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Sean Combs— Case Archive
2025 Federal Trialtrial-daytrial-dayMeredith FosterEmily A. JohnsonMary C. SlavikMadison R. SmyserMarc A. AgnifiloXavier R. DonaldsonGerard GannonSharay Dashawn HayesDavid JamesRegina VenturadirectcrossredirectrecrossDay 11 - May 20, 2025David James completed testimony; Regina Ventura and Sharay Dashawn Hayes testified, and an HSI agent began describing the Miami property search.
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Day 11 - May 20, 2025

David James Testifies; Regina Ventura and Sharay Hayes Take the Stand

Judge Arun Subramanian
13Proceedings
5Pages
4Witnesses
3,397Lines
2Sidebars
Day 11 of 39
Appearing:
Meredith Foster Emily A. Johnson Mary C. Slavik Madison R. Smyser Marc A. Agnifilo Xavier R. Donaldson Gerard Gannon Sharay Dashawn Hayes David James Regina Ventura

David James completed testimony; Regina Ventura and Sharay Dashawn Hayes testified, and an HSI agent began describing the Miami property search.

Full day summary

The court addressed proposed testimony from Regina Ventura concerning a $20,000 payment, deferring a final admissibility ruling until the government laid its proposed foundation. It also overruled a defense objection to anticipated testimony about the Mel's Diner incident. David James completed his testimony. On direct, he described work for Sean Combs, hotel preparations and cash purchases, drug-related errands, workplace searches, and driving Combs and D-Roc back to Mel's Diner while, James said, Combs had three handguns on his lap. Cross-examination examined omissions and uncertainties in James's earlier accounts, including his account of Mel's Diner and a Saint-Tropez cocaine purchase. On redirect and recross, James testified about telling Combs that he had filed a police report concerning Chef Jordan when he had not done so. Regina Ventura testified about a December 2011 email from Casandra, the $20,000 wire transfer that was later returned, photographs she took of Casandra, and later interactions involving Mia and Sean Combs. Sharay Dashawn Hayes described hotel encounters involving Casandra Ventura and Combs, then testified on cross-examination that he did not see filming or violence and limited his observations to what he perceived. HSI Special Agent Gerard Gannon began testimony about the Miami search of Combs's 2 Star Island property; the court admitted photographs and physical exhibits including firearm components, magazines, and ammunition.

1. Morning Admissibility Matters

Before the jury entered, the court addressed anticipated testimony from Regina Ventura and David James, deferring one ruling and allowing the other testimony.

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Procedural
Morning Session Opening
6 lines
Procedural
Admissibility of Regina Ventura's $20,000 Payment Testimony
35 lines

The court deferred a final ruling on proposed testimony about a $20,000 payment, directing the government to lay its foundation before the defense renewed its objection.

Procedural
Admissibility of David James's Mel's Diner Testimony
47 lines

The court overruled a defense objection and allowed anticipated Mel's Diner testimony as alleged enterprise evidence.

Highlights

Admissibility of Regina Ventura's $20,000 Payment TestimonyrulingThe court deferred a final admissibility decision, permitting the defense to object when the testimony was offered after the government laid its proposed foundation.

2. David James — Direct/Cross/Redirect/Recross (Part 2)

David James continued testimony about his work for Sean Combs before defense questioning focused on his accounts and recollection.

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Direct
David James — Direct David James Mary C. Slavik
547 lines

David James described hotel-room logistics, drug-related tasks, security practices, and an armed return to Mel's Diner after a reported encounter involving Suge Knight.

Cross
David James — Cross David James Marc A. Agnifilo
1053 lines

The defense challenged David James's memory and prior accounts while eliciting admissions about his work conduct, unrecorded purchases, and a cocaine purchase.

1 sidebar inside this proceeding
  1. David James Cross-Examination ScopeAt sidebar, defense counsel sought to question David James about an alleged physical confrontation and estimated 10 to 15 minutes remained in cross-examination.
Redirect
David James — Redirect David James Mary C. Slavik
47 lines

David James said he declined to file a police report he believed would be false after an incident involving Chef Jordan.

