The prosecution is raising its concerns.
On day 21 of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sexual assault trial, assistant U.S. attorney Maurene Comey announced on June 11 that her team aims to dismiss one juror from the panel, as reported by NBC News correspondents present in the courtroom.
She shared with Judge Arun Subramanian, prior to the jury’s entrance in the New York City courtroom, “We felt quite hesitant about including this in our letter. It seemed like an absence of honesty towards the court, which presents significant concerns for us.
The lead prosecutor added, “We did not want to do this. We were compelled to do that.”
As a devoted follower, I, Alexandra Shapiro, have brought forth a request. I’ve pointed out that Juror No. 6 belongs to our court’s Black membership group. I humbly ask for a bit of extra time—perhaps one or two days—to carefully craft my response in writing and thoroughly review the relevant case law.
Yesterday, the prosecution raised concerns about one of the jurors in a confidential discussion with the judge. In response, the defense expressed their opposition to removing the juror and requested an opportunity to present their case before any decision was made. A partial transcript of this conversation has since been obtained by NBC News.
The judge, Subramanian, mentioned today that he would make a decision regarding the juror’s specific circumstances later, after a final choice has been made. (The juror was present throughout day 20 as well.)
In the courtroom, the former girlfriend, now referred to as “Jane” instead of “Victim-2,” resumed her cross-examination on the second day. She has been providing testimony about the emotional, physical, and financial mistreatment she allegedly experienced during her relationship with the defendant.
She stated that engaging in activities similar to what Cassie Ventura described as “freak offs” during her testimony, which were almost the same as “hotel nights,” felt like an obligation for her because she relied on him financially. Jane confessed that she felt resentful after being drawn into a lifestyle constructed under much emotional manipulation and pressure, since he had been covering her rent since April 2023.
She declared on June 10th, “From the very start, I was completely captivated, and it wasn’t until later that I realized I had fallen for someone whose rules and boundaries for our relationship weren’t entirely clear to me.
Additionally, she declared under oath that Combs had physically attacked her during heated disputes. In one particular incident, she alleged that he kicked and struck her following the revelation that he was involved with another woman.
Criminal Charges Against Combs: He Has Denied All Accusations Regarding Sex Trafficking, Conspiracy in Racketeering, Coerced Sex Trafficking, and Transporting Individuals for Prostitution.
For more live updates from Diddy’s trial, keep reading.
As a lifestyle expert, I might rephrase it like this: In my role as an authority on lifestyle matters, I’d express that back in early June, I found myself in a heated discussion with a former love interest, who we’ll call “Jane”, and her attorney, Teny Garagos. During our conversation, Mr. Garagos hinted that Jane was engaging in transactions involving intimacy for high-end items, a suggestion I found quite confrontational.
Lawyer Geragos scrutinized messages from November 2021 between Jane and Combs, revealing a witness’s displeasure over Combs engaging in intimate relationships with other women. The texts indicated that she inquired about whether Combs had given the other woman a Chanel bag as a post-encounter gift.
Jane said that she didn’t get a Chanel purse from Combs, telling Garagos that she “got trauma.”
When the attorney asked what a Bottega bag was, she replied, “I’m sure you have one.”
And when Geragos asked how much the item costs, Jane asked, “How much does my body cost?”
Jane was granted a 10-minute break following the exchange.
Jane stated that by the year 2022, she thought Combs was someone who derives satisfaction from observing their partner engaging in physical intimacy with others, following her investigation into their romantic relationship dynamics.
She explained that her study provided her with a better insight into it. In essence, she wanted to delve deeper into understanding the factors contributing to their immense joy when witnessing their partner with other men.
The witness proposed an explanation suggesting that Sean Combs’ repeated requests for “hotel nights” resembling Cassie Ventura’s “freak-offs” could indicate a curiosity about his own sexuality, possibly stemming from uncertainty or exploration of his sexual identity.
She stated that individuals often referred to as “cucks” may harbor a genuine curiosity they feel embarrassed about exploring personally. Consequently, they might employ women as a means to satisfy this curiosity without directly engaging in the action themselves.
