Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura and her husband Alex Fine have issued their respective statement following the singer-model's grueling testimony during Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial.
The "Me & U" artist's attorney Doug Wigdor read a statement she wished to share after she stepped down from the witness stand for the last time on Friday, May 16. In it, Ventura called the past few days in court "challenging" yet "remarkably empowering and healing" as she closed the most traumatic chapter of her life.
"I hope that my testimony has given strength and a voice to other survivors, and can help others who have suffered to speak up and also heal from abuse and fear,” she said via Wigdor.
“For me, the more I heal, the more I can remember. And the more I can remember, the more I will never forget," she continued. "I want to thank my family and my advocates for their unwavering support, and am grateful for all the kindness and encouragement that I have received. I am glad to put this chapter of my life to rest as I turn to focus on the conclusion of my pregnancy, I ask for privacy for me and for my growing family.”
Prosecutors called Ventura to the witness stand on the second day of Combs' trial. She testified about how Combs recruited her to participate in his sex parties a.k.a. "freak-offs" after they got into a relationship when she was 22. Ventura explained how he allegedly abused her physically, verbally and sexually on multiple occasions during and after their sexual encounters with paid escorts, which sometimes lasted days.
Ventura also made some stunning revelations about life after she tried to leave Combs for good. She recalled how Combs reacted after she found out about her relationship with rapper Kid Cudi and testified that he threatened to harm them both and blow up Cudi's car. During cross-examination, Ventura also revealed an incident when she FaceTimed her now-husband Fine while she was having sex with Combs. Fine, who attended the trial hearings with Ventura, also issued a statement in which he defended his wife.
“I did not save Cassie, as some have said," Fine said in his statement. "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," he added. "Her life is now surrounded by love, laughter and our family,” he added. “This horrific chapter is forever put behind us, and we will not be making additional statements. We appreciate all of the love and support we have received, and we ask that you respect our privacy as we welcome our son into a world that is now safer because of his mom.”
Combs is facing five counts of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. The charges aren't related to his violent relationship with Ventura, however, the prosecution called upon her to help illustrate Combs' alleged pattern of abuse with his romantic partners. If convicted, Combs could face life in prison.