Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial live updates: Ex-girlfriend 'Jane' returns for cross examination
A former girlfriend of Sean "Diddy" Combs, identified by the pseudonym "Jane," returns to the stand after more emotionally wrenching testimony yesterday.
Over the past few days, "Jane" has testified about "hotel nights," graphic sexual encounters that were nearly identical to what Combs' another former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, described on the stand as "freak offs."
Combs faces 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. Combs has vociferously denied the allegations against him.
This live briefing may include graphic descriptions of sexual violence. For resources on sexual assault, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline.
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The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
Ex-Fox News anchor's rape accuser ‘feels vindicated' after assault charge is dropped
Former Fox News producer Jennifer Eckhart has said that she 'feels vindicated' after an assault charge against her was dropped. The podcaster, who recently settled a sexual assault lawsuit against former Fox News anchor Ed Henry, was booked by Florida's Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office last month on suspicion of battery during an incident allegedly involving her ex-boyfriend. The 34-year-old was accused of being 'combative' toward her ex, Thomas Beasley, after he tried to end the relationship, according to an arrest warrant. Eckhart denied the version of events in the police report. Now the Palm Beach County State Attorney has dropped the case against her due to 'insufficient evidence' and 'an uncooperative victim,' according to legal documents obtained by The Independent. Eckhart said that the ordeal had been 'highly distressing.' 'I feel vindicated that this matter has been resolved in my favor, with the state declining to file any charges,' Eckhart told The Independent, alleging that she 'acted in self defense' but not elaborating further. Eckhart is the host of the REINVITED podcast and runs a non-profit called The Reinvited Project, which aims to support trauma survivors through animal-assisted therapy. 'My mission has always been to turn pain into purpose — through my platform, I will continue standing alongside survivors of assault, abuse, and domestic violence, reminding them they are not alone and that strength and healing are possible,' Eckhart added. Beasley did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent. 'Ms. Eckhart is innocent and was purely acting in self defense,' Eckhart's attorney, Michelle Suskauer, said. 'We are pleased that the state did the right thing and did not pursue this matter any further.' On June 15, Eckhart settled her 2020 lawsuit against ex-Fox News anchor Ed Henry, in which she accused him of rape. Henry, who was fired from Fox News in July 2020, denied the allegations. He now works for another right-wing news network, NewsMax. In the lawsuit, Eckhart alleged that the former Fox News anchor 'groomed, psychologically manipulated and coerced' her into a sexual relationship while referring to her as his personal 'sex slave.' Eventually, after she 'would not comply voluntarily' with his sexual demands, she claimed he violently raped her in 2017. 'This has been an exhaustive, retraumatizing, five-year legal battle with incredible challenges that at times I almost felt was unable to bear,' Eckhart told PEOPLE after her settlement. 'With this settlement in place, a weight has now been lifted from my shoulders and my passion to support fellow trauma survivors has been renewed.' Fox News was initially a defendant in Eckhart's lawsuit, as she claimed the network downplayed the severity of the risk Henry posed to female employees and retaliated against her by firing her in June 2020 after she complained about a hostile work environment. Prior to the settlement, Fox News was dismissed as a defendant from the case. In her ruling, U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams said there was 'no direct evidence that Fox News was aware of Henry's alleged harassment of Eckhart before it occurred.' Additionally, Abrams agreed with Fox's legal team that 'no reasonable jury' would find the network liable for preventing 'Henry from harming Eckhart.' 'This matter has been resolved to the mutual satisfaction of the parties, and the parties are moving on with their lives,' Henry's attorney said in a statement when the settlement was reached.
