
Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial: Kid Cudi testifies his Porsche was torched with Molotov cocktail after relationship with Cassie Ventura
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The weekend comes early for jurors
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
HSI Special Agent Joshua Croft, who specializes in computer forensics, left the witness stand and drew a close on testimony for the week.
Court will not be in session tomorrow and Monday for the federal observance of Memorial Day.
When Croft left the witness stand and it was said that there'd be no more testimony, Judge Arun Subramanian jokingly asked jurors if they had any objections.
And after a bit of laughter in the courtroom, Subramanian told jurors to go for a bike ride or watch the Knicks playoff games this weekend.
Photos show damage to Kid Cudi's convertible
Prosecutors admitted photos into evidence today that showed burn damage to Kid Cudi's car, which he said was caused by a molotov cocktail in 2012 after Combs learned Cassie was dating Kid Cudi.
The photos show what appears to be a burned hole through the top of the convertible roof as well as scorch marks on the driver's seat leather and door.
Hotel manager says room marked out-of-order after Combs' stay and would require 'deep cleaning'
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Adam Reiss, Katherine Koretski and Doha Madani
Frederic Zemmour, the hotel manager at L'Ermitage hotel in Beverly Hills, testified that a room would require deep cleaning after Combs' stayed there.
Zemmour told the court that Combs would stay under an alias. Notes marked in his hotel profile included that Combs used excessive amounts of oil and spilled candle wax on everything.
The room had to be marked out of order for a deep cleaning after Combs left, Zemmour testified, and an additional $500 fee was charged for damage.
Combs' defense did not cross-examine the hotel manager.
Makeup artist testifies she gave a handful of interviews
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Adam Reiss, Katherine Koretski and David K. Li
Morales, under cross-examination, confirmed that she's done a handful of interviews in recent months as misconduct allegations agains Combs surfaced.
She acknowledged speaking on the record to well known media figures such as Don Lemon and Piers Morgan in 2024 and participating in some documentaries about Combs.
The defense sought to paint Morales as an attention seeker, but the effort seemed to fall flat.
Cassie left with swelling and busted lip after going into room with Combs, Morales says
Morales corroborated some prior testimony from Cassie Ventura, who alleged that Combs beat her in a hotel bedroom after spotting her at an unexpected party at Prince's Los Angeles home.
The makeup artist told the court that she stayed behind to take a nap on the coach of Ventura's Beverly Hills hotel room that night and woke up to a commotion later. Morales testified that Ventura came in and went straight to the bedroom with Combs behind her.
The couple shut the door to the bedroom and Morales said she heard yelling and screaming before Combs left the hotel. She did not witness what occurred between the couple but said Ventura had a swollen eye, busted lip and knots on her head after the incident.
Morales testified that Ventura stayed with her for a few days after the incident and a doctor friend came to check on the singer, who refused to go to the emergency room.
The incident left Morales in fear for her life, so she didn't call the police, she said. She and Ventura saw each other a few times after that night but never acknowledged the incident, she said.
Government calls out 'sexual stereotypes' conveyed in topless pictures
Adam Reiss, Katherine Koretski and David K. Li
Prosecutors accused the defense of prompting "sexual stereotypes" by handing over topless pictures of Cassie Ventura.
Combs' team gave the government pictures that showed when the next witness, the makeup artists Morales, did work for the defendant. Several of those pictures were of a topless Ventura, which drew Comey's ire.
"We don't want the suggestion of sexual stereotypes that if she dressed like this for photo shoots and in public it is more likely she consented to sexual activity," Comey told the judge.
Judge Subramanian also questioned whether any of the topless photos were relevant and defense lawyer Anna Estevao responded: "It shows that she had a full and blossoming career."
Subramanian allowed the defense to use some of the images, but not the topless ones.
Makeup artist Mylah Morales to take the witness stand
Mylah Morales, a makeup artist Cassie Ventura mentioned in her testimony, is expected to take the witness stand when court resumes after lunch.
Last week, Ventura told the court that Morales stayed behind to nap as she and her friends went to a last-minute party at Prince's home. But Ventura rushed out once she saw Combs, whom she said she didn't speak to before going to the party.
According to Ventura, Combs tracked her down and beat her in another room while Morales was in the vicinity. Ventura told the court she then stayed with Morales for a few days as her injuries healed.
