Dawn Richard Testifies in Diddy Trial: “We Feared for Our Lives”

JB Quinnon
4 days ago
2 min read

Dawn Richard Testifies in Diddy Trial: “We Feared for Our Lives”

In a powerful courtroom moment that added gravity to an already explosive trial, singer-songwriter Dawn Richard took the stand on May 16, 2025, as part of the ongoing federal sex trafficking case against music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs.

Richard, known for her roles in Danity Kane and Diddy – Dirty Money, testified under oath that she witnessed multiple disturbing instances of violence between Diddy and Casandra “Cassie” Ventura during their time working together.

Testimony Highlights:

Richard recounted a specific 2009 incident in which she alleged Diddy attempted to strike Cassie with a skillet before violently beating and dragging her.
She and fellow bandmate Kalenna Harper were present but frozen with fear. “We didn’t intervene. We were scared,” Richard testified.
The next day, Diddy allegedly threatened both women, warning them that those who speak out can “go missing.”
Richard’s account strongly corroborated Cassie’s earlier testimony, which spanned four days and included allegations of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.

This is not Richard’s first public action against Combs. In September 2024, she filed her own lawsuit against him, citing a pattern of physical abuse, gender-based verbal harassment, and intimidation tactics. She also claimed she was denied royalties and endured toxic working conditions throughout their collaboration.

Coinciding with her testimony, Diddy’s legal team filed a motion to dismiss her civil lawsuit, raising eyebrows over the timing and optics of the filing.

Public Response and Broader Impact

Cassie concluded her testimony with a call for solidarity among survivors of abuse, saying she hopes her story can empower others. Richard, now continuing her testimony, adds another firsthand voice to a growing number of women leveling serious accusations against the music icon.