Cassie’s lawyer praises her “gracious” testimony

Um it's hard to put into words how honored I have been to represent Cassie Ventura

Um since we filed her civil complaint in November of 2023, she has shown such great courage and

bravery for stepping forward and she has now testified throughout this entire week

she's done so under the most difficult of circumstances, just about to give birth to

her third child and under some very difficult circumstances because of the subject matter

of what she testified to. Putting that aside, she was able to do so poignantly. She was able to do so

graciously. And it's a real testament to who she is and the support that she has

I have a statement from her, and I also have a statement from her husband, which I'll read in a moment

But before I do, there's a few people I want to thank. Most importantly I want to thank my partner Meredith who here as well as the other attorneys who worked on the case at our firm including Kat Basque who also here And I also want to thank of course the excellent attorneys in the U Attorney Office

who have really been great lawyers, but also just great people who have made Cassie feel comfortable in the process

I would also like to thank the court staff who have made our appearance this week easy, the Department of Homeland Security, the Marshals

And with that, I'd just like to read a statement that Cassie just prepared, as well as her husband

They're two separate statements. I'll read Cassie's first. This week has been extremely challenging, but also remarkably empowering and healing for me

I hope that my testimony has given strength and a voice to other survivors

and can help others who have suffered to speak up and also heal from abuse and fear

For me the more I heal the more I can remember And the more I can remember the more I will never forget I want to thank my family and my advocates for their unwavering support

and I'm grateful for all the kindness and encouragement that I have received

I'm glad to put this chapter of my life to rest. As I turn to focus on the conclusion of my pregnancy

I ask for privacy from me and from my growing family. And then I have a statement from Alex Fine

Over the past five days, the world has gotten to witness the strength and bravery of my wife

freeing herself of her past. There has been speculation online surrounding how it must feel for me to sit there and listen to my wife's testimony

I have felt so many things sitting there. I have felt tremendous pride and overwhelming love for Cass

I have felt profound anger that she has been subjected to sitting in front of a person who

tried to break her. So to him and all of those who helped him along the way please know this you did not You did not break her spirit nor her smile that lights up every room You did not break the souls of a mother who gives the best hugs

and plays the silliest games with our little girls. You did not break the woman who has made me a better man

I did not save Cassie, as some have said. To say that is an insult to the years of painful work my wife has done to save herself

Cassie saved Cassie. She alone broke free from abuse, coercion, violence and threats

She did the work of fighting the demons that only a demon himself could have done to her

All I have done is love her as she has loved me

Her life is now surrounded by love, laughter and our family. This horrific chapter is forever put behind us and we will not be making additional statements

additional statements. We appreciate all of the love and support we have received

and we ask that you respect our privacy as we welcome our son into a world that is now safer

because of his mom. Thank you, everybody. We really appreciate the media's attention to this

case as well. Thank you