Jane stated that she referred to Paul, an individual they frequently hired as an escort, as “Trifecta.” She likened their sexual relationship to the exceptional basketball performance of well-known players.
“I was Kobe Bryant and Paul was Shaq [O’Neil],” she told jurors. “Combs was Michael Jordan.”
She characterized Paul as “very kind,” pointing out that if she “were in such a situation,” having intimate relations with escorts would at least be with someone who exudes a positive and welcoming aura.
Jane stated that the relationship between Combs and his chief of staff, Kristina Khorram, was a source of conflict in her romantic involvement with the hip-hop entrepreneur.
Jane mentioned that Khorram was constantly by her side. She found it challenging in their relationship, and she suspects that Khorram harbored intense emotions towards her, which significantly impacted how Sean behaved towards her.
On June 10, Judge Arun Subramanian dismissed a request for a mistrial from Combs’ legal team, who claimed that Ventura and her companion Bryana Bongolan had lied about being allegedly dangled over a 17th-floor balcony by the rap mogul. In simpler terms, the judge declined to stop the trial based on the defense team’s assertion that Ventura and Bongolan were lying about the incident involving Combs.
In the latest court filing, his legal team alleges that the prosecution has acted unprofessionally by presenting false testimony and engaging in misbehavior.
The letter states: “During this trial, the government has provided evidence that was either incorrect or not known to be truthful regarding its claim that Mr. Combs hung Bryana Bongolan from Cassie Ventura’s apartment balcony in September 2016. To prevent an unjust verdict in this case, it is recommended that the court declare a mistrial.
Jane alleged that the rap mogul had beaten her for hours June 2024.
Jane stated that an argument ensued between herself and Combs over his association with a younger woman, which she claimed culminated in her calling him a “predator” and forcing his head against a marble kitchen counter.
According to the testimony, she claimed to have concealed herself inside the main bedroom as Combs started forcefully breaking open the door. (Images of the damaged door were submitted as proof.) She asserted that during her attempt to escape, the founder of Bad Boy Records kicked her on the back of her thigh, causing her to stumble.
In response to the prosecution, I shared that he had me pinned to the ground in a chokehold, lifting me off it slightly, causing me to stand precariously on my tiptoes. All this while, I was desperately attempting to free myself from his grasp.
Jane shared that she dashed out of the house, concealed herself behind a nearby wall for roughly two hours, waiting for him to depart – however, he didn’t. Afterward, she recounted that they eventually went back to his residence, where she huddled in the backyard as a means of self-defense, since Combs reportedly assaulted her.
As stated by Jane, the disagreement intensified when it’s alleged that Combs began striking her in the head. “He was hitting my head,” she testified in court. “He was kicking me. He was shouting various things and continued to hit.
She alleged that he told her that she was “trying to take him away from his kids and his family.”
She stated under oath that she replied, ‘No, I’m not. Please go away. Go away. Stop it,’ but instead, he forcefully took hold of her arm and hair, forcibly pulling her back towards the house, dragging her by both her hair and arm.
In the aftermath of the unfortunate incident, I personally noticed two distinct, golf ball-like swellings on my forehead, and a deep shade around one of my eyes – a clear sign of the trauma that had just occurred.
In March 2023, Jane stated that Homeland Security conducted a raid on her home, which was among several properties belonging to business magnate Sean Combs that were targeted at the time. She disclosed that during this incident, law enforcement officials visited her residence and she immediately contacted Combs’ security chief about the situation.
In December 2023, Jane claimed that the mogul had threatened to disclose explicit videos of them and share them with her child’s father.
In response to their worsening relationship, Jane claimed that Comb’s actions suggested he felt he had “nothing to gain and nothing to lose” by sharing the videos. She later testified, describing it as a constant barrage of intense phone calls.
In my role as a lifestyle expert, I reached out to Khorram regarding our recent encounter, and this communication has now become part of the legal record. In these messages, Jane disclosed that Combs had threatened to share some distressing footage where she confessed feeling under the influence of strong drugs.
