In a dramatic courtroom revelation, male exotic dancer Sharay Hayes, known as "The Punisher," disclosed how he uncovered the identity of his client, Sean "Diddy" Combs, during his ongoing sex trafficking trial in New York City. Hayes turned on the hotel suite television to find a greeting that read, "Welcome Sean Combs," prior to a scheduled encounter.
Testifying about his first experience with Combs and his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, Hayes recounted being instructed not to acknowledge Combs, who was obscured by a veil. The meeting took place in a lavish Trump Tower suite where Ventura welcomed Hayes wearing only a bathrobe. Hayes described the unsettling atmosphere, noting that the room was covered in sheets with baby oil scattered around.
His testimony followed evidence presented by Daniel Phillip, who alleged being compensated to have sex with Ventura while Combs observed. On the same day, the court heard from Regina Ventura, Cassie's mother, who presented damning evidence against Combs. An email from December 2011 detailed Combs' threats to Cassie, including references to explicit tapes and physical harm that would be inflicted upon her.
Regina also testified about her daughter's injuries, depicting bruises on Cassie's body that she attributed to Combs' violence. Adding to the tension, she revealed that Combs had demanded $20,000 due to perceived expenditures for Cassie. Out of fear for her daughter's safety, Regina complied, only to see the money returned to their account days later without communication.
The trial, expected to span several weeks, may lead to severe repercussions for Combs. The defense has countered allegations with cross-examinations revealing inconsistencies in testimony from previous witnesses. The stakes are high for the famed hip-hop mogul, who could face a life sentence if convicted of the charges he firmly denies.