Government and judge livid over 'sexual' questions
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
Away from the ears of jurors, Judge Subramanian chastised the defense for asking Kid Cudi about any sex he might have had with Cassie Ventura.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey called defense lawyer Steele's line of questioning "outrageous" and said: "We were shocked that defense spoke about sexual activity with this witness."
The judge agreed and said, "The line was clear and crossed."
"Mr. Steele, you knew the rule and it you did anyway," Subramanian said. "Is it going to happen again?"
"No," Steele replied.
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Kid Cudi testimony concludes, court goes to lunch
Kid Cudi is off the witness stand and is not expected to return.
Judge Subramanian instructed everyone to go to lunch and return at 1 p.m. ET, giving everyone roughly 45 minutes to break.
Kid Cudi testifies he had to break away from Cassie, as 'drama' was 'out of hand'
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
Kid Cudi said he and Cassie needed to stop seeing each other due to the blowback of events that seemed to unfold.
"The drama was too out of hand and to give her some space," the witness said of them pumping the brakes on any possible relationship.
Cassie was worried and shaken up over Combs, Kid Cudi says
Cassie was worried that Combs would go to Kid Cudi's home and appeared to be shaken about Combs' discovery of her relationship with Kid Cudi, the rapper testified.
Prosecutor Emily Johnson took over Kid Cudi's questioning after the defense, asking what Cassie told him about Combs' abuse. Kid Cudi told the court that Cassie informed him that Combs would hit and sometimes kick her.
Kid Cudi agrees he and Combs met over both of them being 'played' by Cassie
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
Defense attorney Brian Steele asked Kid Cudi about the meeting he had with Combs, characterizing it as about a relationship where both men were "played."
Cudi agreed with Steele and responded "true" when Steele asked if the person who "played" both men was Cassie. Steele also asked Kid Cudi if Cassie was living two different lives, to which the rapper responded that she was.
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The intimate life of Cassie and Kid Cudi ruled to be out of bounds
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian appeared to shut down defense efforts to get into the deeply private details of Ventura and Kid Cudi's relationship.
When Combs' attorney Brian Steele, on cross-examination, asked Kid Cudi if he and Ventura ever had consensual sexual relations, the government objected and both sides met the judge for a sidebar away from jurors' ears.
When that meeting broke up, Steele went on to another line of questions.
Combs apologized years after off-putting meeting, Kid Cudi said
Combs' calmness during their meeting after the car fire was off-putting, Kid Cudi told the court.
At the end of the meeting, he said, he shook hands with Combs and asked Combs what they were going to do about his car. Combs told Kid Cudi he didn't have any idea what he was talking about, the rapper testified.
Combs then asked if they were cool, Kid Cudi told the court, but Cudi responded that Combs burned his car. A few years after the meeting, Cudi testified, Combs gave him a general apology for the past.
It was the last thing he expected to hear from Combs, Kid Cudi said.
Witness compares Combs to a 'Marvel supervillain'
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
Kid Cudi recalled thinking Combs was like a comic book bad guy shortly after the witness' car had been torched in an attack he blamed on the defendant.
The pair agreed to see each other at Los Angeles hotel meeting room and Combs was already there by the time Kid Cudi arrived, the witness said.
Combs was calmly looking out the window with hands behind his back, looking like a "Marvel supervillain," Kid Cudi said.
Tense moment in court as defense objects to Kid Cudi connecting Combs to car fire
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
There was a hot moment in court when Kid Cudi was asked why he requested to meet with Combs after his car was set on fire.
The rapper responded that he reached out because he knew Combs was involved with the fire. Combs' defense objected to Kid Cudi's speculation, and his answer was struck from the record.
Judge Subramanian denied a request for attorneys to sidebar and the prosecution continued to question Kid Cudi.
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Kid Cudi is comfortable and matter-of-fact in his testimony
Kid Cudi doesn't appear to be nervous or stressed at all on the witness stand, answering questions with a very matter-of-fact tone.
The rapper seems comfortable and is speaking in a conversational manner as he relays his past interactions with Combs.
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Combs calmly listening to Kid Cudi's testimony
Katherine Koretski and David K. Li
Combs appeared to be calmly taking in Kid Cudi's testimony without showing much emotion.
At times, he sat back in his chair at the defense table with arms and legs crossed, as Kid Cudi described wild confrontations with the defendant.
