
Capricorn Clark dodged LAFD investigators on Kid Cudi car fire
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
The one-time Combs assistant admitted she didn't help Los Angeles fire investigators in their probe of Kid Cudi's car getting torched.
When an LAFD representative called her in the summer of 2012, Clark hung up on the investigator and never called back.
Clark said she simply didn't "want to have anything to do with this any longer."
3h ago / 11:41 AM PDT
Capricorn Clark says Kid Cudi was on speaker phone when she tried to warn Cassie: 'He's in my house?'
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and David K. Li
Clark testified that she had to tip off Cassie Ventura that Combs was armed and hunting for Kid Cudi at his house.
On the morning Combs sought to confront Kid Cudi, Clark said she managed to sneak in a call to Ventura on her burner phone — and Ventura just happened to be with the rival rapper at that moment, the witness said
Clark said she could hear Kid Cudi on speaker phone reacting to this threat in the background, asking: "He's in my house?
3h ago / 11:35 AM PDT
Capricorn Clark continued doing business with Combs after she says she was kidnapped
Adam Reiss and Gavon Laessig
The defense presented Clark with emails from her work at Bad Boy Records from January 2012, just three weeks after she says she was kidnapped by Combs.
When asked if she continued conducting business with Combs, even after telling the jury she was kidnapped and threatened with murder, Clark responded, "Yes."
4h ago / 11:11 AM PDT
Cassie got 'lion's share' of Bad Boy resources, Capricorn Clark says
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
The career of Combs' girlfriend was an important company goal between 2007 and 2010, Clark said.
In that time, Ventura seemed to receive the "lion's share of Bad Boy" Records' resources, Clark testified.
"From my perspective," Clark testified, "the lion’s share of Bad Boy was on Cassie in that first block of time."
4h ago / 11:02 AM PDT
Capricorn Clark says Cassie Ventura is no Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
Clark implied that Ventura "had talent," but not quite to Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey levels.
When the defense pushed Clark to evaluate Ventura's singing ability, the witness said she wasn't a Whitney- or Mariah-level talent, but more of a studio artist.
Clark said she'd seen Ventura live a handful of times and Combs' then-girlfriend might have underperformed due to nerves. She also said that around 2016 she thought that drug use was taking a toll on Ventura's career.
5h ago / 10:07 AM PDT
Combs tried to chase Kid Cudi in car before police sirens dissuaded him, Capricorn Clark says
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Earlier in her direct testimony, Clark offered new details on Combs' attempt to confront Kid Cudi in December 2011 and why Combs left.
She told the court that after she called Cassie Ventura to let her know Combs broke into Kid Cudi's home, Combs got into the car and left the residence. They were driving away from the home when Combs spotted Kid Cudi traveling in the other direction, Clark said.
Combs chased Kid Cudi in the vehicle until he heard sirens headed in the direction of Kid Cudi's home, when Clark told the court Combs pulled himself together and drove to a stop at a club on Sunset Boulevard.
5h ago / 9:41 AM PDT
Prosecution says it's ahead of schedule and could finish a week early
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
The government's lead prosecutor, Maurene Comey, asked Subramanian if lunches could go longer than the currently allotted half-hour.
The judge asked if that would slow the jury getting all the evidence by his goal of July 4, but Comey said testimony has been moving ahead of schedule.
Comey predicted the government would rest after five weeks rather than six as earlier planned.
5h ago / 9:22 AM PDT
Judge declares court in recess for lunch
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian dismissed jurors until 1 p.m. ET, when they'll return for more cross-examination of Capricorn Clark.
The former assistant has given detailed testimony about Combs and his relationships with Ventura and employees of the rapper's vast business interests.
5h ago / 9:21 AM PDT
Capricorn Clark cries on stand recalling opportunity to work with Combs
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Clark began to cry under cross-examination after she was asked about working hard for Combs and whether she believed in the work she was doing.
Combs' former employee told the court that she learned a lot from Combs, especially as someone who didn't finish her college education. She said she considered it another form of business school.
Clark said that Combs was tenacious and broke glass ceilings.
5h ago / 9:16 AM PDT
Lie detector tests went on for roughly 8 hours a day, Capricorn Clark says
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Clark told the court that she was locked up in an office for around 40 hours while being subjected to lie detector tests about missing jewelry.