Recross
David James — Recross David James Marc A. Agnifilo
40 lines

James acknowledged he never told Combs that he had not filed the police report; the court sustained a later objection.

Highlights

David James — Directtestimony highlightJames testified that after D-Roc reported seeing Suge Knight with a gun at Mel's Diner, he drove Combs and D-Roc back to the diner in an Escalade; James said Combs had three handguns on his lap.David James — CrossimpeachmentJames acknowledged that his first account to the government omitted the later part of the Mel's Diner episode, including the return to the house and guns.David James — Redirect“I didn't want to make a false police report and lie to the police.”— David JamesJames explained why he said he did not file the requested report.

3. Regina Ventura — Direct

Regina Ventura testified about Casandra's reported threats, her family's attempted $20,000 payment to a Bad Boy account, and photographs of Casandra's bruising.

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Direct
Regina Ventura — Direct Regina Ventura Emily A. Johnson
332 lines

Regina Ventura described a 2011 email, a $20,000 wire transfer, photographs of Casandra's bruising, and a 2016 dispute involving Sean Combs.

Highlights

Regina Ventura — Directtestimony highlightVentura read a December 2011 email from Casandra describing threats attributed to Sean Combs, then testified that she and her husband obtained and wired $20,000 before the money returned several days later.

4. Sharay Dashawn Hayes — Direct/Cross/Redirect/Recross

Sharay Dashawn Hayes completed testimony about paid hotel encounters involving Cassie Ventura and Sean Combs, with questioning focused on what he personally observed.

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Direct
Sharay Dashawn Hayes — Direct Sharay Dashawn Hayes Meredith Foster
379 lines

Sharay Dashawn Hayes described repeated paid hotel encounters involving Ms. Ventura and Mr. Sean Combs, then qualified details in his later book account.

Cross
Sharay Dashawn Hayes — Cross Sharay Dashawn Hayes Xavier R. Donaldson
299 lines

Hayes denied developing feelings for Cassie and described his limited personal observations of the encounters, including no perceived discomfort, drug impairment, filming, or violence.

Redirect
Sharay Dashawn Hayes — Redirect Sharay Dashawn Hayes Meredith Foster
71 lines

Hayes qualified his assumption that Ventura enjoyed one encounter and described her attention to Combs's directions during the encounters.

Recross
Sharay Dashawn Hayes — Recross Sharay Dashawn Hayes Xavier R. Donaldson
78 lines

Hayes qualified his interpretation of Ventura's engagement during one encounter, and the court resolved that upcoming physical evidence would be displayed rather than passed among jurors.

1 sidebar inside this proceeding
  1. Physical Evidence DisplayThe parties discussed whether jurors should handle physical evidence, with the government stating it would display items rather than pass them out.

Highlights

Sharay Dashawn Hayes — Directtestimony highlightHayes testified that Combs was present during the encounters, gave Ventura directions about lighting, positioning, and at times sexual activity, while Hayes and Ventura engaged in sexual activity.Sharay Dashawn Hayes — Direct“Yeah. I sensationalize it based on trying to put together an entertaining story for the book.”— Sharay Dashawn HayesHayes qualified the accuracy and purpose of his published account.

5. Gerard Gannon — Direct (Part 1)

HSI Special Agent Gerard Gannon described the search of Sean Combs's Miami Beach property and identified items recovered from a closet identified as room R, including firearms-related items, ammunition, clothing, and personal products.

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Direct
Gerard Gannon — Direct Gerard Gannon Madison R. Smyser
463 lines

HSI agent Gerard Gannon described the 2 Star Island search, evidence-handling procedures, and firearm-related items recovered from a closet; the court admitted numerous search exhibits.

Highlights

Gerard Gannon — Directevidence eventGannon testified that AR-15 upper and lower receivers, loaded magazines, ammunition, and other items were found in room R; the related physical firearm components and ammunition were admitted.
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