Anna M. Estevao

Trial 12025 Federal TrialMay 5, 2025 – Jul 2, 2025

Anna M. Estevao served as defense trial counsel, cross-examining Casandra Ventura over Days 8 and 9 and Mylah Morales on Day 13. She also addressed proposed exhibit and text-message evidence before Ventura's cross-examination.

Day 6

May 13, 2025

ProceduralVentura Evidence Admissibility Ruling7lines spoken

Summary

The court allowed limited use of a reported bar-fight incident in a text-message exchange while excluding the other proposed incidents.

RedirectDaniel Phillip — RedirectDaniel PhillipMaurene R. Comey4lines spoken

Summary

Phillip explained his purpose in sending a text message, and the court deferred a Rule 615 dispute over Alex Fine's presence until the jury briefly left.

sidebarPotential Witness ExclusionDuring Daniel Phillip — Redirect3lines spoken

Summary

The parties discussed whether Cassie Ventura's husband should be excluded as a potential defense witness while she testified.

DirectCasandra Ventura — DirectCasandra VenturaEmily A. Johnson30lines spoken

Summary

Ventura described alleged abuse, control, and freak-offs involving escorts, drugs, hotels, and Combs's staff; the court admitted multiple related exhibits.

sidebarLimiting Repetitive Supply QuestionsDuring Casandra Ventura — Direct2lines spoken

Summary

At sidebar, the parties discussed limiting repetitive questioning while the government outlined further testimony about supplies.

DirectCasandra Ventura Direct — Return to Open CourtCasandra VenturaEmily A. Johnson25lines spoken

Summary

Ventura described alleged control of freak-offs, escort arrangements, drugs, recordings, and a Century City hotel incident; the court provisionally restricted press access to video exhibits.

Day 7

May 14, 2025

DirectCasandra Ventura — DirectCasandra VenturaEmily A. Johnson22lines spoken

Summary

Ventura testified about the InterContinental incident, escort arrangements, alleged threats involving recorded sexual material, alleged violence, and related exhibits.

DirectCasandra Ventura — Direct (Resumed)Casandra VenturaEmily A. Johnson32lines spoken

Summary

Ventura testified about alleged assaults, injuries, staff and security involvement, threats involving recorded sexual material, and exhibits including photographs, messages, and sealed video stills.

sidebarClarifying Abuse-Testimony QuestionsDuring Casandra Ventura — Direct (Resumed)4lines spoken

Summary

Counsel objected that generalized questions about physical abuse over an 11-year relationship were vague, cumulative, and difficult to address without identifying particular events.

DirectCasandra Ventura — Direct (Resumed)Casandra VenturaEmily A. Johnson11lines spoken

Summary

Ventura described alleged 2018 rape, drug dependency, texts, treatment, and a $20 million civil settlement; the court addressed Rule 412 issues before cross.

sidebarRule 412 and Cross TimingDuring Casandra Ventura — Direct (Resumed)3lines spoken

Summary

The parties discussed potential Rule 412 objections to questions about the witness's relationships and whether cross-examination should continue that day.

Day 8

May 15, 2025

ProceduralRule 412 Evidentiary Ruling and Exhibit Disclosures5lines spoken

Summary

The court excluded challenged text-message content under Rule 412, while allowing other relationship questioning and possible redactions; it also pressed the parties to resolve defense-exhibit disclosure disputes.

CrossCasandra Ventura — CrossCasandra VenturaAnna M. Estevao553lines spoken

Summary

Ventura was cross-examined with admitted messages about her relationship with Combs and freak-offs; she qualified the defense's characterizations, denied wanting recordings, and described keeping the encounters secret.

sidebarStreamlining Text-Message Exhibit ReviewDuring Casandra Ventura — Cross1line spoken

Summary

The sidebar addressed streamlining the review and admission of text-message exhibits while conserving jury time.

CrossCasandra Ventura — Cross ResumesCasandra VenturaAnna M. Estevao1,320lines spoken

Summary

Defense cross-examined Ventura with messages about freak-offs, drug use, and relationship conflicts; she gave several qualified answers and the court set limits for completing the cross.

Day 9

May 16, 2025

ProceduralPre-Cross Exhibit Admissibility Conference18lines spoken

Summary

The court resolved several exhibit-handling issues before cross-examination resumed and deferred argument over a disputed text message.

