Introduction to the Trial
The fourth week of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial featured testimony from the second of two ex-girlfriends who are crucial witnesses in the government’s quest to prove sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges against the hip-hop mogul.
Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, has pleaded not guilty in the trial, which resumes Monday.
Key Moments from the Past Week
Here are key moments from the past week:
Hotel Worker Testimony
Fearing career ruin, Combs delivered $100,000 in cash to a security guard for a Los Angeles hotel in return for assurances that he was given the only security footage of Combs’ 2016 attack on then-girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, the security guard testified. Eddy Garcia, 33, recounted how the deal came to be, saying he first heard from a fast-talking, stuttering and “very nervous” Combs on a phone call seeking to obtain the video of him kicking and dragging Cassie from the hotel’s elevator bank into a hallway because “if this got out it could ruin him.”
Judge Threatens Combs with Trial Expulsion
Minutes after a prosecutor complained that Combs was seen “nodding furiously” as his lawyer cross-examined a witness on Thursday, Judge Arun Subramanian took a look himself and said he saw Combs “nodding vigorously and looking at the jury” and doing the same later when the lawyers and the judge were having a sidebar discussion. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey said prosecutors were concerned because the gestures amounted to “testifying by nodding affirmatively” while his lawyer asked questions.
Mia’s Testimony
A former Combs personal assistant who testified under the pseudonym “Mia” told jurors that Combs had sexually assaulted her multiple times over her eight-year career, though the attacks were “random, sporadic, so oddly spaced out” so that she thought each was the last. She said he first molested her and forcibly kissed her at his 40th birthday party before raping her months later in a guest room at his Los Angeles home.
Defense Success with Questioning of Cassie’s Friend
The defense had one of its most successful moments of the trial when attorney Nicole Westmoreland cast doubt on the credibility of a graphic designer who says Combs once dangled her from the balcony of a 17th-floor apartment in Los Angeles. Bryana “Bana” Bongolan, a friend of Cassie who is suing Combs, had taken a cellphone image of a softball-size welt on her leg that she said occurred when Combs held her over the balcony for 10 to 15 seconds and then threw her into furniture.
Woman Recalls Sex Performances
A woman testifying under the pseudonym “Jane” fought through tears and sobs to recount frequent sexual performances she participated in with male sex workers to please Combs and keep their three-year relationship alive until his September arrest. Jane’s testimony, which is likely to continue deep into next week, is identical in many ways to the four-day testimony in the trial’s first week by Cassie.
Conclusion
The trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs has been filled with shocking testimony and dramatic moments. As the trial continues, it remains to be seen how the jury will ultimately decide. Combs’ fate hangs in the balance, and the outcome of the trial will have significant implications for the music industry and beyond.
FAQs
Q: What are the charges against Sean "Diddy" Combs?
A: Combs is facing five criminal counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy; two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Q: Who are the key witnesses in the trial?
A: The key witnesses in the trial are two ex-girlfriends of Combs, who are testifying about their experiences with him.
Q: What is the significance of the security footage of Combs’ 2016 attack on Cassie?
A: The security footage is significant because it shows Combs kicking and dragging Cassie from the hotel’s elevator bank into a hallway, which is a key piece of evidence in the trial.
Q: What is the defense’s argument in the trial?
A: The defense argues that Combs’ interactions with the women were consensual and that they are motivated by jealousy or a desire for financial gain.
Q: How long is the trial expected to last?
A: The trial is expected to continue for several more weeks, with multiple witnesses still scheduled to testify.