She testified under cross-examination that she was hooked up to the polygraph at about 10 a.m. and wouldn't be finished until about 5 or 6 p.m. Clark said she would take the test, it would be taken for review, and she would keep taking the test until Combs cleared her five days later.
Asked by defense attorney Marc Agnifilo whether she reported to human resources that she was locked in a building while she took lie detector tests over the course of five days, Clark said she did not.
6h ago / 8:51 AM PDT
Capricorn Clark calls the Combs-Cassie relationship 'toxic'
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
Combs and Cassie Ventura would have both benefited from splitting up long before they did, the witness said.
"Yes, they were toxic as a couple," Clark said during the cross-examination by defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo.
The defense has sought to downplay violence inflicted on Ventura by Combs, by implying that troubling acts within the relationship were consensual or motivated by jealously.
6h ago / 8:19 AM PDT
Combs fired Capricorn Clark over Kid Cudi, said he would make her kill herself, she says
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and David K. Li
Combs fired Clark, she said, for her allegedly failing to inform him about Cassie Ventura dating Kid Cudi.
"I lost everything," Clark said, ticking off a list of employment benefits such as health insurance and a 401(k).
Clark said Combs gave her a 30-day notice in 2012: "He said I would never work again and all these people weren’t my friends and he would make me kill myself."
Clark came back to Combs' world in 2016, working as Ventura's creative director.
7h ago / 8:10 AM PDT
Combs told Capricorn Clark that he 'should kill' her and Cassie, Clark testifies
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Combs questioned Clark about how much she knew regarding Cassie Ventura's relationship with Kid Cudi, Clark told the court.
He was angry and upset, wanting to know when Clark knew about the pair and why she didn't tell him about it, Clark testified.
Combs told her, "I should kill you b----es," Clark said.
7h ago / 8:09 AM PDT
Capricorn Clark says she called Cassie's mom when no one on Combs' team tried to stop the beating
Jing Feng and David K. Li
In the aftermath of the Kid Cudi incident, Combs brutally beat and kicked Cassie Ventura, prompting Clark to make a desperate call to Ventura's mother, the witness said.
When no one in Combs' inner circle would step in to stop the beating, Clark said she had no other option but to call Regina Ventura.
Clark recalled telling the elder Ventura: "He's beating the s--- out of your daughter. I’m in over my head. Please help her. I can’t call the police, but you can."
7h ago / 8:06 AM PDT
Combs beat Cassie '100% full force' after Kid Cudi break-in, Capricorn Clark says
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Combs repeatedly kicked and beat Cassie Ventura, as he wore only a robe and underwear, after she arrived at his home following the Kid Cudi break-in, Clark tearfully testified.
Clark told the court that Combs came at Cassie "100% full force," repeatedly kicking his former girlfriend while she crouched more and more into a fetal position. Cassie was crying quietly as Combs kicked her in the back over and over again, Clark said.
Combs' former employee struggled to speak while recounting the incident to the court, testifying that Cassie was only a few feet away from her at the time.
Clark said Combs told her if she intervened, he would attack her next. She added that no one on Combs’ security team intervened to stop the attack.
7h ago / 7:54 AM PDT
Capricorn Clark says she called Cassie while Combs broke into Kid Cudi's home
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Clark told the court that she was sitting in a car at Kid Cudi's home when Combs accessed the main door of the rapper's property.
She called Cassie Ventura from the car and told her that Combs came to Cudi's home to kill the rapper, Clark testified. She said that Combs came back to the car and asked to see her phone, calling the last number on the call history.
Clark said Combs ordered her to call Cassie to let her know Combs had her and that he wasn't going to let Clark go until Cassie came. Cassie calmly agreed, Clark testified, and Clark went to pick her up.
They returned together to Combs' home where Combs allegedly told them not to speak to the police and urged them to convince Cudi to not tell the police he was involved.
7h ago / 7:48 AM PDT
'Get dressed, we're going to go kill Mescudi': Capricorn Clark says Combs was enraged about Kid Cudi
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
Clark recalled the morning of Dec. 22, 2011, when Combs banged on her apartment door, as her enraged boss said they were going to confront rapper Kid Cudi, real name Scott Mescudi.
Clark said Combs was visibly furious, his pants split at the crotch, as he paced back and forth with a firearm.
