Male exotic dancer Sharay Hayes, who goes by 'The Punisher,' provided startling testimony in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' ongoing sex trafficking trial as he recounted his unexpected discovery of the hip-hop mogul's identity. Hayes revealed that his realization came when he switched on the television in a luxury hotel suite, which displayed a welcome message for "Sean Combs."
During his statement in the New York courtroom, Hayes described being hired to perform sexual scenes involving Combs' then-girlfriend, Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, while Combs observed from the sidelines. Initially, Hayes didn't recognize the masked man in the room but recounted how he was instructed not to acknowledge his presence.
The encounter took place in a hotel room located in Trump Tower, where Cassie greeted Hayes in a bathrobe, and the room was notably covered with sheets and littered with bottles of baby oil. Hayes’ testimony follows prior allegations made in the court by Daniel Phillip, who claimed to have been paid to engage in sexual acts with Ventura with Combs watching.
Further emphasizing the tension surrounding this case, Cassie's mother, Regina Ventura, also took the stand, presenting an email from Cassie which described threats made by Combs against her life—including chilling statements about releasing explicit sex tapes and orchestrating harm from a distance.
Alongside the email disclosure, Regina presented photographs showing bruises on Cassie, alleging they were inflicted by Combs. She recounted an instance where Combs demanded $20,000 out of anger regarding money he had spent on Cassie, which led the family to fend off fears for Cassie's safety by complying with the demand via a loan.
The prosecution presented compelling evidence of a toxic and abusive relationship, while the defense vigorously cross-examined earlier testimonies to challenge credibility. Combs, who has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges including racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution, faces a potentially severe life sentence should he be found guilty in this high-profile case that is anticipated to progress for several more weeks.
