Sean “Diddy” Combs is back in court.
As an ardent admirer, I find myself breathlessly recounting the unfolding events of day 24 in the sex trafficking trial of the renowned rap mogul. The presiding Judge, Arun Subramanian, has stepped in to replace a juror from the panel with an alternate, following concerns raised by the prosecution over inconsistent answers concerning his residence – a decision reported by NBC News journalists present in the courtroom.
The judge expressed grave doubts about the juror’s honesty and suggested that he might have given misleading responses in order to join and remain on the jury. Although the defense acknowledged the discrepancies, they didn’t dispute their validity.
I firmly believe, as I persist in my questioning, it’s simply not right,” I emphasized. “No matter what the juror might reveal, it won’t undo what’s already been said… That’s exactly why we have backup jurors.
In their appeal filed on June 15, Combs’ legal team contended that Juror No. 6, a 41-year-old African American man, should not have been dismissed from the jury because there was no just cause to do so. They further emphasized that his removal could potentially impact the diversity of the jury panel.
Nevertheless, Judge Subramanian countered the point by stressing, “The jury here did not elicit those worries. The procedure for selecting this jury functioned effectively and smoothly.
Alongside challenging the juror’s dismissal, the defense’s plea additionally contained a request for a retrial, which was likewise turned down. It is worth noting that an alternative juror, aged 57 and of Caucasian descent from Westchester County, was promoted to the primary juror role.
On June 13, Judge Subramanian stated that it was uncertain if Juror No. 6 resided in New York City or with his girlfriend in New Jersey. He further mentioned that the juror either struggled to comply with basic instructions and answer straightforward questions, or else he seemed to be evasive about the truth.
After the June 16th ruling, Ananya Sankar stepped up to deliver a straightforward account of the case’s evidence, focusing on text messages, phone records, and various digital files.
Combs has denied the charges against him which include sex trafficking, conspiring in racketeering activities, forcing or deceiving individuals into sexual servitude, and transporting people for prostitution purposes.
For more live updates on Combs’ trial, keep reading.
On June 13, Kanye West paid a visit to the New York City courthouse to show his support for Sean “Diddy” Combs. Notably, the renowned rapper known for “Stronger,” was present in the building for approximately 30 minutes. He stopped by the overflow area but did not step into the courtroom itself. The principal room is designated exclusively for Combs’ family, legal team, media personnel, and spectators who endure long hours of waiting to secure a seat.
Jane, previously known as Combs’ ex and referred to as Victim-2 in the indictment, recounted a dispute that occurred between them following her trip to Las Vegas with another rapper and his spouse.
She declared that this situation resulted in instances of peeping tom behavior, following her encounter with Anton, a prostitute who was frequently engaged by both herself and Combs. On this particular journey, they observed Anton engaging in intimate activities with a different woman in a hotel room, while a number of individuals looked on.
Jane confided in attorney Teny Geragos that the rap magnate felt agitated following his allegation that she had been present at another man’s “lewd party.
21st day of Combs’ trial, assistant U.S. attorney Maurene Comey mentioned that they intend to dismiss one of the twelve jurors.
She expressed to Judge Arun Subramanian, prior to the entrance of the jury into the New York City courtroom, that we were extremely hesitant to include this in our letter. It seemed to us like an untruthfulness towards the court, which presents significant concerns for us.
Lawyer Alexandra Shapiro, pointing out that Juror No. 6 is part of the trial’s racially diverse jury group, requested a brief delay to compose a written response and carefully review relevant legal precedents.
In response, Judge Subramanian indicated that he would “hold off on addressing the juror’s matter” until a decision has been reached.
On June 10, Jane and Garagos engaged in a heated discussion, during which Garagos implied that the witness was involved in exchange of sexual favors for high-end items.
Lawyer Geragos scrutinized text conversations from November 2021 between Jane and Combs, where it appeared the witness expressed displeasure over Combs engaging with other women. According to these texts, she inquired whether Combs had presented the other woman with a Chanel handbag following their intimate encounter.
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.
In 2022, I personally came to the conclusion that Combs was what’s often referred to as a “cuckold,” deriving pleasure from observing his partner engaged in intimate physical relationships with others, based on my research into our shared romantic dynamics.
She explained that her study provided her with a greater insight, “I was simply aiming to delve deeper into understanding all the aspects that made them experience such intense joy while observing their partner with other men.
The witness proposed an idea that Combs’ frequent request for “hotel nights” could stem from a curiosity about his sexual orientation, as these instances bear strong resemblance to the intimate encounters his ex-partner Cassie Ventura used to call “freak offs.