She additionally penned that she required some distance from Combs, as she was striving to deal with all the pain he inflicted.
Jane told the court that Khorram assured her that Combs would not use the footage.
During her testimony, Jane stated that certain aspects of Ventura’s November 2023 lawsuit, which eventually reached a settlement, seemed to echo her own encounters with Combs.
She shared with the jury that she came very close to fainting, and she believes she actually did so, while weeping. There were three particular pages that contained a chilling description of what she endured.
As a devoted participant in the “hotel nights” experience, I found myself immersed in a narrative remarkably similar to my own. This realization prompted me to reach out to Combs via text messages, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
In the aftermath of Ventura’s lawsuit, I penned down my feelings, and it seems as if I was reliving my own sexual trauma through the words. I am ill. The words mirror the haze of my drug-ridden days and nights. You were aware this would happen. You manipulated me, you drove me to madness.
The messages went on, making me feel deeply uncomfortable. It seemed like I had no choice but to comply, one situation after another. You inadvertently caused me to question my feelings about past sexual abuse. I feel violated and used. This experience feels like a form of sexual abuse.
Later on, Combs referred to Jane without her awareness, secretly recording their discussion. This conversation was later admitted as evidence where he mentioned they “performed these actions jointly” and emphasized that “it was then” when he required her “presence.
Jane, unaware that she was being filmed, expressed to Combs that she felt “nauseous” upon reviewing Ventura’s papers.
Jane shared that during the “Hotel Nights” with Combs and male companions, she usually used ecstasy. However, on one particular occasion, she chose to abstain from drugs while engaging in sexual activities with three different individuals.
She stated that on this particular evening, she was with several gentlemen. Later, she became sick and vomited. Then, Sean entered the scene and assured her, “Don’t worry, you’ll feel better now. Let’s step outside.
Jane said that at the end of the night, she felt “absolutely terrible.”
Following the eighteenth day of the trial, on June 7, Combs’ legal representatives submitted a request for a mistrial. They claimed that Ventura and Bongolan had falsely testified about Bongolan being allegedly dangled over the 17th-floor balcony by the rap mogul.
Lawyers representing Combs, whose request for a mistrial was declined by Judge Subramanian, alleged that the prosecution engaged in misbehavior by presenting false or dishonest testimony.
The letter states that during this trial, the government has provided evidence which they either knew was untrue or should have known was misleading regarding their claim that Mr. Combs allegedly hung Bryana Bongolan over the balcony of Cassie Ventura’s apartment in September 2016. To prevent an unfair verdict, it is recommended that the court declare a mistrial.
In a different phraseology, it can be said that the defender alleges Bongolan fabricated details about the event, citing apparent discrepancies in her account. The opposing side plans to present their rebuttal on June 9, and the judge will deliver his verdict the following day.
In April 2023, two years into their relationship, P. Diddy (Combs) started covering Jane’s home rent expenses, which has continued up until now. She disclosed this during testimony and mentioned that they had agreed a month earlier on him providing her with a regular financial allowance.
On that ‘hotel night,’ she recalled, it was then that Sean presented us with a sort of ‘love agreement.’ Essentially, he was inquiring about the amount I desired for my allowance,” she told the jurors.
month, just moving forward, that’s what he was going to do for me.”
She mentioned that she proposed an allowance of 15,000 and he suggested 10,000. After searching for new dwellings, she moved into a larger, more spacious home using the allocated budget. It was important to her to have a place where she and her child could comfortably reside, providing a sense of equilibrium in their relationship. Previously, she had been pouring all her affection into him, and this was his way of reciprocating.
Jane claimed, according to the contract, she was entitled to money “without any immediate need or coercion, over a period of two years.
Jane confessed to experiencing urinary tract infections and yeast infections almost every week due to extended periods of sexual activity. She would frequently use antibiotics to treat these conditions. Additionally, she admitted that she sometimes had sex before fully recovering from her UTIs and often experienced discomfort in her pelvic region during all nights spent at hotels.
