Featured Image Credit: Lia Toby/Getty
Topics: Cassie Ventura, Diddy, Sex Trafficking, Domestic Abuse, US News, Court, Crime, Celebrity
Liv Bridge
Topics: Cassie Ventura, Diddy, Sex Trafficking, Domestic Abuse, US News, Court, Crime, Celebrity
Cassie Ventura's husband has issued a heartfelt statement about his wife following her tough testimony and cross-examination in the Diddy trial.
This week, the high-profile court case brought against Diddy, whose real name is Sean Combs, saw his former girlfriend take to the stand to deliver an emotional testimony.
The rapper stands accused of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution since his arrest last year, all of which he denies.
On the stand in the New York court room, Cassandra 'Cassie' Ventura alleged she was physically abused at the hands of Combs, whom she dated for 11 years between 2007 to 2018, and made to participate in his so-called 'freak off' sex parties.
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The now 38-year-old said 'freak offs' involved her having sex with other men, usually male escorts, while Combs allegedly watched and directed - which included one instance of an escort urinating into her mouth.
Now, her husband Alex Fine has spoken out about how he feels watching and listening to the harrowing testimony.
The 32-year-old tied the knot to Cassie in 2019 after the pair met not long after her relationship with Combs came to an end.
They have two children together with a third on the way, with Cassie testifying about the apparent abuse she endured for a decade while eight months pregnant.
As the trial ended its first week on Friday (May 16), Alex issued a statement that addressed Combs 'and all of those who helped him along the way', which Cassie's lawyer Douglas Wigdor read outside the court.
It reads: "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,.
"Please know this: You did not. You did not break her spirit nor her smile that lights up every room."
Turning to address some of the 'speculation online', he said: "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. She did the work of fighting the demons that only a demon himself could have done to her. All I have done is love her as she has loved me."
In Cassie's heartbreaking testimony, she claimed the sex parties were 'humiliating' and caused an enormous physical toll on her body, ranging from 'painful' infections and mouth sores to urinary tract infections (UTIs), and that she had 'PTSD' when the relationship ended.
The jury were also shown a CCTV clip that showed Combs attacking her inside a Los Angeles hotel in 2016 which Cassie said happened after she attempted to 'flee' from a freak-off that turned violent.
Alex has continued to stand by Cassie's side throughout the ordeal, writing on Instagram when that footage resurfaced: "Men who hit women aren't men."
In 2019, he also reportedly ran a marathon to raise awareness of domestic violence.
In his statement this week, he continued to praise the 'bravery' of his wife, saying: "You did not break the soul 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."
Meanwhile in court, the defense suggested Cassie loved Combs and that her involvement in the 'freak-offs' were consensual.
The trial continues.
If you've been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800.656.HOPE (4673) available 24/7. Or you can chat online via online.rainn.org Español: rainn.org/es.