The Diddy Trial: Breaking Down The Testimony Of Sharay "The Punisher" Hayes On Day 7 (5/21/25)

Beyond The Horizon

On Day 7 of Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial, Sharay Hayes, a male exotic dancer known as "The Punisher," provided detailed testimony about his involvement in orchestrated sexual encounters, referred to as "freak-offs," involving Combs and singer Cassie Ventura. Hayes recounted that his first encounter occurred in 2012 at a Trump Tower suite in New York City, where he was instructed by Ventura to perform a "sexy scene" while a man, later identified as Combs, observed silently from a distance, wearing a veil over his face. Over the next few years, Hayes participated in approximately eight to twelve such sessions, during which Combs would direct the activities, including instructing on positioning and lighting. Hayes noted that while he never witnessed drug use during these encounters, he felt pressure and discomfort, sometimes resorting to medication for performance anxiety. He also observed signs of frustration from Cassie during these events, suggesting a lack of enthusiasm or consent.
During cross-examination, Hayes stated that he did not perceive Cassie as being forced into these encounters, describing her as a "willing participant." However, he acknowledged that she occasionally winced or sighed at Combs' instructions and often looked to Combs for approval before proceeding with certain acts. Hayes also mentioned that he was paid $800 upon arrival and an additional $1,200 after declining to "finish," indicating the transactional nature of these sessions. His testimony provides insight into the alleged power dynamics and control exerted by Combs over Ventura, contributing to the prosecution's narrative of a pattern of coercion and abuse.
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