She stated that cowards might harbor a genuine curiosity they’re too embarrassed to explore personally. Instead, they utilize women as proxies to satisfy their curiosity, without directly engaging in the activity themselves.
As a devoted admirer, I’d like to share that I affectionately dubbed Paul – an individual we frequently sought out for services – as “Trifecta”. This was due to the captivating similarities I saw between our shared experiences and the exceptional basketball trios who consistently dominated the court.
“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 a situation where she had to engage in intimate activities with escorts, at least it was with someone who exuded a positive and welcoming aura.
Jane stated that there were issues regarding Combs’ relationship with his chief of staff, Kristina Khorram, which were a source of disagreement in her romantic involvement with the hip-hop tycoon.
Jane mentioned that Khorram was usually by her side, and it strained their friendship. She felt that Khorram harbored intense emotions towards her, which significantly impacted the way Sean behaved towards her.
On June 10, Judge Subramanian dismissed a request for a mistrial made by Combs’ legal team. In this motion, they claimed that Ventura and her friend Bryana Bongolan falsely stated that Combs had dangled Bongolan over a 17th-floor balcony.
In their recent court filing, his legal team alleged that the prosecution had acted improperly, specifically by presenting false or dishonest testimony, which they referred to as “misconduct.
The letter states that in this court case, the government has provided evidence which they either knew was untruthful or should have realized it was false, regarding their accusation that Mr. Combs allegedly hung Bryana Bongolan over the balcony of Cassie Ventura’s apartment in September 2016. As a result, to prevent an unfair verdict in this trial, the court should declare a mistrial.
Jane alleged that the rap mogul had beaten her for hours June 2024.
As an ardent admirer putting it in my own words, I’d say: I testified that there was a heated exchange between me and Mr. Combs over his association with a lady who was considerably younger than him. I couldn’t help but express my disapproval, labeling the situation as “pedophilic” in my intense emotions, which subsequently led to me forcefully pushing his head against a cold, marble kitchen counter.
According to the witness, she concealed herself in the main bedroom as Combs attempted to force open the door. Photos showing the damaged door were submitted as evidence. She claimed that during her attempt to escape, the founder of Bad Boy Records kicked her on the back of the thigh, causing her to tumble down.
She shared with the prosecutors that he had her pinned to the ground in a headlock, raised her off the ground, and she found it difficult to breathe while standing on her tiptoes. Her intention was simply to escape his hold.
Jane shared that she dashed out of the house, concealed herself against a wall outside for around two hours, hoping he’d depart, yet he didn’t. Later on, they went back to his residence, where she huddled in the yard as a means of self-protection, with Combs reportedly assaulting her.
As Jane stated, the dispute intensified when it’s alleged that Combs struck her repeatedly in the head. She explained to the court that he began kicking her too, hurling abusive words, and continued hitting her without pause.
She alleged that he told her that she was “trying to take him away from his kids and his family.”
She declared, “I replied, ‘No, I’m not. Please go away. Go away. Stop it,'” she said. However, he forcefully took hold of her arm and hair, and began pulling her back towards the house, using both her hair and her arm as leverage.
Following the incident, Jane claimed that she noticed two swellings about the size of golf balls on her forehead and also had a blackened eye.
Jane stated that Homeland Security conducted a raid on her home back in March 2023, which was among several properties belonging to tycoon Sean Combs that were searched. She explained that law enforcement officials visited her residence, prompting her to contact Combs’ security chief to inform him about the incident.
In December 2023, Jane claimed that the wealthy individual had warned they would disclose intimate videos of her and make them viewable to her child’s father, allegedly threatening her.
In the decline of Jane and Combs’ relationship, she claimed he felt no consequences when he decided to share the videos, expressing it as “he saw nothing to hold him back.” She further stated that there were continuous, intense phone calls from him. In a simpler phrasing, she experienced constant pressure from him through numerous phone calls.
Jane sent a message to Khorram regarding the incident, which became part of the court records. In her messages, Jane mentioned that Combs had warned he would share the video where she claimed she was under heavy influence of drugs.
She mentioned requiring some distance from Combs, as she was attempting to deal with the emotional turmoil he had inflicted upon her.
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 was eventually resolved, seemed to align with her personal encounter with Combs.
She shared with the jurors that she came very close to losing consciousness, and she believes she actually did faint. She also mentioned there were three particular pages that contained a chilling account of her ordeal.