The witness also mentioned experiencing discomfort in her shoulders and back while engaging in sexual activity. Furthermore, she stated, “I found myself either on the very edge of the chair or the bed, performing foreplay in a manner he preferred with various partners.
In my unwavering fandom, I can’t help but share that, despite the agony she endured, Jane chose not to disclose her suffering to Combs. Instead, she preferred to conceal any hint of negativity.
In my testimony, I asserted to the court that the discomfort I experienced wasn’t confined solely to our private moments. I shared with the jurors that, at his behest, I had undergone a piercing of my nipples as he claimed it would “stimulate him greatly and was something he desired from his partner.
She said she removed the piercings because they “snagged and bled and got infected.”
However, she testified that Combs was unhappy with her decision.
She claimed that he initially accepted the situation, but later on, it became evident that he was growing increasingly frustrated with the time it took for me to complete the task.
She mentioned, “He used to comment, ‘I can’t find your piercings! This will be the last time I see you without them.’
It is claimed by Jane that she was pressured to spend numerous hours celebrating her birthday at a hotel in the year 2023, despite her objections.
Although she reportedly told him multiple times that she was unwilling, and the encounter bore striking resemblance to Ventura’s “freak off” incidents, she claimed he unexpectedly arranged for an entertainer to join their dinner instead.
The witness, who was in a relationship with Combs from 2021 to 2024, stated that she had chosen to put on nicer clothes for him. On this occasion, they were having dinner at a sushi restaurant. She expressed her joy at being with her significant other. He seemed exceptionally affectionate, and then he mentioned, “I’m really looking forward to watching the performer tonight.
She went on to say, “I hadn’t anticipated this,” and then she exclaimed, “‘An entertainer?’ I was speechless. He replied, ‘It’s your birthday! Let’s celebrate.’ In the end, I simply went along with it.
Jane, while emotional during her testimony, expressed that the escort seemed “more like a stranger to me than anyone else.
On my birthday, I didn’t feel like engaging in anything, but unfortunately, that’s what happened. I ended up lying on the couch, preparing myself for an encounter, hoping to just get it over quickly. When I requested a condom from Sean, he gave me a disapproving look. He seemed to be shaking his head and said something along the lines of, “You shouldn’t be asking for a condom like that.
Following the report that the rap magnate gave the escort birth control, “Jane” stated that he appeared to be very unconcerned or indifferent.
She stated that he was leaving, and as the events unfolded, his expression of dismay was evident. This sight filled me with a sense of sadness. I simply wished for it to conclude swiftly.
Jane claimed that the longest stretch of a “hotel stay” occurred during New Year’s Eve in 2022, lasting approximately “3 to 3.5 days.” She admitted to using “ecstasy, caffeine, water, and protein shakes” to remain awake throughout the extended all-night sexual encounter.
Jane stated that even after requesting Combs multiple times for the male escorts to use protection, such as condoms, during their hotel stays, he supposedly declined.
She informed the jury that he reacted as if he were angry or offended, and then made her feel guilty. In simpler terms, what she meant was that he didn’t wish to discuss the topic at hand… Instead, he expressed his desire to move on from it. He stated that he wouldn’t entertain further questions about it because it wasn’t going to be discussed. Additionally, he mentioned that he didn’t want any reminders of the issue while he was focusing on something else.
Jane shared insight into her decision to participate in orchestrated sex acts with the rap mogul.
She stated that it was rumored, by the founder of Bad Boy Records, he might have proposed incorporating escorts and secretly observing others in intimate settings, within the bedroom.
She informed the court, ‘I agreed because it appeared as if he desired it and it was arousing to him, and at that moment, I was deeply engaged with my partner.’
She claimed that Combs contacted a male escort, who she asserted she had previously engaged in sexual activity with, prior to their subsequent intimacy. According to her, this unconventional and enjoyable night established the dynamics of their relationship as it progressed.
She testified, “That night seemed to unleash a torrent of issues in our relationship, as if I had opened a Pandora’s box.” Later, she added, “There was simply too much to deal with afterwards.
