Sean “Diddy” Combs’ attorney insinuated Friday that the mogul’s previously undisclosed bipolar disorder could be linked to his alleged 2018 sexual assault of Cassie Ventura.
The diagnosis came up when defense attorney Anna Estevao asked Ventura in Manhattan federal court about what she had told investigators regarding Combs’ mood the night of the alleged rape.
Ventura testified that she said Combs was acting “strangely” earlier that night at dinner — “nice, but strangely” — and that he “wasn’t in his right mind” because when she pleaded with him to stop, he didn’t.
Combs’ attorney then asked Ventura to confirm whether she told prosecutors that “his behavior [that night] could be attributed to his bipolar disorder.”
Ventura muttered, “I guess so.”
The exchange was the first time the defense mentioned a potential bipolar diagnosis at Combs’ sex trafficking and racketeering trial.
But Combs’ volatile moods hav came up frequently during the proceedings, especially as his ex-girlfriend Ventura took the stand.
She testified the mogul’s moods affected every aspect of her life during their tumultuous decade together.
“They affected my whole life, my career, how I felt about myself, my self worth,” the R&B singer said.
Ventura, while being questioned by prosecutors after a marathon two-day grilling by defense, also recounted how Combs’ desire to hold depraved “freak-off” sex parties consumed their lives.
“If he was in the mood to have a freak off, my work would take the back seat,” she said.
Her testimony wrapped Friday, following four grueling days on the stand.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to charges including sex-trafficking and racketeering.
He could face life in prison if convicted at trial, which is expected to last through June.
