Diddy On Trial: Ex-Employee Says Diddy Threatened to 'Go Kill' Kid Cudi
BBC Sounds, Hosted by Anushka Mutandadi
Release Date: May 28, 2025

Introduction to the Trial

In the third week of Sean "Diddy" Combs' high-profile trial at the Southern District Court in Lower Manhattan, New York, tensions remain high as the prosecution continues to present a compelling case against one of hip-hop's most influential figures. Diddy stands accused of sex trafficking, racketeering with conspiracy, and transportation for prostitution—charges he has consistently denied. Anushka Mutandadi, the host, provides a detailed account of the unfolding proceedings, emphasizing the sustained public interest and the presence of numerous individuals seeking glimpses of the courtroom drama.

Key Points:

• Charges Faced by Diddy: Sex trafficking, racketeering with conspiracy, and transportation for prostitution.
• Trial Progress: In week three, with 60 witnesses already testifying, including former partners, assistants, FBI agents, and artists from Diddy's Bad Boy Records.
• Public Interest: Continuous crowd presence outside the courthouse, including individuals involved in civil lawsuits against Diddy.

Capricorn Clark's Testimony: A Chronicle of Threats and Intimidation

A pivotal moment in the trial emerged with the testimony of Capricorn Clark, a former employee of Bad Boy Records. Clark's accounts paint a disturbing picture of Diddy's management style, marked by intimidation and coercion.

Initial Threats and Intimidation (01:43): Capricorn Clark detailed her experiences working closely with Diddy from 2004 to 2018. She recounted her terrifying first encounter:

"Even on my first day on the job, Diddy threatened my life over my past work with Suge Knight." (01:43)

Clark explained that Diddy, accompanied by Uncle Paulie, a security officer, took her to Central Park at night after 9 PM. Despite his initially calm demeanor, Diddy expressed extreme anger when Clark failed to disclose her previous affiliations, leading to a threat that left her fearing for her safety.

Interrogation Over Missing Jewelry (03:12): In another harrowing incident from 2004, Clark described being forced to undergo a five-day lie detector test after a batch of diamond jewelry, entrusted to her by Diddy before a flight to Miami, went missing. She was taken to an unfinished building, later becoming Bad Boy's headquarters, where she faced a menacing man:

"He threatened to throw me in the East River if I failed the test." (03:12)

The Miami Home Incident and Resignation (04:22): In the summer of 2006, Clark recounted an incident at Diddy's Miami home in Star Island:

"Diddy was furious with me for taking too long on an errand. When I complained, he charged at me, pushing me hard and telling me to get the F out of his house." (06:15)

This confrontation marked the first time Clark left her position with Diddy, highlighting a boundary that, once crossed, forced her to reconsider her working relationship. Despite this, she eventually returned to working with Diddy, driven by personal circumstances.

The Kid Cudi Incident: Allegations of Arson and Assault

A significant focus of the trial revolves around allegations involving the rapper Kid Cudi. Capricorn Clark provided a detailed account of Diddy's purported attempt to harm Cudi, linking it to broader charges under the RICO Act.

Diddy's Threat to Kid Cudi (04:32): Clark described a dramatic scenario where Diddy, enraged by Cassie's involvement with Kid Cudi, orchestrated a plan to harm Cudi:

"Diddy came charging at Kid Cudi's house with a gun, demanding that we come with him to kill Cudi." (04:32)

Accompanied by his security guard, Diddy and Clark entered Cudi's Los Angeles residence. Meanwhile, Clark, fearing for her life, used a burner phone to alert Cassie:

"Cassie, Diddy has me with a gun and he's breaking into Cudi's house to kill him." (04:32)

Assault on Cassie (06:21): Following the incident, Clark witnessed Diddy assaulting Cassie:

"Diddy kept kicking Cassie over and over, and no one intervened. She was in a fetal position, silently weeping." (06:21)

Clark felt powerless to stop the abuse but took action by contacting Cassie's mother:

"I told her to call the police because Diddy was beating your daughter." (06:21)

Email Evidence and RICO Charges

The prosecution has strategically utilized email correspondence to strengthen their case under the RICO Act, which necessitates proving that Diddy operated a criminal enterprise committing multiple offenses over a decade.