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Two suspects in viral Cincinnati brawl walk free after having their bond slashed
Two women accused of being involved in a brutal Cincinnati brawl that went viral have been allowed to walk free from jail after having their bond slashed. DeKyra Vernon, 24, and Aisha Devaughn, 25, both accused of felonious assault and aggravated rioting last month, have now released from the Hamilton County Jail on bond. The pair had their bond significantly reduced while being arraigned on Thursday, with Vernon's being slashed from $250,000 to $25,000 at ten percent, and Devaughn's reduced from $300,000 to $25,000 at ten percent, Fox News reported. Footage of the wild brawl which broke out in the early hours of July 26 shocked the nation. Six people were left severely injured after a large group descended on several people outside of a nightclub in downtown Cincinnati's business district. A man in a white t-shirt was shoved to the ground and beaten by two men as other members of the crowd jeered and joined in. The group beat the man for nearly a minute as he lay in the middle of the street, appearing to step on his head multiple times. When the barrage of attacks temporarily stopped, the victim was seen attempting to stand - but immediately fell over in apparent disorientation. A woman, identified as Holly, had attempted to break up the fight before she was knocked unconscious and fell to the floor. Brutal images show Holly sustained a black eye and a swollen bruised face. But she claimed police 'acted nonchalant' when they arrived at the scene and did not call for backup or an ambulance. Holly defended her actions that night, noting that she was the only person who decided to jump in to help the man because it was 'the right thing to do.' So far, seven people have been charged in relation to the brutal beating. Patrick Rosemond, 38, Jermaine Matthews, 39, Montianez Merriweather, 34, and Dominique Kittle, 37, have been charged with three counts of felonious assault, three counts of assault and two counts of aggravated rioting. Rosemond, a convicted felon who is believed to have been the 'main instigator' in the incident, was said to have 'assaulted each and every single victim' in the beatdown, Fox News reported. Hamilton County Common Pleas Court heard that he allegedly punched Holly and 'almost caused her death,' and was allegedly seen dancing and 'taunting' the victims. He pleaded not guilty to all charges and was permitted release on a $500,000 bond. Merriweather is also facing a federal gun charge for illegally owning a weapon as a felon, Fox News reported. Matthews posted his $250,000 bond immediately following his arrest. Gregory Wright, 32, was indicted on charges of aggravated riot and felony aggravated robbery for allegedly stealing the victim's necklace while others beat him. '[He] did by force rip the necklace off the victim while he was being assaulted by four or more co-defendants attempting to cause serious physical harm,' the criminal complaint obtained by the outlet said. The Cincinnati Police Department is on the hunt for an eight suspect in the brawl, and released a photo of the man asking for assistance in identifying him. Police Chief Teresa Theetge said the incident was not connected to the jazz festival that was going on in Cincinnati that weekend. 'This was a sudden dispute between individuals following a verbal altercation,' she added. 'What I saw on video is not the Cincinnati I know and love,' Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich said, Fox News reported. 'These charges hold those involved in the attack accountable.' Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy wrote on social media: 'I spoke to Holly earlier today (the woman tragically assaulted in Cincinnati this weekend). She's a single working mom who went to a friend's birthday party. It's unconscionable that there were no police present in that area of Cincinnati on a Friday night, or even an ambulance to take her to the hospital.' Gregory Wright (left), 32, was arrested and charged with alleged aggravated riot and aggravated robbery. He allegedly stole the victim's necklace while others beat him Patrick Rosemond (left) and Dominique Kittle (right) have been charged with three counts of felonious assault, three charges of assault and two charges of aggravated rioting Vice President JD Vance said the brawl was particularly offensive because a woman was 'sucker punched' by a 'grown man.' 'What I saw, and I haven't seen the full context, but what I saw is a mob of lawless thugs beating up on an innocent person. 'It's disgusting and I hope every single one of those people who engage in violence is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. 'I don't know the full context, but the one part that I saw that was really gruesome is you had a grown man who sucker punched a middle-age woman,' he added, referencing the woman, Holly, who Ramaswamy spoke to. 'That person ought to go to jail for a very long time - and frankly, he's lucky there weren't some better people around because they would've handled it themselves. 'We have got to make great American cities safe again for families and children, the only way to destroy that street violence is to take the thugs who engage in that violence and throw their a**es in prison.'
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Gang of six schoolgirls aged 12 and 13 are arrested after 'park assault' on a 13-year-old girl
A gang of schoolgirls aged 12 and 13 have been arrested after an alleged assault on a 13-year-old girl in a park. Police rushed to Wish Park in Hove, Sussex on Friday at around 5.55pm after reports of the attack. The victim was taken to hospital for assessment of her injuries and has since been discharged. Enquiries are ongoing following the arrest of two 12-year-old and four 13-year-old girls, all from Brighton. Chief Inspector Simon Marchant, of the Neighbourhood Policing Team in Brighton, said: 'This was a deeply troubling incident which has understandably caused concern within the local community. 'Our officers have now arrested all of the young people we wanted to speak with in connection with the report, and wider enquiries remain underway. 'We are aware that footage relating to this incident is circulating online, and we continue to urge the public not to share or speculate, as this could affect any future legal proceedings. 'This case is being fully and robustly investigated, and if you have information to report, we ask you come forward and speak with police.'
