Witness: David James

David James’ Testimony in Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ Sex Trafficking and Racketeering Trial: Days 6 and 7 Highlights On May 19 and 20, 2025, during Days 6 and 7 of Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial in Manhattan, David James, a former personal assistant to Combs, testified at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse in New York. James, who worked for Combs from 2007 to 2009 during the early years of Combs’ relationship with Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura, provided insight into Combs’ inner circle, his controlling behavior, and the environment that allegedly facilitated the 'freak-offs' central to the prosecution’s case. His testimony, which began late on May 19 and continued into May 20, aimed to support the prosecution’s claim that Combs ran a criminal enterprise involving coercion and abuse. Background and Role in the Trial David James served as Combs’ personal assistant during a formative period of Combs’ relationship with Ventura, who has accused Combs of years of abuse and coercion into drug-fueled sexual encounters known as 'freak-offs.' James was called as a prosecution witness to provide an insider’s perspective on Combs’ operations, focusing on his role in facilitating Combs’ lifestyle and witnessing the dynamics between Combs and Ventura. His testimony followed that of Dawn Richard and Kerry Morgan on May 19, and preceded Regina Ventura, Sharay Hayes, and Gerard Gannon on May 20. The prosecution, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey, used James’ account to illustrate how Combs’ enterprise allegedly operated, while the defense sought to portray his actions as routine for a celebrity assistant, not criminal. Key Points of David James’ Testimony 1. Hiring Process and Initial Role James began his testimony on May 19, tearfully recounting his hiring process with Bad Boy Entertainment. He described faxing his resume to their office at 1710 Broadway and undergoing a rigorous interview, which included scheduling 40 appointments as a test of his organizational skills. An executive told him, 'This is Mr. Combs’ kingdom, and we are all here to serve in it,' setting the tone for his role. James was later tasked with creating a spreadsheet for a Miami trip, marking the start of his tenure. He worked closely with Combs, often traveling in a second car for security reasons—a precaution to prevent anyone from 'pulling up' on Combs, reflecting the mogul’s high-profile status and perceived risks, such as assassination attempts. 2. Stocking Hotel Rooms and Procuring Supplies On May 20, James testified about his duties in preparing hotel rooms for Combs, which prosecutors linked to the alleged 'freak-offs.' He described stocking rooms with supplies, including condoms, baby oil, Astroglide lubricant, pills, food, and drinks. James was instructed not to submit these purchases for reimbursement through the company, as they were 'items he didn’t want to have a record for,' suggesting an intent to conceal their purpose. Photos of these hotel rooms were shown to the jury, illustrating the settings where 'freak-offs' allegedly took place. James’ role in procuring these items supported the prosecution’s narrative that Combs’ enterprise systematically facilitated coercive sexual activities, though the defense argued these were standard tasks for a celebrity assistant. 3. Witnessing Drug Use and Procuring Drugs James testified on both days about Combs’ drug use, stating he saw Combs take drugs like marijuana, ketamine, and cocaine, and share them with friends. He also described being sent to procure drugs for Combs, often under pressure. James recounted being subjected to lie detector tests and intimidating searches to ensure his loyalty, highlighting the high-stakes environment he worked in. These details were used by prosecutors to argue that drug use was integral to the 'freak-offs,' where victims were allegedly drugged to ensure compliance, aligning with Ventura’s earlier testimony about being given substances like ecstasy and ketamine during these encounters. 4. Observations of Combs’ Control Over Ventura James provided critical testimony about the dynamics between Combs and Ventura. On May 19, he recalled a conversation with Ventura in Miami, where they smoked cigarettes outside, and she confided, 'Man, this lifestyle is crazy.' James agreed, noting the grueling hours and travel schedule, and suggested she 'bail' on the party life with Combs. Ventura told him, 'Sean controls my life, my music, he pays for my apartment,' indicating Combs’ extensive influence over her. James also overheard Combs say, 'Cassie’s good, I’ve got her right where I want her, she’s young and moldable,' and refer to his late ex, Kim Porter, as 'my queen,' revealing Combs’ manipulative mindset. On May 20, James confirmed he never personally witnessed Combs hitting Ventura, which the defense could use to challenge claims of physical abuse, though his account of control supported the prosecution’s coercion narrative. 5. Incident Involving Suge Knight and Chef Jourdan James testified about two incidents that prosecutors argued demonstrated Combs’ volatile behavior and the culture of intimidation within his circle. On May 20, he described an episode where Combs, allegedly holding three handguns, instructed James to accompany him to look for record producer Suge Knight, a known rival. The defense objected, arguing the anecdote was irrelevant, but Judge Arun Subramanian overruled, allowing the testimony as evidence of racketeering. The defense later suggested the incident didn’t happen as James described, with attorney Marc Agnifilo asking if James objected to going, probing his credibility. James also recounted a confrontation with Chef Jourdan, who worked for Combs. On redirect, he admitted to lying to Combs about filing a police report claiming Jourdan was the aggressor in a dispute, instead driving around to avoid doing so. When asked if he lied to Combs, James confirmed he did, a point the defense used to question his reliability. These incidents highlighted the pressure James faced and Combs’ alleged use of intimidation, though the defense framed them as unrelated to the charges. Legal and Trial Context James’ testimony followed Ventura’s four-day account of abuse and preceded Regina Ventura’s emotional testimony about her daughter’s decline. It overlapped with Hayes’ description of 'freak-offs' and Gannon’s raid findings, which included drugs and sex-related items. The prosecution used James to show how Combs’ enterprise allegedly operated, with employees facilitating activities like drug procurement and 'freak-off' setups. CNN legal analyst Joey Jackson noted, 'He takes you into the enterprise,' emphasizing James’ role in illustrating the racketeering charge under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). The defense, led by Agnifilo, sought to portray James’ actions as routine and questioned his credibility, particularly with the Suge Knight and Chef Jourdan incidents. Implications and Next Steps James’ testimony bolstered the prosecution’s case by detailing Combs’ control over Ventura and the operational aspects of his alleged enterprise, such as drug use and 'freak-off' preparations. However, his admission of never witnessing violence and the defense’s challenges to his reliability provided avenues for the defense to argue that Combs’ actions, while flawed, were not criminal. As the trial progresses, upcoming testimony from witnesses like Kid Cudi, expected to address Combs’ jealousy and threats, and a male hotel employee, may further contextualize the coercive environment James described. The jury will need to weigh these accounts against the defense’s narrative of consensual relationships, a core tension in the case.

Compiled from news sources and summarized by Grok.

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