Isabella Gomez-Sarmiento

After Ventura's cross-examination, prosecutors called an agent from Homeland Security Investigations to the stand to lay some of the groundwork for the sex trafficking charges. At the end of the day, singer Dawn Richard began her testimony. She said she saw Combs hit Ventura more than once. Richard will continue testifying on Monday. Isabella Gomez-Sarmiento, NPR News.

After Ventura's cross-examination, prosecutors called an agent from Homeland Security Investigations to the stand to lay some of the groundwork for the sex trafficking charges. At the end of the day, singer Dawn Richard began her testimony. She said she saw Combs hit Ventura more than once. Richard will continue testifying on Monday. Isabella Gomez-Sarmiento, NPR News.

So basically, prosecutors are alleging that Combs forced two of his ex-girlfriends into these highly orchestrated sexual performances that were fueled by drug use. They're saying he ran a criminal enterprise that not only enabled but concealed those sex crimes along with other illegal activities.

So basically, prosecutors are alleging that Combs forced two of his ex-girlfriends into these highly orchestrated sexual performances that were fueled by drug use. They're saying he ran a criminal enterprise that not only enabled but concealed those sex crimes along with other illegal activities.

So basically, prosecutors are alleging that Combs forced two of his ex-girlfriends into these highly orchestrated sexual performances that were fueled by drug use. They're saying he ran a criminal enterprise that not only enabled but concealed those sex crimes along with other illegal activities.

She has shared a lot. She really painted a picture of pervasive control and violence over the 11-year relationship that she shared with Combs. So first she testified that Combs demanded that she participate in sexual encounters with male escorts that Combs would choreograph, watch, and film. Ventura said that he would allegedly blackmail her with these videos.

She has shared a lot. She really painted a picture of pervasive control and violence over the 11-year relationship that she shared with Combs. So first she testified that Combs demanded that she participate in sexual encounters with male escorts that Combs would choreograph, watch, and film. Ventura said that he would allegedly blackmail her with these videos.

She has shared a lot. She really painted a picture of pervasive control and violence over the 11-year relationship that she shared with Combs. So first she testified that Combs demanded that she participate in sexual encounters with male escorts that Combs would choreograph, watch, and film. Ventura said that he would allegedly blackmail her with these videos.

And then she also testified about how Combs was physically abusive towards her for years. The government showed photos of bruising and other injuries that Ventura said resulted from his beatings. So she said she loved Combs, but that he could also be scary, and she just didn't feel like she could safely leave that relationship.

And then she also testified about how Combs was physically abusive towards her for years. The government showed photos of bruising and other injuries that Ventura said resulted from his beatings. So she said she loved Combs, but that he could also be scary, and she just didn't feel like she could safely leave that relationship.

And then she also testified about how Combs was physically abusive towards her for years. The government showed photos of bruising and other injuries that Ventura said resulted from his beatings. So she said she loved Combs, but that he could also be scary, and she just didn't feel like she could safely leave that relationship.

Yeah, I mean, so like you were saying, Ventura testified that Combs wielded a lot of power over her, that power was professional, it was financial, emotional, physical, and that he used that to coerce her into this sex that she didn't want to participate in.

Yeah, I mean, so like you were saying, Ventura testified that Combs wielded a lot of power over her, that power was professional, it was financial, emotional, physical, and that he used that to coerce her into this sex that she didn't want to participate in.

Yeah, I mean, so like you were saying, Ventura testified that Combs wielded a lot of power over her, that power was professional, it was financial, emotional, physical, and that he used that to coerce her into this sex that she didn't want to participate in.

She also spoke a lot about how Combs requested that she hire male escorts and arrange travel for them, so that connects to those prostitution charges. And she detailed how his employees were allegedly at his beck and call to help commit and cover up these crimes.

She also spoke a lot about how Combs requested that she hire male escorts and arrange travel for them, so that connects to those prostitution charges. And she detailed how his employees were allegedly at his beck and call to help commit and cover up these crimes.

She also spoke a lot about how Combs requested that she hire male escorts and arrange travel for them, so that connects to those prostitution charges. And she detailed how his employees were allegedly at his beck and call to help commit and cover up these crimes.

So, I mean, off the bat earlier this week, the defense admitted that Combs has been violent, but they say he didn't coerce or traffic anyone. So when they began cross-examining Ventura, they relied heavily on text message evidence. They had her read out loud these loving, caring texts she exchanged with Combs over the years. The defense is really trying to establish grounds for consent.

So, I mean, off the bat earlier this week, the defense admitted that Combs has been violent, but they say he didn't coerce or traffic anyone. So when they began cross-examining Ventura, they relied heavily on text message evidence. They had her read out loud these loving, caring texts she exchanged with Combs over the years. The defense is really trying to establish grounds for consent.

So, I mean, off the bat earlier this week, the defense admitted that Combs has been violent, but they say he didn't coerce or traffic anyone. So when they began cross-examining Ventura, they relied heavily on text message evidence. They had her read out loud these loving, caring texts she exchanged with Combs over the years. The defense is really trying to establish grounds for consent.