"He just said, 'Get dressed, we’re going to go kill Mescudi,'" Clark testified. "The gun was in his hand."
The witnesses' testimony could be crucial to the government's racketeering case, if prosecutors can show Combs marshaling his company's resources for use in a criminal action.
Kid Cudi had earlier testified to Combs' rage when he learned that Ventura was seeing him.
7h ago / 7:36 AM PDT
Capricorn Clark said that Cassie dating Kid Cudi would 'get us all killed,' urged her to get burner phone
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
The burner phone that Cassie Ventura used to contact Scott Mescudi, also known as Kid Cudi, was purchased at Clark's urging, she told the court.
She said that she picked up Cassie one day and Cassie asked Kid Cudi to join them, which Clark thought was a bad idea. Clark testified that she was concerned that Cassie was texting her on a phone paid for by Combs and that it wasn't a good idea.
Clark took Cassie to Best Buy to buy a new phone because she feared that Cassie was "going to get us all killed," Clark testified.
7h ago / 7:31 AM PDTCapricorn Clark breaks down in tears saying Combs lunged at her, tried to shove her out of home
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
Clark recalled a 2006 incident at Combs' Miami home when he forcefully shoved her, the witness said.
Capricorn Clark used her hands in a shoving motion when describing how an enraged Combs allegedly pushed her around while saying, "If you hate it here, get the f--- out of my house."
"That was crossing my boundary," a tearful Clark told jurors of the incident.
7h ago / 7:24 AM PDT
Capricorn Clark says she was asked to obtain drugs for Combs
Jing Feng and Doha Madani
There were times when Combs asked Clark to obtain drugs on his behalf, including illicit substances as well as prescription medication, she testified.
Clark told the court that while Combs usually obtained drugs on his own, she was sometimes asked to get substances for him. She said Combs once asked her to get him cocaine while they were in the south of France in 2006.
He also asked her to get prescription drugs in her name and that he would pay for it, Clark said.
7h ago / 7:21 AM PDT
Combs commanded Cassie to move at his direction in front of other women, Capricorn Clark says
Jing Feng and David K. Li
Combs once forced Cassie Ventura to obediently move at his command in front of other women, Clark said.
She recalled a 2010 interaction with Combs at his Los Angeles home when he questioned why she didn't have a boyfriend.
That's when Combs summoned girlfriend Cassie Ventura into the room and had her sit down, stand up and turn around on command, Clark said. Combs then allegedly added that: "You b----es don't want to do that and that's why you don't have a man."
8h ago / 7:13 AM PDT
Combs' hotel setup required drugs, baby oil and IV drips, Capricorn Clark says
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
Part of Clark's job was to set up hotel rooms for Combs, which she told the court required drugs and an intravenous drip.
She said she would unpack his clothing and make sure his personal belongings were in place, which included baby oil and a small camera. Part of the setup required a toiletry bag with drugs such as ecstasy, Clark said.
Combs also required IV drips for himself and Cassie, which he said contained something similar to serotonin supplements and would help them recover from the drug use.
8h ago / 7:04 AM PDT
Working for Combs was 24/7 stress and led to hair loss, Capricorn Clark says
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
Clark lost hair and barely slept due to the 24-hour stress of her job working for Combs, the former assistant said.
For a $55,000 salary, Clark said she regularly worked from 7 a.m. to 4 a.m. doing everything from research to fetching dry cleaning and food.
The witness said she even suffered from stress-related alopecia, the clinical term for hair loss, due to her boss's nonstop demands.
8h ago / 7:01 AM PDT
Capricorn Clark says she was subjected to days of lie detector tests
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
After three pieces of jewelry went missing, Clark told the court she was told she wasn't free to leave until she passed a lie detector test.
The first test was inconclusive and she was threatened again with being thrown into the East River by the man administering the polygraph, Clark said. She was brought home and forced back the next day, saying she was told by Combs' security she was not free to leave until she was cleared of any wrongdoing.
It took five days of taking the test, she said. She did not want to take the tests, but she wanted to get through the ordeal and prove her innocence.
8h ago / 6:59 AM PDT
Someone threatened to throw Capricorn Clark into East River over missing jewelry, she says
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
Clark told the court that Combs once accused her of stealing three pieces of high-end jewelry that he had been given on loan and subjected her to a lie detector test when it went missing.