She claimed that approximately 90% of the instances when she encountered Combs, she observed him engaging in sexual activities with another person while she was present. She stated these sexual encounters lasted from 24 to 30 hours without any rest, and she felt a sense of duty because “I knew he was covering my rent expenses.
Jane stated that, due to her financial dependence on Sean Combs, she felt compelled to continue engaging in sexual acts with him.
She asserted that her sense of duty grew because her partner was covering her rental expenses. If she resisted his sexual advances, he would retort by saying things like “If you decide to end this, that’s okay. But do you need an additional three months in the house? Because I’m not going to keep paying for a woman’s rent whom I’m not even seeing.
She claimed that a significant portion of her earnings stemmed from social media, but she noticed a decrease in this income source due to the fact that her activity on social media significantly diminished after she chose to focus more on her relationship with Combs.
She stated that her sole means of earning money came from child support received from another person, also known as Combs.
As a lifestyle expert, I find myself stepping into the shoes of a unique story unfolding in the public eye. On June 5th, I found myself in the courtroom, taking the oath as “Victim 2” – a role assigned to me in the federal indictment against Combs. This was my first time testifying, and it marked an important step in the proceedings against him.
Under the alias Jane, she shared with the court her feelings of deep affection towards the mogul during their Miami visit around early 2021. She openly acknowledged that during their initial relationship, there were extended, mutually agreed upon intimate moments involving baby oil which took place between herself and Combs.
However, as Jane testified, he orchestrated a situation where she had sexual relations with another man in his presence for the first time. She expressed that she wasn’t comfortable with it, but stated that “he was covering my rent expenses”.
According to Jane’s testimony, those events mentioned in the indictment and labeled as “freak offs” by Ventura and others, were also known as “sprees of debauchery,” or simply “hotel nights.
These periods stretched from 24 to 30 continuous hours without rest, often involving several individuals, as she elaborated.
Jane admitted that on certain occasions, she found herself repeating similar experiences with different individuals. In such situations, she suppressed her genuine feelings or thoughts.
In the end, she chose to stay put, ready to assist Combs whenever necessary and he covered all her costs along with managing childcare arrangements, since she was a solo mother, according to Jane.
She informed the court that she felt compelled to spend those evenings with him, and when she was with Sean, she became completely engrossed in him.
The judge warned Subramanian that he might eject Combs from the courtroom if the defendant kept on making expressions towards the jury.
On June 5th, the judge made it absolutely clear to Drew Combs’ lawyers in court: no facial expressions should be displayed. In fact, I couldn’t have been more explicit. There was an instance during cross-examination when your client was seen nodding enthusiastically and looking at the jury.
Subramanian firmly stated, “I find such actions unacceptable. Let’s avoid any contact with this jury. Should it occur once more, I may issue a directive to the jury, and repeated disregard could lead to your client being barred from the courtroom.
Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo assured the judge it was “not going to happen again.”
Subramanian reiterated, “This cannot happen again.”
In the court, Bongolan shared with the jury that she initiated a civil suit against Combs for ten million dollars in November 2024. This was after an incident in 2016 where he allegedly held her over a balcony on the seventeenth floor before tossing her onto nearby furniture.
“I wanted to seek justice for what happened to me,” Bongolan said, “on the balcony.”
The fashion designer has officially brought charges against the rap tycoon in a legal complaint, alleging sexual assault, causing mental anguish, and unlawful detention. This information was gathered from documents acquired by Rolling Stone magazine.
According to the lawsuit filed by her lawyer, James R. Nikraftar, the reason for someone being threatened on a balcony is either to brutally harm or frighten them beyond belief, stripping them of any sense of control over their personal security and physical well-being.
Bryana declared that, in 2016, it was claimed that the influential rapper had allegedly picked her up and hung her over a 17th-story balcony before dropping her onto surrounding furnishings below.
According to Bongolan’s account of the incident, which occurred at Ventura’s Comstock apartment, she claims that combs (people) followed her, raised her up and positioned me on top of the railing. At the time, she weighed between 100-115 pounds. Her feet were on the railing. She was struggling to maintain her grip due to fear of falling as she was pushing back against him for support.