In the context of Jane’s experience with “hotel nights,” she mentioned it made her feel as if she were living through a personal narrative. This realization prompted her to exchange text messages with Combs.
In her response following the lawsuit by Ventura, she expressed feeling as if she was reliving her own sexual trauma through reading it. She stated that she felt unwell, and it was a direct match, word for word, with her drug-fueled days and nights. She implied that this had been foreseeable, and they had manipulated and driven her to the brink of insanity.
The texts went on: “I feel utterly repulsed, as if I had no choice but to comply with your repeated demands.” They added, “Your actions left me feeling as though I was losing my mind due to the sexual distress I experienced. I feel profoundly violated. This was a clear case of sexual abuse.
Later on, Combs secretly referred to Jane during a conversation that was later presented as evidence. In this discussion, he implied that they had performed certain actions together and mentioned that he required her presence at a specific time.
Jane, unaware that she was being taped, expressed to Combs that she felt extremely queasy upon reviewing Ventura’s files.
Jane shared that during her “Hotel Nights” with Combs and male companions, she typically used ecstasy. However, on one particular occasion, she chose to abstain from drugs while engaging in intimate activities with three different men.
She stated that on this particular evening, she was with several gentlemen. Later on, she became sick and vomited. Upon seeing this, Sean stepped in, reassuring her, ‘Don’t worry, you’ll start to feel better now. Let’s head outside.’
Jane said that at the end of the night, she felt “absolutely terrible.”
On the eighteenth day of the trial, Combs’ defense lawyers submitted a request for a mistrial on June 7. They contended that Ventura and Bongolan falsely claimed that Bongolan was suspended from the 17th-floor balcony by the hip-hop mogul.
In simpler terms, lawyers representing Sean Combs (also known as Puff Daddy or Diddy) claimed that the prosecution acted improperly by presenting false testimony during the trial. The judge previously refused their request for a mistrial.
In the ongoing trial, the government has provided evidence that appears to be significantly misleading or untrue regarding their claim that Mr. Combs dangerously 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 their argument, the defense claims that Bongolan fabricated details about the incident, citing certain discrepancies they’ve found in her account. The prosecution has stated they will present their counterargument on June 9, and the judge is expected to deliver his verdict the following day.
In April of 2023, which marked the beginning of their second year together, Jane stated that Sean Combs started covering her home’s rent. This arrangement has continued ever since. She disclosed that just a month before, she and the music mogul had agreed on her receiving a monthly allowance.
On that special ‘night at the hotel,’ it’s vivid in my memory that Sean presented us with a sort of ‘pact of love’ between us,” she explained to the jury. “In essence, he was inquiring about the amount I desired as an allowance.
month, just moving forward, that’s what he was going to do for me.”
She mentioned that she specified a budget of 15,000, but he stated it was only 10,000. After searching for new accommodations, she moved into a larger and more spacious home within her allocated amount, aiming to provide a comfortable environment for herself and her child. This new dwelling serves as a sanctuary where she could find some equilibrium in their relationship. She had been offering him unconditional love, and this was his way of reciprocating.
As a lifestyle expert, I’d put it this way: According to our arrangement, I was assured of regular financial support, free from any undue stress or time constraints, for a period of two years.
Jane openly shared that she frequently experienced urinary tract infections and yeast infections nearly every week, due to extended periods of sexual activity. To manage these issues, she regularly used antibiotics. Moreover, she confessed that sometimes she engaged in sex before fully healing from her UTIs, and during “100 percent” of hotel stays, she felt discomfort or soreness in her pelvic region.
The witness additionally disclosed that she experienced discomfort in her shoulders and back during the act. Furthermore, she mentioned, “I found myself at the very edge of the chair or the bed, assuming the positions he favored for foreplay with these men.
Though she endured pain, Jane chose not to inform Combs about it as she preferred not to suggest any negativity.
However, she asserted that the discomfort extended beyond their intimate moments. She informed the court that she agreed to get her nipples pierced, as per Combs’ wish, because he claimed it would be highly arousing for him 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 seemed as if he grew restless due to the length of time it took for me to complete the task at hand.
Instead of saying verbatim, she mentioned, “He often commented, ‘I can’t find your piercings! This will be the last time I see you without any.’
On her birthday in 2023, Jane claimed it was required of her to spend several hours at an overnight event at a hotel, which went against her personal preferences.