Combs wore was cream-colored top and khaki pants to court today.
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Molotov cocktail set Kid Cudi's car aflame, he said
Kid Cudi's car caught fire in his driveway one day in 2012 while Cudi said he was about 45 minutes away from home.
The rapper testified that his dog sitter called to tell him what was happening and he rushed home. A friend sent him photos that showed the top of his Porsche open where a Molotov cocktail was thrown in, Kid Cudi said.
Prosecutors showed photos of the car in court and had Kid Cudi describe them.
Cassie testified that Combs threatened her and Kid Cudi, saying that Combs wanted to set fire to Kid Cudi's car in the man's driveway. She also told the court that Combs assured it would not be by his hands and he would not be in the country when it happened.
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Combs allegedly broke into Kid Cudi's home
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
Kid Cudi recalled how angry he was when Combs allegedly broke into his home in the Hollywood Hills.
The Grammy-winning rapper said Combs was remarkably calm when he called to confront him.
"He said, 'What's up?'" and I said, 'Motherf-----, are you in my house?' He said, 'I am here waiting for you,'" Kid Cudi testified.
He told the court that he wanted to fight Combs, but reminded himself that he didn't know who Combs might have with him.
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Combs' employee told Kid Cudi that Combs was in his house
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
Kid Cudi testified that he got a call from Ventura in December 2011 saying that Combs had found out about the couple and that she asked him to pick her up. She was nervous and told Kid Cudi that Combs was abusive, he said.
Once Ventura was with him, Kid Cudi told the court, he took her to the Sunset Marquis to keep her safe and away from Combs.
At one point, he said, he received a call letting him know that Combs and an associate were at Kid Cudi's home. Cudi said the call was made by Combs' employee at the time, Capricorn Clark, and Ventura was with her on speakerphone.
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Kid Cudi says he and Cassie Ventura starting dating during break in her relationship with Combs
Kid Cudi briefly met Ventura at an event in 2008 but they didn't start to date until 2011, he testified.
According to him, Ventura was having problems with Combs at the time and, to his knowledge, the couple were not dating when Ventura and Kid Cudi got together.
Debate over whether Kid Cudi can talk about his dog gets some laughs
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
Earlier this morning, before the jury was seated, the attorneys had some humorous debate over whether Kid Cudi could testify about his dog's behavioral changes after a 2011 break-in at his home.
Defense attorney Brian Steele told Judge Arun Subramanian that the government wanted Kid Cudi to testify that his dog was traumatized after being put behind a closed door in December 2011. Prosecutor Emily Johnson argued that observations about the dog are relevant to the break-in.
"He's not going to testify to what the dog thought," Subramanian said, eliciting laughter from those in the courtroom.
Kid Cudi can testify about the dog, the judge decided, but only in broad terms, as Johnson noted that the dog is "no longer with us."
Kid Cudi takes the stand to testify against Combs
Scott Mescudi, known by his stage name Kid Cudi, has taken the witness stand.
The rapper had a brief relationship with Combs' former girlfriend Ventura in December 2011 that prompted a threat of violence and blackmail from Combs, she testified last week.
Kid Cudi is expected to confirm much of Ventura's prior testimony in regard to Combs' violent threats against him.
Assistant doesn't remember if he told security about apple throwing incident
Doha Madani and Katherine Koretski
Combs' former assistant doesn't remember if he told Combs' security about a violent incident involving Combs pelting decorative apples at a woman.
Kaplan testified that he had no recollection of telling anyone on the security team about the incident, which he described under direct examination. Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo also asked Kaplan whether he was ever personally threatened by Combs.
Though Kaplan said his job was threatened by Combs frequently, he said he was never subjected to threats of physical violence from his former employer.
Biggie Smalls' birthday a company holiday
Katherine Koretski and David K. Li
The witness knows that late rapper Christopher Wallace, better known as Biggie Smalls or the Notorious B.I.G., was born on May 21 — because that date was a Combs company holiday.
The defense lawyer Agnifilo asked Kaplan if he would've been working yesterday if he were still employed by Combs.
Kaplan said no, because Combs gave everyone the day off from work to mark the 1972 date when Wallace was born. The 24-year-old Brooklyn rapper was gunned down in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997.