December 2011 Email and Coercion (07:12): Clark presented a crucial December 2011 email from Cassie, sent just before the alleged arson of her vehicle, in which Cassie detailed threats from Diddy. This email serves as circumstantial evidence tying Diddy to coercive tactics intended to control Cassie's actions and silence her.

Prosecutors' Strategy (07:12 - 08:15): By reinforcing the content of this email, prosecutors aim to demonstrate a pattern of coercion and intimidation, essential for establishing the RICO elements. Clark's testimony about the threats Cassie endured underscores the systemic nature of Diddy's alleged criminal activities.

Insights from Rolling Stone's Cheyenne Roundtree

Outside the courtroom, Cheyenne Roundtree from Rolling Stone provided additional context and analysis on the trial's developments.

Control Over Cassie's Career (08:55): Roundtree highlighted how prosecutors argue that Diddy exerted substantial control over Cassie's professional life:

"Prosecutors have stated that much of Cassie's career was controlled and restricted by Combs." (08:55)

Arson Investigation Linked to the Trial (09:28): The discussion shifted to the 2016 arson incident involving Cassie's vehicle. Clark received a call from the Los Angeles Fire Department regarding the investigation but chose to disengage:

"I just wanted it to be over with all the drama between Sean and Cassie." (09:28)

Email Exchanges as Evidence of Desperation (10:03): Capricorn's emotional emails pleaded for forgiveness and a return to normalcy within the music industry, revealing her entanglement in Diddy's influence:

"I just wanted my life back. I just wanted to work in the music industry." (10:03)

Blacklisting and Job Market Manipulation (12:11): Clark described efforts by Diddy and his associates to thwart her employment opportunities elsewhere. Instances included being followed at talent agencies and receiving misleading job opportunities that served as warnings rather than genuine offers:

"I felt that I was literally blacklisted from institutions where I previously had relationships." (12:11)

Prosecution's Reinforcement of the Case

During cross-examinations, the prosecution consistently reinforced the narrative of Diddy's pervasive control and manipulation within his enterprise.

Re-establishing Diddy and Cassie's Relationship (12:37): Prosecutors emphasized the intertwined professional and personal relationships between Diddy and Cassie:

"Cassie had to get approval for her look, her song releases, her career decisions—all through Combs." (12:47)

Impact on Cassie's Career Trajectory (12:47): Cassie's artistic output and public image were tightly controlled, with Diddy wielding significant influence over her career milestones:

"If they were fighting, photo shoots would be taken away, music videos would be withheld until terms improved." (12:47)

Conclusion and Ongoing Proceedings

As the episode concludes, the gravity of the allegations against Diddy remains pronounced, with the prosecution meticulously building a case that portrays a consistent pattern of intimidation, control, and criminal activity spanning over a decade. The integration of Capricorn Clark's testimony with corroborative evidence from emails and witness accounts reinforces the prosecution's stance under the RICO Act.

Looking Ahead: The trial continues to unfold, with upcoming episodes expected to delve deeper into additional testimonies and evidence, further illuminating the complex and controversial nature of Sean "Diddy" Combs' professional and personal conduct.

Notable Quotes:

• "Even on my first day on the job, Diddy threatened my life over my past work with Suge Knight." – Capricorn Clark (01:43)
• "He threatened to throw me in the East River if I failed the test." – Capricorn Clark (03:12)
• "Diddy was furious with me for taking too long on an errand." – Capricorn Clark (06:15)
• "Diddy has me with a gun and he's breaking into Cudi's house to kill him." – Capricorn Clark (04:32)
• "Later, Diddy kept kicking Cassie over and over, and no one intervened." – Capricorn Clark (06:21)
• "I just wanted my life back. I just wanted to work in the music industry." – Capricorn Clark (10:03)
• "I felt that I was literally blacklisted from institutions where I previously had relationships." – Capricorn Clark (12:11)

For those seeking support or more information about the issues discussed in this episode, visit BBC.co.uk/actionline.