Exotic Dancer 'The Punisher' Details Testimony in Diddy Trial

The Punisher's Introduction and Career Path

• 🏀 Sharay Hayes, known as "The Punisher," explains his nickname originated from his basketball talent in his late teens.
• 💔 He transitioned into male stripping at age 22 after a difficult breakup, viewing it as a way to prove a point.

First Encounter with Cassie Ventura and Sean Combs

• 📅 In 2012, Hayes was booked for a private party by "Janet" for what he believed was a birthday celebration at the Trump International Hotel.
• 😮 Upon arrival, he was met by Cassie Ventura, who instructed him to participate in a staged "sexy scene" with her husband, Sean "Diddy" Combs, who would be watching.
• 💰 Hayes was paid $800 for the initial session, significantly more than his usual $200 fee, and was instructed to wear only a towel and apply baby oil.
• 🎭 He described the surreal experience of Combs, nude and wearing a face covering, observing the scene while Hayes and Ventura applied oil to each other.

Subsequent Encounters and Discovery of Identity

• 🗓️ Over the next 2.5 years (Fall 2012 to Spring 2015), Hayes was periodically called back for similar encounters every 3-4 months.
• 📈 These sessions escalated to include oral and penetrative sex, blurring the lines with escorting, though Hayes maintained he never advertised sex for sale.
• 🔍 It took Hayes about a year to 15 months to discover the identities of his clients through a hotel welcome message that displayed "Mr. Sean Combs."
• 📱 He realized he had been following Combs on Instagram the entire time without recognizing him.

Testimony in the Diddy Trial

• ⚖️ Hayes was contacted by investigators in Spring 2024 and initially downplayed his involvement, not believing he would testify.
• 📞 He was later contacted again and offered an attorney, leading to extensive interviews and confirmation he would be a witness.
• 😨 The courtroom experience was overwhelming, causing anxiety and physical symptoms like trembling hands and difficulty speaking.
• 🤫 Hayes made a conscious effort to avoid eye contact with everyone in the courtroom, including attorneys, the jury, and Combs, to maintain neutrality and focus on factual testimony.

Observations and Reflections

• 🧐 Hayes believes his testimony may have been called to support the prosecution's claims of Combs's control, noting Combs's subtle directions and occasional frustration from Ventura.
• 🤔 He never perceived Ventura as being under duress during their interactions, stating the scenarios seemed consensual and cordial from his perspective.
• 🙏 Hayes expressed a willingness to apologize to Ventura, acknowledging his participation and the possibility that he could have contributed to her negative experiences, regardless of his own perceptions.