Male exotic dancer Sharay “The Punisher” Hayes tells TMZ that he agrees with the verdict in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial.
”I think the verdict is actually the right one, in my opinion,” Hayes said. “I always saw it as more of a domestic violence scenario.”
Hayes appeared to imply that a juror would see the evidence presented to them in the case, and determine that Combs and Cassie Ventura were involved in a long-term, loving relationship.
”Taking myself out of the situation, and just trying to look at it from an individual, like a juror would, when you see this long-term, loving relationship with—this is his girlfriend,” he said. “Also, multiple scenarios where the sexual lifestyle was consented. It was just hard for me to shift—this is just a domestic violence different type of relationship to a criminal sex trafficking scenario.”
Hayes testified in Diddy’s trial in May, saying he was involved in “between eight and twelve” sessions that involved him and Cassie applying “a considerable amount” of baby oil on each other.
“[Diddy] would at some point come into the the room, sit in the distance, gave subtle directions to Ms. Ventura based on…angles, lighting, positioning, and sometimes the sexual activity,” he said.
Hayes recalled Diddy watching while he and Cassie engaged in oral sex and intercourse.
Hayes told TMZ that he also agrees with the belief that his testimony played an important role in Combs’ acquittal on the sex trafficking charge.
”I feel like if the deciding factor of the sex trafficking charge was gonna be based on consent or lack thereof, I definitely feel like my testimony could’ve possibly influenced the way it was viewed,” he said.
Hayes admitted he feels “terribly” for Cassie and Jane Doe because the trial forced them to disclose the extent of their sexual acts.
Combs will remain behind bars until his sentencing on Oct. 3 after Judge Arun Subramanian denied his request to be released on bail.
