These are the people expected to testify in the Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial has opened in Manhattan federal court, and it’s already generating headlines that even his most tabloid-friendly years never managed. Facing five felony counts – including racketeering and sex trafficking – Combs could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted. The case centers on what prosecutors describe as a two-decade criminal operation involving violence, coercion, and drug-fueled “Freak Off” sex parties.

Diddy and the testimonies

The court was shown a key piece of evidence on day one: hotel surveillance video that appears to show Combs assaulting his ex-girlfriend in 2016. On Tuesday, Day 2, she’s expected to take the stand.

Who is Cassie and what will she say?

Casandra Ventura – better known as Cassie – is more than just a former girlfriend. She’s a pivotal figure in the prosecution’s case. A rhythm and blues singer, Cassie was in a long-term relationship with Combs throughout much of the period covered by the charges. She’s also the woman seen in the hallway footage being kicked and dragged by Combs, wearing nothing but a towel, outside a Los Angeles hotel elevator.

The video, first aired by CNN in 2024, caused a public backlash that prompted Combs to issue an apology. But prosecutors say this wasn’t an isolated outburst. They argue that Ventura was frequently subjected to physical abuse and played a central role in what they describe as a system of control, fear, and manipulation. She is expected to testify that she was drugged, blackmailed, and coerced into participating in orchestrated sex parties, and that Combs reacted violently when she tried to leave or set boundaries.

Who has already testified?

On the first day of the trial, jurors heard from Daniel Phillip, a male stripper who said he was paid to have sex while Combs watched. He described one incident where Combs allegedly threw a liquor bottle at Cassie, grabbed her by the hair, and dragged her into a separate room. Phillip’s testimony is expected to bolster the narrative that these events weren’t isolated or consensual but part of a broader pattern of behavior.

Will other victims testify against Diddy?

Three other accusers – at least two of whom are confirmed – are expected to testify under pseudonyms to protect their identities. According to prosecutors, each woman will describe how they were enticed with promises of money or music industry opportunities, only to be forced into sexually abusive scenarios, often recorded without consent.

Prosecutor Emily Johnson told jurors they would hear harrowing stories of “days spent in hotel rooms, high on drugs, dressed in costumes to perform the defendant’s sexual fantasies.” These women, prosecutors argue, were part of a system orchestrated to feed Combs’ desires while maintaining his public image as a music mogul.

Several former employees are also on the witness list. According to the prosecution, they helped coordinate logistics for the parties and helped cover up signs of abuse. Some may testify to arranging travel, managing the women’s schedules, and even deleting surveillance footage or destroying physical evidence.

Will Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs testify?

It’s unclear whether the man at the center of this will take the stand. Combs’ legal team hasn’t said either way, and most defense lawyers advise against it in criminal trials – particularly those involving sex crimes. If Combs were to testify, he’d open himself up to cross-examination and scrutiny over decades of personal behavior. That’s a risky strategy, even for someone used to controlling the narrative.

The trial is expected to run for another eight to ten weeks, with more victims, experts, and investigators scheduled to testify.

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