Working for Combs was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
Though he didn't always like how Combs acted, Kaplan described his time working as the mogul's personal assistant as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Kaplan told the court during cross-examination Combs that pushed him to depths he didn't know he was capable of and that Kaplan's friends described it as his Harvard University. He described his work setting up Combs' meals, schedule, travel and planning a company "offsite" as part of his administrative duties.
It appears that Combs' defense is trying to undermine the government's case on Combs' racketeering charge, which asserts that Combs used his business as a criminal enterprise.
Violence prompted former assistant to quit in 2015, he says
George Kaplan left his job as Combs' assistant in December 2015 because he was not comfortable with the physical behavior he witnessed over the months in his role, he said.
He said it was a challenging decision but that he knew it was the right thing to do. In addition to the plane incident he said he witnessed and attending to Ventura's wounds at a different time, Kaplan told the court he saw Combs throwing decorative apples at another woman.
The alleged incident occurred in Miami between Combs and a woman named Gina. Kaplan testified that he saw an angry Combs throwing three of the apples at Gina as she tried to shield herself.
Kaplan said he heard a commotion later that night with screaming back and forth — after Kaplan said he gave Combs a medicine bag. Others have testified that Combs had a Louis Vuitton "med bag" full of illicit drugs.
The former assistant said he put in his resignation in September 2015 but that the reason he gave Combs was that his father was sick with cancer. Combs was very gracious at the time, he told the court, also testifying that he had to compartmentalize his experience working for Combs.
Ventura's bruised face needed immediate attention
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
The witness said he once had to rush out of Combs' home to buy health and beauty items to cover up nasty bruises on Ventura's face.
Kaplan recalled the incident in Los Angeles in 2015 when he said he saw a visibly upset Ventura with bruising under her right eyebrow. That prompted Combs to order him to get over-the-counter lotions and other remedies to mask the discoloration, Kaplan told jurors.
The witness said he specifically remembered buying witch hazel.
'Isn't anybody seeing this?' Former assistant says Ventura cried for help during incident with Combs on private plane
George Kaplan, Combs' former assistant, told the court today that he witnessed a physical altercation between Combs and Ventura in 2015 during a private plane ride to Las Vegas.
Kaplan testified that he was seated at a table on the plane and that he heard glass shattering behind him. He then saw Combs standing over Ventura with a whiskey glass, who was on her back with her legs out trying to create space.
He heard a scuffle as Ventura screamed, "Isn't anybody seeing this?" before hearing more glass crashing, Kaplan testified. The former assistant said he was only 23 years old at the time, he told the court, and security did not intervene.
He said Combs came up to sit in the plane's cabin but told Ventura to stay in the back, where the bedroom was located behind a partition.
Who is Kid Cudi?
Deon J. Hampton and Pilar Melendez
Grammy Award-winning rapper Kid Cudi is expected to testify today.
The 41-year-old, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, is expected to testify about his romantic relationship with Cassie Ventura over a decade ago, including an allegation that Combs blew up his car.
Cudi's testimony will be key for the prosecution as it tries to bolster its charges that Combs engaged in racketeering and sex trafficking.
Cudi first gained national attention in 2008 with the release of his mixtape "A Kid Named Cudi." He is known for his hits "Pursuit of Happiness" and "Day N Nite."
Cassie Ventura testified last week that Combs kicked her after finding out she was cheating on him with Cudi in 2011.
Ventura's 2023 lawsuit alleges Combs told her at Paris Fashion Week in 2012 that he was going to blow up Cudi's car after learning about the affair. Around that time, the lawsuit alleges, Cudi's car exploded in his driveway.
Here's a recap of yesterday
A federal agent, a former executive assistant and a clinical and forensic psychologist testified at the trial yesterday.
Gerard Gannon, a federal special agent who planned the search of Combs' Miami home last year, walked jurors through photos of items seized at the property. Among the items were cellphones stuffed inside a designer boot, a designer bag filled with drugs including ketamine and MDMA, dozens of bottles of lubricant, and a .45 caliber handgun in a red suitcase.
Dawn Hughes, a clinical and forensic psychologist, testified about the impact of abuse trauma. She told jurors that victims of domestic violence often stay with their abusers and sometimes delay disclosing what they have experienced. The prosecution called Hughes to attempt to rebut the defense's suggestion that Ventura (and other women) could have left Combs.