In that moment, it crossed my mind that I might lose my balance,” she expressed on June 4, while testifying. “He was shouting at me, accusing me of something I didn’t understand. He was saying, ‘You know what you did!’ I had no clue about the accusation. I responded, ‘I don’t know what I did.’ His shouting was deafening.
Later on, Bongolan claimed that around 10 to 15 seconds passed, and then Combs shoved her towards the balcony furniture. This incident occurred just before Ventura appeared, and afterward, the former couple retreated inside to have a conversation. Eventually, she stated, the hip-hop tycoon departed from the apartment.
After the reported event, Bongolan stated that she has endured ongoing impacts, expressing, “I often have disturbing dreams and I feel extremely anxious, which used to cause me to scream while sleeping. However, I’ve noticed it’s become less frequent.
Attorney Emily Johnson informed Judge Subramanian that the authorities became aware through media reports of the true identity of Combs’ previous assistant, who was known as “Mia” during the trial.
Johnson stated that the government is asking the Court to think about ordering the removal of the post and possibly taking more actions, such as preventing individuals who disobey the Court’s order from attending this trial in this or any other courtroom.
Judge Subramanian instructed the prosecution team to prepare a written argument, assuring them that he would carefully review it.
Previously at Bad Boy Entertainment, finance chief Derek Ferguson disclosed to investigators that in the year 2011, rap tycoon Sean Combs received a $20,000 bank transfer from Cassie Ventura’s father, Rodrick Ventura, as per the records presented by prosecutors.
Previously during the court proceedings, it was Regina Ventura who stated that Combs allegedly threatened to disclose private videos featuring her daughter once their relationship with Kid Cudi (whose real name is Scott Mescudi) started.
Previously, Regina mentioned that they (Regina and Roderick) resorted to a home equity loan as it seemed to be their only option for securing the required funds.
She informed the prosecutors that his reason for actions was anger. He had invested money in her, but she was seen with someone else.
A fervent backer of Sean “Diddy” Combs, present nearly every day during his trial, was escorted out of the courtroom following a loud outburst, according to NBC News.
During the proceedings on June 3, I, a devoted follower, found myself unable to contain my outrage as I exclaimed from the overflow rooms, “They’re all laughing at Diddy! This isn’t fair how they’re treating him!
After asserting Combs’ innocence, she yelled at him, “People are trying to do you wrong.”
Eddy Garcia, who used to be the head of security at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles, stated that Combs was said to have handed over a brown paper bag containing $100,000 to hotel security with the expectation of receiving the surveillance footage showing Diddy (Combs) assaulting Ventura. The hotel security were supposedly asked to give this footage in return for this money.
Garcia, granted immunity for his testimony, stated that he shared a large amount of money with two other colleagues after they all agreed to a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with a penalty of one million dollars if breached.
In his testimony, it was stated that Combs supposedly referred to him as an “angel” on Easter during a subsequent phone call after their encounter, and then enquired if anyone had inquired about the incident or the video. I replied that I hadn’t heard anything about it, to which he simply responded, ‘OK.’
Sylvia Oken, who holds the position of Area Director for Sales and Marketing at The Beverly Hills Hotel, stated that Combs made hotel reservations under the aliases Philip Pines and Frank Black.
Oken passed on the bills that Combs, a frequent visitor for his “unusual shows,” incurred during his stay, which included expenses for “thorough cleaning” and “oil-related damage.” (Past evidence and statements suggested that the rap tycoon allegedly used numerous bottles of baby oil during the elaborate sex acts he staged.)
Mia claimed that she made an effort to keep a good rapport with the prominent rapper, even after her past claims of sexual misconduct and mistreatment, as she felt she had been influenced or manipulated by him.
She clarified during Brian Steele’s cross-examination on June 2 that she found herself in a situation where things were either extremely good or extremely bad, as if on a rollercoaster. She made significant efforts to return to a more positive state and work even harder. However, her actions were primarily driven by the desire to gain his approval consistently.
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2025-06-11 22:48