Even though he was reportedly told multiple times by her that she didn’t wish to participate in the sexual encounter, which bore a striking resemblance to Ventura’s “freak off” experiences, she later claimed that he unexpectedly arranged an entertainer for their dinner instead.
The witness, who dated Combs from 2021 to 2024, stated that she had put on nice clothes for him. They were having a sushi dinner together. She was quite joyful being with her significant other. He was incredibly affectionate, and then he mentioned, “I’m really looking forward to seeing the performer tonight.
She went on to express surprise, saying, “I hadn’t anticipated this,” then added, “When he told me an entertainer was planned for my birthday, I was speechless. I simply agreed to it and decided to have a good time.
During her testimony, Jane expressed that the escort seemed “more like a stranger to me than anyone else.
On my birthday, I didn’t feel like doing what she had planned. Instead, I simply sat on the couch, preparing myself for intimacy to swiftly pass. I requested a condom from Sean. However, Sean gave me a disapproving look. It was a look of disdain, as if he were shaking his head and said something along the lines of, “You shouldn’t be asking for a condom.
Following the alleged incident where the rap magnate gave the escort birth control, “Jane” expressed that he appeared incredibly unconcerned or uncaring.
She stated that he departed, and as everything unfolded, his expression of dismay was evident. This sight left me with a heavy heart. I merely wished for the whole situation to conclude swiftly.
Jane claimed that the longest stretch of “hotel stay” occurred over New Year’s in 2022, lasting approximately 3 to 3.5 days.
She disclosed her strategy for staying alert during the continuous overnight sexual encounter: using ecstasy, caffeine, water, and protein shakes.
Jane stated that even after repeatedly requesting it from Combs, the male escorts were reportedly not made to use a condom during their overnight stays at hotels, as Combs supposedly declined.
She informed the jurors that he reacted quite angrily and made her feel guilty. However, it wasn’t something he desired… He wished to change the topic. ‘It wasn’t an option for him to continue… Please stop bringing it up.’ This is what he said, indicating that he didn’t want to be reminded of a specific object while he was observing.
Jane shared insight into her decision to participate in orchestrated sex acts with the rap mogul.
She stated that it was claimed the creator of Bad Boy Records was contemplating integrating escorts and voyeurism in a bedroom setting.
In response to the situation, I agreed, for it appeared he desired it, and this excitement fueled his interest. To be honest, I was deeply engrossed in my relationship partner at the time.
She claimed that Combs contacted a male acquaintance, whom she admitted to having sexual encounters with prior to their relationship, and this incident established the dynamic for their future relationship. It was an unusual and enjoyable event that shaped their relationship’s trajectory.
She testified that night seemed to unleash a torrent of issues in our relationship, as if we had opened Pandora’s box. It just kept coming, and there was far too much of it.
She claimed that approximately 90% of her encounters with Combs involved him engaging in sexual activities with another man, which she often observed. These extended sexual episodes lasted for periods ranging from 24 to 36 hours without rest, and she felt compelled because she knew he was covering her rent expenses.
Jane stated that, due to her financial reliance on the rap magnate, she found herself in a situation where she felt compelled to continue engaging in sexual activities with multiple men, as Combs held significant control over her finances.
She stated that her sense of duty began to grow because her partner was covering her rental expenses. Moreover, she mentioned that if she resisted his sexual advances, he would retort with comments such as “If you decide to split up, that’s okay. Do you require an additional three months in the house? Since I won’t continue to pay for a woman’s rent who I’m not even seeing.
She claimed that a significant part of her earnings came from social media, but she noticed a decrease in income as her activity on social media significantly reduced following her decision to focus more on her relationship with Combs.
She stated that her sole means of financial support came from child support provided by another individual, also known as Combs.
In the federal indictment where charges were laid against Combs, the individual known as “Victim 2” made her first appearance on the witness stand on June 5.
Under the alias Jane, she shared with the court her deep infatuation for the business magnate, which blossomed during a visit to Miami in early 2021. She openly acknowledged engaging in extended, consensual intimate activities that included baby oil with Combs when their relationship was still new.
However, as testified by Jane in May, he orchestrated a situation where she would engage in sexual activity with another person, which he observed for the first time. Reluctantly, she admitted that she did so because “it covered my rent expenses”.
According to Jane’s statements, those incidents mentioned in the indictment and described by Ventura and others as “freak offs,” were also referred to as “nights of debauchery” or simply “hotel nights.
She went on to explain that these extended periods ranged from 24 to 36 hours without rest, and they often involved more than one person.