CrossCasandra Ventura — CrossCasandra VenturaAnna M. Estevao747lines spoken

Summary

Defense cross-examined Casandra Ventura with messages and recordings about the relationship, alleged 2018 rape chronology, later contact with Mr. Combs, and exhibit procedures.

sidebarExhibit Display and Refreshing ProcedureDuring Casandra Ventura — Cross1line spoken

Summary

The sidebar addressed how to display documents for authentication or refreshing recollection and raised concern about materials not previously provided.

sidebarWillow House Questioning ObjectionsDuring Casandra Ventura — Cross6lines spoken

Summary

The sidebar addressed anticipated objections to questioning about Willow House, references to sex trafficking, and what Ms. Ventura was or was not in rehab for.

sidebarObjection to Question CharacterizationDuring Casandra Ventura — Cross1line spoken

Summary

Defense counsel objected that the question mischaracterized the witness's earlier testimony about whether prosecutors had shown her a message.

ProceduralMidday Evidentiary Hearing8lines spoken

Summary

The court resolved disputed exhibit redactions, sustained an objection to part of Government Exhibit B-426, and set procedures for additional exhibits and video presentation.

CrossCasandra Ventura — CrossCasandra VenturaAnna M. Estevao101lines spoken

Summary

Defense counsel examined Ventura on post-relationship messages, treatment, the 2023 settlement and canceled tour, and a 2012 message about a freak-off.

RedirectCasandra Ventura — RedirectCasandra VenturaEmily A. Johnson34lines spoken

Summary

Ventura said freak-offs and Sean's moods affected her career and sense of self, reaffirmed key allegations of violence and rape, and described why she said she did not feel able to refuse freak-offs.

RecrossCasandra Ventura — RecrossCasandra VenturaAnna M. Estevao208lines spoken

Summary

Defense recrossed Casandra Ventura on messages, freak-off videos, Combs's drug use, her career, and an anticipated InterContinental settlement.

sidebarCross-Examination Conduct GuidanceDuring Casandra Ventura — Recross4lines spoken

Summary

At sidebar, the court addressed conduct during cross-examination and noted that counsel had about fifteen minutes remaining.

RecrossCasandra Ventura — RecrossCasandra VenturaAnna M. Estevao3lines spoken

Summary

Ventura confirmed the timing of an InterContinental settlement, and the court clarified the scope of anticipated Dawn Richard testimony.

Day 13

May 22, 2025

RedirectScott Mescudi — RedirectScott MescudiEmily A. Johnson9lines spoken

Summary

Mescudi reinforced his account of Ventura's reported fear and abuse allegations; the court later struck a Rule 412 question and ruled on disputed defense photographs.

DirectMylah Morales — DirectMylah MoralesMaurene R. Comey4lines spoken

Summary

Morales testified that she heard yelling behind a hotel-room door in 2010 and later saw Ventura injured; she said fear kept her from calling police.

CrossMylah Morales — CrossMylah MoralesAnna M. Estevao156lines spoken

Summary

Morales confirmed she did not see inside the hotel bedroom; the defense introduced photographs and questioned her about media interviews.

Day 15

May 28, 2025

ProceduralPre-Testimony Evidentiary Rulings7lines spoken

Summary

The court resolved pre-testimony evidentiary disputes, including proposed statements by Ms. Ventura, defense exhibits, and future questioning limits.

Day 33

Jun 24, 2025

ProceduralEvidentiary Objections and Rulings42lines spoken

Summary

The court resolved objections to several proposed defense exhibits, excluding some messages, allowing others, and admitting a redacted Exhibit 1417A.

ProceduralDefense Case by Stipulation5lines spoken

Summary

Defense exhibits and stipulations were admitted; the defense rested, the government declined rebuttal, and closings were scheduled for Thursday.

Day 36

Jun 27, 2025

ProceduralPre-closing exhibit and verdict-form conference4lines spoken

Summary

The court set Monday delivery of jury materials, accepted agreed exhibit corrections, and permitted a defense demonstrative for closing.

Day 37

Jun 30, 2025

ProceduralPre-Charge Exhibit List Logistics4lines spoken

Summary

The court set a process for giving jurors an agreed paper exhibit list after instructions.

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Trial Record (34)

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