George Kaplan, a former assistant to Combs who was granted immunity to testify, told jurors that the music mogul "threatened" his job monthly. He told jurors how he bought "supplies" for Combs' hotel room, including candles, baby oil and lubricant.
Kid Cudi taking center stage today
David K. Li
Grammy-winning rapper Kid Cudi will be the biggest name yet to take the witness stand in Combs' trial.
The 41-year-old's name has been mentioned several times in testimony, as Cudi's ties to Combs' former girlfriend Cassie Ventura allegedly sent the defendant into violent tantrums.
Kid Cudi, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, is set to testify once Kaplan is finished. After Cudi finishes his testimony, makeup artist Mylah Morales, former Combs Enterprises CFO Tony Abrahams and John Croft are next on the witness list to take the stand.

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NBC News
a day ago
- NBC News
At Sean 'Diddy' Combs' trial, some online content creators are playing by different rules
In recent years, the defamation suit between actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard and the shooting of Megan Thee Stallion by fellow rapper Tory Lanez put a new spin on how celebrity trials are covered, as content creators and vloggers flooded social media feeds with the most explosive moments. The federal trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs is no exception. Each day, outside a towering courthouse in lower Manhattan, a horde of traditional media outlets, online streamers and curious spectators jostle to score a seat inside the main courtroom where Combs is facing sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges that could result in a lengthy prison sentence if convicted. Sign up for the ' Diddy on Trial ' newsletter for key developments and analysis When the proceedings pause for a lunch break or conclude for the day, it's the dozens of content creators who take center stage, scrambling to the sidewalks to set up their cellphone tripods and emote the latest testimony and courtroom drama for their eager followers. But with Combs' fate unfolding in a trial that is not being televised, the rush to relay every sordid detail and rack up views can pose challenges fraught with ethical issues as well. The real-life consequences came to light when two women who took the stand using pseudonyms were exposed when their presumed names were leaked online, highlighting how irresponsible behavior in this new wave of content creation can be harmful. Federal prosecutors said 'Mia,' a former assistant to Combs, had her identity revealed by a YouTube streamer who had been in the courtroom and her name was also posted on X, while another court watcher may have unmasked 'Jane,' an ex-girlfriend of Combs who testified over six days. Jane's personal lawyer told U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian last week that such 'posts and media outlets threaten her safety and privacy that led to the court's pseudonym order.' Subramanian has said he would consider specific media gag orders or barring violators from court in a trial poised to continue through early July. Revealing the names of Combs' accusers wouldn't necessarily impact the trial itself, since jurors aren't supposed to consume media about the case or talk about it to others — but it still represents a line that must be tread carefully, said Mark Chutkow, a defense lawyer who handled racketeering cases as a federal prosecutor in Detroit. If names are leaked, he said, 'it could deter victims from coming forward in future high-profile cases because they won't believe the law enforcement assurances that their identities will be protected.' To help protect the accusers' identities, the court sketches of them released publicly have not included their facial features, and traditional media coverage of their testimonies hasn't included physical descriptions. For the creator behind the YouTube account Make It Make Sense, which has more than 213,000 subscribers, shining a light on the accusers' experiences was an important reason to cover the trial, he said. He temporarily moved to New York to be in the courthouse each day. 'Do not try to guess who Jane is, please,' he told his followers recently. 'It's not a joke. She is supposed to remain anonymous.' The creator behind Make It Make Sense told NBC News after court ended this week that 'legacy media' may understand the repercussions of certain actions, but there is a different attitude among some content creators who are attending these high-profile trials for the first time and seeking to go viral. 'Exposing people's names does not move the needle or change the story,' said the channel's creator, who asked for his real name not to be used because of fears for his personal safety. One afternoon after Combs' trial let out, a woman who said she works as a court employee gushed as she watched popular online streamers — like the man behind Make It Make Sense — leaving the courthouse. 'They're how I get my information,' she said. And no legal background is required. For some content creators, it's simply about fulfilling people's curiosity — and their own. Michelle Bracy of Manhattan said her TikTok account, miss_knockout, has grown from about 9,000 followers since Combs' trial began in mid-May to now more than 35,800. She said she goes live in the mornings before the trial starts, sits in court where she takes extensive notes on a legal pad, and then returns outside the courthouse at the day's end, sometimes broadcasting through the evening. 