Jane stated, “On occasion, the same thing happened multiple times with different individuals. In those situations, I suppressed my true feelings.
Ultimately, Jane no longer worked or traveled because Combs required her presence and he covered all her costs and organized childcare for her, as she was a single mother, she mentioned.
She told the court, “I felt a sense of duty to perform alongside him, and when I was with Sean, I became completely engrossed by him.
Judge Subramanian warned that Defendant Combs would be escorted out of the courtroom if he continued to make facial expressions directed at the jury.
The judge emphasized to Combs’ legal team on June 5 that there should be no facial expressions shown to the jury, as he had made this intention abundantly clear. However, during a particular line of questioning, it appeared that Combs was nodding intensely and making eye contact with the jury.
Subramanian stated firmly, “I find such actions unacceptable. We must refrain from engaging with this jury in any manner. A repetition may lead me to issue instructions to the jury, or even expel your client 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 courtroom, Bongolan explained to the jury that she had initiated a civil lawsuit worth $10 million against Combs in November 2024. This action was taken after an incident in 2016 where she claimed he had dangerously held her over a 17th-floor balcony and then carelessly tossed her onto nearby furniture below.
“I wanted to seek justice for what happened to me,” Bongolan said, “on the balcony.”
A well-known fashion designer has initiated a legal action, claiming that a prominent rapper committed sexual assault, caused emotional harm, and unlawfully detained him, as stated in court records that were acquired by Rolling Stone magazine.
The lawsuit brought forth by her lawyer, James R. Nikraftar, asserted that the act of threatening someone by hanging them over a balcony serves either to deliberately murder them or to instill intense fear in them, stripping them of any sense of control over their personal bodily rights and security.
Bryana declared that, in the year 2016, the prominent rap magnate was said to have suspended her over a balcony on the seventeenth floor, followed by tossing her onto surrounding pieces of furniture.
According to Bongolan’s account of the event at Ventura’s Comstock apartment, she claimed that someone followed her, picked her up, and placed her on top of a railing. She weighed approximately 100-115 pounds at the time, with her feet resting on the rail. She was struggling to maintain her balance, pushing back against him out of fear that she might fall.
She remarked on June 4th that for a brief moment she feared losing her balance, saying, ‘It seemed like I might stumble.’ He was shouting angrily at her, accusing her of something she didn’t understand. She replied, ‘I don’t know what I did wrong,’ but he continued to shout.
Later on, Bongolan claimed that around ten to fifteen seconds later, Combs pushed her towards the balcony furniture. This happened just as Ventura emerged, and before the pair entered the apartment to have a conversation. She added that the hip-hop tycoon ultimately departed from the residence.
After the reported event, Bongolan stated that she experienced persistent after-effects. She shared, “I often have disturbing dreams and feel quite anxious, and I would frequently yell in my sleep.” However, she also mentioned that these symptoms have lessened somewhat.
Attorney Emily Johnson informed Judge Subramanian that the authorities discovered a news source disclosed the true name of Combs’ previous assistant, who was referred to as “Mia” throughout the trial.
Johnson stated that the government is politely asking the Court to think about mandating the removal of a specific post, and also consider if additional actions are needed, such as prohibiting those who violate the Court’s orders from participating in this trial, whether it be here or in other courtrooms.
Judge Subramanian requested the prosecution to write their arguments, and he assured them that he would definitely take them into account.
Previously with Bad Boy Entertainment, Derek Ferguson disclosed to the prosecutors that in the year 2011, rap mogul Sean Combs received a $20,000 bank transfer from Cassie Ventura’s father, Rodrick Ventura, as per the investigators’ presentation of records.
Previously in the court proceedings, it was Regina Ventura who stated that Diddy (also known as Combs) threatened to disclose intimate videos of her daughter once she started dating Scott Mescudi, better recognized by his stage name Kid Cudi.
Previously, Regina mentioned that they (Regina and Roderick) borrowed money using their home’s equity as collateral to get the required funds, as this was the only option available for them to acquire cash.
She informed the prosecution that he was upset because he’d given her money, only to discover she was with someone else.
A fervent backer of Sean “Diddy” Combs, who’s been present nearly every day of his trial, was escorted out of the courtroom following an outburst in the main courtroom, according to NBC News.
On June 3rd, amidst the hearing, a supporter could be heard shouting, “Everyone’s mocking Diddy!” from the extra seating areas. He felt it was unfair how they were treating him.
After asserting Combs’ innocence, she yelled at him, “People are trying to do you wrong.”
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2025-06-16 17:53