She testified that Combs had tasked her with bringing the jewelry to Teterboro Airport, but she didn't realize the items were gone until they were at the airport. Clark told the court that she was brought to an office she didn't recognize in New York City after being questioned for hours on the matter.
A heavy-set man on the sixth floor of the building told her she was there to take a lie detector test and that if she failed, he would throw her into the East River, she said.
George Kaplan, another former assistant who worked for Combs, testified last week that he was also ordered to take a lie detector test on two different occasions during his employment.
8h ago / 6:56 AM PDT
Combs said 'I like guns' while discussing issues with 50 Cent, Capricorn Clark says
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
The defendant once made a vague threat regarding 50 Cent, according to Clark.
After Combs and 50 Cent finished doing press for MTV, the defendant told his manager that he was having an issue with the rapper, real name Curtis Jackson, Clark said.
Combs punctuated the chat with, "I like guns," the witness said.
8h ago / 6:47 AM PDT
Capricorn Clark says Combs threatened to kill her while talking about Suge Knight
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and David K. Li
Combs' former employee described how she was once in fear for her life after he threatened to kill her while discussing Suge Knight.
Clark, Combs and Combs' head of security Uncle Paulie were walking through Central Park in New York City when Combs brought up Knight. Clark described Combs' calm demeanor in expressing his anger over learning that she had once worked for the Death Row Records kingpin.
When the prosecution asked Clark if she took this threat as serious, she said, "Very serious."
8h ago / 6:29 AM PDT
Capricorn Clark called to the witness stand
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
Capricorn Clark, Combs' former employee, has been called to testify by the government.
Clark said she started at Bad Boy Records in 2004 and worked for Combs until 2020. She also served as Cassie Ventura's creative director until 2018, she told the court.
9h ago / 5:53 AM PDT
Court is in session
Adam Reiss
Court is now in session, marking the 10th day of Combs’ trial.
9h ago / 5:48 AM PDT
Sean Combs has arrived at court
Adam Reiss
Sean Combs has arrived at court, hugging one of his defense attorneys, Teny Geragos, as we prepare to begin week three.
9h ago / 5:28 AM PDT
Experts: Prosecution still has work to do to show Combs led a criminal enterprise
Deon J. Hampton and Erik Ortiz
While Sean Combs’ federal trial has been rife with drama, cringe and explosive comments, lawyers not involved in the case say prosecutors have yet to prove that the music mogul is guilty of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy; two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
About a dozen people have taken the stand so far in the trial, which will enter its third week today.
“I’m not seeing the development of a racketeering enterprise,” veteran criminal defense attorney Tama Beth Kudman said. “I’m not seeing the thread that creates an enterprise with a unified purpose.”
10h ago / 4:29 AM PDT
Here’s what happened Thursday
Marlene Lenthang
On Thursday, when the trial was last in session, rapper Kid Cudi, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, testified about his relationship with Cassie Ventura and the abusive nature of her relationship with Sean Combs.
Cudi also testified that his car was torched with a Molotov cocktail after his relationship with Ventura ended, and he suspected Combs was involved.
He said he and Ventura stopped seeing each other, noting, "The drama was too out of hand, and to give her some space."
Combs’ former assistant, George Kaplan, also returned to the stand Thursday. He described his duties, which included cleaning up liquor bottles and baby oil from hotel rooms.
11h ago / 3:40 AM PDT
Judge and lawyers still targeting Fourth of July for end of trial
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
Today will mark the 10th day of testimony, and lawyers and the judge are cautiously optimistic about meeting their goal of turning this case over to jurors by the Fourth of July.
"As long as defense stays to a week, I think that’s (July 4) fair," lead prosecutor Maurene Comey told the judge just before adjournment last week.
The case got off to a slow start with the extended questioning of the defendant’s former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, but the pace has been picking up.
11h ago / 3:40 AM PDT
Capricorn Clark, former Combs assistant, expected to testify
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
Capricorn Clark, a former assistant of defendant Sean Combs, and personnel from the Los Angeles Police and Fire Departments are set to take the witness stand today, prosecutors have said.
Clark might be called to testify about what she saw or knows about an alleged break-in by Combs at Kid Cudi's home in late 2011.
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