'I do follow the rules because, of course, it's TikTok, and you don't want to be removed,' Bracy said, 'but I also make my coverage more relatable to people. And I stay in the middle. I'm not on this side, I'm not on that side. I just get the facts on both sides.' The 2022 courtroom dispute between Depp and Heard showcased a new frontier among online content creation. The trial, which was televised, attracted droves of livestreamers and spectators to outside a Fairfax, Virginia, courthouse where they could show their support for either side. Online as well, memes and hashtags, particularly ones manufactured to support Depp, popped up and gained billions of views on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. Combs' case has not attracted that same groundswell, as the initial appearance of people in 'Free Diddy' T-shirts early in the trial has subsided outside the courthouse. But on days when certain witnesses have taken the stand, including his ex-girlfriend, Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura, the rapper Kid Cudi and Jane, their presence reinvigorates interest. On Friday, the courthouse was buzzing with a surprise appearance by the rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, who tried to get inside the main courtroom to support Combs and was ushered instead to a court overflow room, where he stayed for several minutes. When he left, members of the media and vloggers ran for the elevators to follow him outside, sprinting across the promenade to catch him before a car could whisk him away. It's these viral moments and quick interactions with key figures in the trial that content creators like Bracy yearn for, she said. She had her own moment last month with one of Combs' defense lawyers that helped increase her followers. 'Are you Brian Steel?' she said before Steel entered the courthouse. 'Can you say 'hi' to my TikTok real quick?' 'Hey,' Steel responded. The idea that other content creators would defy court orders in Combs' trial is disappointing, Bracy told NBC News. 'You got to respect the court system and the judge,' she said, 'and be bright enough not to repeat the names.' Competition can be stiff among the creators. When court lets out, they jockey for position with television cameras as Combs' family, including his mother and children, are escorted by security to their car. The spectacle can draw a small crowd from interested passersby. Oota Ongo, a YouTube streamer from Brooklyn, gives street preacher energy as he talks to his more than 13,600 subscribers from outside the courthouse. He told NBC News that he started covering the trial, his first, to 'see everything for myself and put my biases aside.' The most surprising thing about the trial, he added, has been knowing how much sway he can have. 'How small content creators, big content creators, big publications, big news programs, all of these people are merging as one,' Ongo said. 'I really dived in,' he added. 'This is our trial of the century.' On a recent afternoon after court, he began streaming to his channel, contending with several other online streamers pacing the sidewalk, a crush of media cameras and reporters, and unrelenting New York City street noise. He took it all in, anticipating what's to come when the jury finally reaches a verdict after weeks of an energized trial. Like 'Madison Square [Garden] out here. Psychos. People on unicycles, like this,' an expressive Ongo told his followers, pointing to a man pedaling a unicycle. 'All of that going on. Drinking and juggling going by you. The Moon Man. All of that is out here because they're here every day.'


NBC News
2 days ago
- NBC News
A juror in the Sean 'Diddy' Combs sex-trafficking trial is expected to be dismissed
A juror in the Sean 'Diddy' Combs sex trafficking trial is expected to be dismissed from the case on Monday over inconsistencies about where he lives. The issue came up this week, five weeks into the trial, during a conversation Juror No. 6 had with the jury department, indicating he had moved to New Jersey a few weeks ago to live with his girlfriend. That conversation sparked another discussion among legal counsels, who pressed for more information. Jurors in the case must live in New York state and district courts have broad discretion to replace a juror for any violation. The juror, a 41-year-old Black male who works in communications at a correctional facility, told court officials he was living in a New York apartment during the work week. His story later changed to him living with his daughter and fiancée in the Bronx. At some point, he told court officials he lived with his aunt in the Bronx. Earlier Friday, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian said he was leaning against dismissing the juror, saying there was likely an innocent explanation for the conflicting answers. But as more details emerged, Subramanian said there were serious concerns about his candor and it appeared the juror either could not follow simple instructions or there was an effort to be deceptive. Subramanian warned that removal of the juror may be required. Defense attorney Xavier Donaldson said the juror answered the question about where he resides as truthfully as possible and suggested bringing him back to court because he wanted to remain on the jury. Prosecutors argued that the juror's removal is necessary to protect the integrity of the court proceedings. The juror said during jury selection that he enjoyed listening to reggaeton and '90s hip-hop, and his hobbies included sports and fantasy football. 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.


