Singer Dawn Richard testified on Friday, May 16, in a federal courtroom, claiming she personally witnessed Sean “Diddy” Combs assaulting singer Cassie Ventura. Richard, who was once a member of Danity Kane, was called to testify in Diddy’s ongoing criminal trial. Prosecutors questioned her about an incident from 2009 involving Combs and Cassie.
According to Richard, the assault occurred inside Diddy’s Los Angeles home. She testified that she saw Combs attack Cassie, kicking her and trying to strike her with a skillet filled with eggs. Richard described Cassie falling to the ground, curling into a fetal position, and being repeatedly kicked by Combs, who then dragged her across the room. She also recalled hearing glass breaking and screams, and said she was terrified for both Cassie and herself.
Richard further testified that after the incident, Diddy threatened her and another bandmate, warning them not to speak out about what they had witnessed. “He said it was in our best interest not to talk,” Richard told the court. “He said, ‘Where I come from, people go missing if they talk.’”
Her testimony supported claims made earlier by Cassie during the trial and mirrored allegations Richard made in a civil lawsuit filed in November 2024 against Diddy. After her testimony, the judge dismissed the jury and Richard for the weekend, with her testimony set to resume on Monday morning.