NBC News
2 days ago
- NBC News
Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial live updates: Ye makes quick courthouse appearance in rare show of celebrity support for Combs
What to know about the sex trafficking trial Ye, the controversial rapper formerly known as Kanye West, made a quick courthouse appearance today. He told reporters he was in attendance to show his support for Sean 'Diddy' Combs. Ye spent about 40 minutes at the court but didn't make it inside the courtroom before departing. Special Agent Andre LeMon, Jonathan Perez and Ananya Sankar are expected to be called to the witness stand next, a day after Combs' former girlfriend 'Jane' wrapped up about a week of testimony. 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. Juror thrown off panel A juror was dismissed from the panel after he allegedly gave conflicting answers about where he lives. The man had given different answers to questions about where he primarily lives, in either New York or across the Hudson River in New Jersey with his girlfriend. Earlier in the day, Judge Subramanian had said he was leaning against dismissing the juror, saying there was likely an innocent explanation for any conflicting answers. But by the end of the court day, Subramanian said there were "serious question about his candor and ability to follow instructions." Perez 'feels great' about Combs The witness said he left Combs' company but harbors absolutely no ill will toward his former boss. Perez said he wanted to avoid any kind of legal entanglement and thought working for Combs could put him into such a situation. The last time he spoke with Combs was the day the music mogul was arrested last year, he testified. "I feel great about him, the same way I did when I was leaving my employment," Perez said. 'Jane' appeared to be willing participant in 'king night' outings, witness says Adam Reiss, Katherine Koretski and David K. Li Under cross-examination, the witness said he never got the feeling that "Jane" was unhappy or was an unwilling participant in Combs' "king night" evenings. Jane even asked him for advice on fashion so she could look her best for Combs, the witness said. Defense lawyer Brian Steel also got Perez to agree with him that these "king nights" were on Combs' personal, non-work time. That kind of distinction could be key for jurors as they weigh whether Combs used his resources to run a criminal enterprise. Share Ye spent a few minutes in an overflow room Adam Reiss and David K. Li Ye caught a few minutes of Perez's testimony in an overflow room on the 23rd floor. He and Combs' son Christian were close to the monitor and Ye removed his glasses, a local reporter said, to follow along with Perez describing his job with Combs. Ye left without speaking to anyone else gathered in the room. Share Combs is engaged with his defense today The defendant appeared to be particularly engaged with his attorneys today. Combs seemed to be paying very close attention to the testimony of a federal agent describing the raid on his home in Los Angeles. Combs even handed his attorney a note while the lawyer was cross-examining the agent. Combs could be fighting some congestion, perhaps an allergy, today as he grabbed tissues and forcefully blew his nose at one point in the morning. Share Witness testifies he found sex tape on iPad Adam Reiss, Katherine Koretski and David K. Li Perez recounted how he found a sex tape — showing "Jane" engaged with another man as Combs watched in the background — on a company iPad. The employee said he immediately brought the issue to Combs and his chief of staff Kristina Khorram. Judge Subramanian declared a recess and asked jurors to return to court before 1:30 p.m. ET. Share Assistant testifies staff had to prepare for a 'king night' Combs' staff would typically get between two and 24 hours to prepare for a "king night," an evening their boss would spend in a hotel with a woman, the witness said. Food, a change of clothes, condoms, lubricants and red lights were among the items commonly packed, Perez said. Ye leaves the courthouse Ye walked out of the front doors of the federal courthouse, got into a car and was driven away. He spent about 40 minutes in the courthouse but never made it into Judge Subramanian's courtroom to show support for the defendant, Combs. Share Former Combs assistant takes the witness stand Jonathan Perez, a former personal assistant to Combs, took the witness stand for prosecutors. The 35-year-old native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, wore a brown suit, black shirt and black tie. Share Oils were a surprising find for agent The agent said he'd never found large amounts of baby oil in his previous human trafficking investigations. Asked if he'd ever walked out of a trafficking raid with boxes of baby oil, LeMon told Combs' defense: "It's only been this one." "That's what I thought," Combs defense lawyer Agnifilo said, perhaps insinuating that the presence of lubricants signals consensual sex acts. Share Prosecutor complains to judge about Combs 'nodding emphatically' +2 Adam Reiss, Daniel Arkin and David K. Li Maurene Comey, one of the prosecutors, complained to Judge Arun Subramanian that Combs was 'nodding emphatically' as his ex-girlfriend 'Jane' and the Homeland Security agent testified. Brian Steel, one of Combs' lawyers, pushed back on that characterization, saying his client has been 'nothing but professional.' Subramanian, who scolded Combs' team last week after the rapper apparently made facial expressions at jurors, told Comey it would be 'impossible to police' everyone in the courtroom but made clear 'we will keep an eye out' for any inappropriate behavior. Large number of guns found at Combs' L.A. home, witness testifies +2 Adam Reiss, Katherine Koretski and David K. Li Combs kept an arsenal of firearms and ammunition — designed to pierce armor — according to the federal agent who led the raid on his L.A. home. Long guns, AR-15-style weapons, Smith & Wesson rifles, a Ruger rifle and a Glock pistol were among the firearms discovered at Combs' Mapleton Drive home, LeMon testified. Agents also found 59 rounds of green tip ammunition, which is manufactured to penetrate body armor, the witness said. Share Hundreds of bottles of lubricants found at Combs' L.A. home, witness testifies +2 Adam Reiss, Katherine Koretski and David K. Li Federal agents found 900 bottles of Astroglide and 200 bottles of baby oil when they raided the defendant's home in Los Angeles last year, LeMon said. The lubricants were frequently used during "hotel nights" and "freak offs," when Combs directed women to have sex with other men as he watched, witnesses have testified at this trial. In a nightstand, agents also found six envelopes marked with "K" on them all, LeMon said. Those envelopes tested positive for ketamine, attorneys stipulated. Share Defense wants to limit or bar testimony about guns The defense told the court that it'll likely object to questions about guns found during raids during Combs' arrest. Combs attorney Marc Agnifilo called firearms a 'divisive issue' that he'd rather not have on the minds of jurors. "I am not seeing how guns in a security room are relevant to any of the charges in this case," Agnifilo said. Share Judge wants to settle juror issue U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian said he wants to settle the government's objections to one of the jurors, though there doesn't appear to be enough evidence yet to remove the panelist. Subramanian revealed the issue could be about where the juror lives. The government, earlier this week, said that panelist should be removed over "lack of candor." "My preference would be to hear from the juror and it is likely we will hear a perfect innocent explanation," Subramanian said, adding that he wants to "quickly resolve this issue" and "put it to bed." Here's what 'Jane' said yesterday Yesterday, "Jane" testified that she felt jealous of other women in Combs' life. She thought it was unfair that they appeared to get more from their relationships with him than she did, despite her folding to the pressure of "hotel nights." Jane reiterated how much Combs pushed her for "hotel nights" even after telling him she didn't want to do it. "All the time," Jane said. The constant need to have sex for Combs' entertainment made Jane 'sore, tired, exhausted and overwhelmed,' she testified. While she witnessed positive changes in Combs after Cassie's lawsuit in November 2023, Jane said she and Combs physically fought at her residence in Los Angeles in 2024. In that incident, she said she pushed Combs' head into a marble countertop when she was angry that he went on a family trip to Turks and Caicos with another woman. She claimed Combs later assaulted her in the hallway. Share 'Jane' was composed on the last day of her marathon time on the stand +3 Adam Reiss, Chloe Melas, Katherine Koretski and David K. Li " Jane" came across as firm and composed on her sixth day of testimony, only fighting back tears near the end of the day. Combs, clad in what appeared to be the same orange sweater and khaki pants he wore the day before, hugged members of his defense team when he walked into the courtroom yesterday morning. During an afternoon break, Combs grabbed tissues and dabbed an eye before leaving the room. Combs' former girlfriend finally off the stand after 6 days of testimony Combs' former girlfriend, identified in court by the pseudonym "Jane," finished her sixth and final day of testimony yesterday. During her time on the stand yesterday, she faced a series of questions about her relationship with Combs, including how it played out after he became the subject of a headline-grabbing criminal investigation in 2024. Jane told jurors she saw positive changes in Combs after Cassie Ventura, his former partner, filed her November 2023 civil lawsuit alleging physical and sexual abuse. Responding to questions from defense lawyer Teny Geragos, Jane agreed that Combs became more apologetic and attentive, less egotistical and cold.