3 days ago
Diddy trial latest: Ex-girlfriend 'Jane' to face cross-examination after telling court of mysterious blackmail call
Warning: The updates below contain graphic details of alleged sex trafficking. An anonymous former girlfriend and alleged victim of Sean "Diddy" Combs - known only as Jane - will be cross-examined on day 20 of his trial on Tuesday.
14:14:01
Motion to recall traumatic stress expert denied
A motion to recall Dr Hughes, a psychologist who spoke earlier in the trial, speaking about "trauma bonds" between an abuser and their victim, has been denied.
A forensic psychologist, her professional specialties include interpersonal violence, traumatic stress and anxiety disorders, and she has been an expert witness in other high-profile sexual misconduct trials including R Kelly's federal trial, and the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation trial.
Judge Arun Subramanian says permitting the government to recall Dr Hughes – who gave evidence in week three of the trial after Cassie's time on the stand - would suggest her testimony was more relevant than others, and so he is not allowing it.
14:03:06
How does Diddy look today?
Much has been made of Diddy's changed appearance after nine months in jail, with greying hair and a much-slimmed down physique.
Diddy has been given special permission to wear civilian clothes rather than his prison issue tan jumpsuit. Today he's wearing a light coloured long-sleeve shirt and trousers. He's also wearing glasses.
He's busy organising papers at the defence table and moving a box of tissues around.
13:55:05
Judge denies motion for a mistrial
Before testimony resumes, the judge tells the court that the motion for a mistrial has been denied.
Over the weekend, the defence called for a mistrial, arguing that Cassie Ventura and Bryana Bongolan lied about Bongolan being "dangled" over a 17th floor balcony by Diddy in September 2016. The defence say the government should have known this was not possible, and say Diddy was away on the East Coast at the time of the alleged incident.
Judge Arun Subramanian says the defence was able to attack Bongolon's testimony during their vigorous cross-examination, as well as having full access to Diddy's travel records, and he doesn't believe any prejudice has been caused.
13:55:01
A reminder of the charges
While we wait for court to start again today, here's a reminder of the five felony charges faced by Sean "Diddy" Combs:
Racketeering conspiracy;
Two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion;
Two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
The rapper was initially charged with three offences - racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Two extra counts - one each of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution - were added earlier in April.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
What the charges mean
Racketeering broadly means engaging in an illegal scheme or enterprise, and the charge falls under the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act (RICO) in the US.
According to the US justice department's definition of RICO statute, it is also illegal to "conspire to violate" the laws.
The prosecution alleges that between 2008 and 2024, Combs "led a racketeering conspiracy that engaged in sex trafficking, forced labour, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice, among other crimes".
13:45:01
Welcome back to our live coverage of the Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial
We're back with updates from the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs in New York.
Today, we're expecting the witness known as "Jane" to be back on the stand. This time, she will be cross-examined by Diddy's defence team.
Scroll down to catch up with her evidence yesterday.
23:18:47
What you need to know after day 19 of Diddy's trial - scroll down to catch up
An anonymous former girlfriend and alleged victim of Sean "Diddy" Combs, testifying under the pseudonym 'Jane', continued her evidence against the rapper on the 19th day of his sex-trafficking trial.
It was her third day of evidence.
If you're just checking in, here's a round-up of all the key updates:
Jane began her evidence by telling jurors she began to feel frustrated by Diddy's behaviour, feeling that he used her only for sex, leaving her feeling disgusted with herself;
She says she began to feel "obligated" to perform in Diddy's "hotel nights" in order "to put a roof over my head," as the rapper was – and still is – paying her rent;
Jane described having sex with a "cowboy wearing heels" at the Trump International hotel in New York;
She texted Diddy, flagging the damage the sex sessions were causing her, writing "I am not an animal";
Recalling a sobriety party in Beverly Hills, she said she went to the bathroom after having sex with three men and throwing up, saying she felt "absolutely terrible" by the end of the evening;
Telling Diddy "don't call me, don't text me, I'm dead to you" after the party, she says Diddy told her "you went too far baby girl," and insinuated he would no longer pay her rent;
Explaining how she felt when she watched several of the sex videos back with lawyers, she said she saw herself, "following a pattern" and performing "the same show over and over again" to please Diddy;
When asked by defence lawyer Maurene Comey if she was consenting, she says, "I'm still trying to figure that out";
Jane said she fainted when she heard of Cassie's lawsuit, filed in November 2023. The lawsuit was settled within a day for $20m;
At one point, when on a break from Diddy, Jane says she considered ending her own life;
Following the release of CCTV video showing Diddy assaulting Cassie at the InterContinental hotel in 2016, Jane says Diddy told her it was the "only" time he was violent with Cassie, who he described as "a hitter";
In 2024, Jane says she received a call from a man demanding $10,000 and threatening to post a video of her during a "hotel night" on the dark web;
She also described a big fight between her and Diddy after an altercation over one of his other girlfriends, leaving her with 'two golf ball size welts' on her forehead;
Completing her evidence, she said she was "praying" for Diddy's "continued healing" and "peace";
Jane will be cross-examined by the defence tomorrow - when we'll be back liveblogging the trial;
22:24:57
Court finishes for the day
It's just after 5pm in New York, and that's all we're going to hear from Jane today.
She will return on tomorrow when the defence will get their chance to cross-examine her.
We'll be back with a recap of today's hearing soon - in the meantime scroll through our posts to catch up on what was said in court.
22:21:25
Jane says she's 'praying' for Diddy's 'continued healing' and 'peace'
Jane, who says her lawyer is paid for by Diddy as well as her rent, says she was subpoenaed by the US Attorney to speak at the trial.
She says she spoke to Diddy's defence attorneys in April, adding that she is speaking out now to "honour myself".
Asked how she feels about Diddy today, Jane says: "I pray for his continued healing and pray for peace for him ".
With that the jury is dismissed, and court is adjourned for the day.
22:16:37
Jane describes Diddy throwing water at her after 24-hour party session
Jane describes how she and Diddy made up following the fight, later seeing him at his mansion in Mapleton Drive, and again in Miami after learning his mother had been taken into hospital.
She says Diddy booked them a hotel room, and they "partied and had sex" all night, but became angry when after 24 hours she began to feel tired.
She says Diddy's "whole demeanour changed," saying he became "agitated and upset" taking it "like a rejection".
She said he told her "I spent all this money on you and now you're tired," before throwing water at her and calling her a bitch. She describes apologising, and taking an ecstasy pill, which she said made Diddy "completely happy and celebratory".
Jane says she then suggested contacting a male escort they had previously employed called Paul, because she wanted to "make Sean happy".
Paul came from New York to Miami to see them a day and a half later, and Jane says after spraying liquid molly into her mouth [a liquid form of ecstasy] she felt "an intense high sexual energy" having sex with Paul in front of Diddy, calling it "an all-time high" and "just intense".
Jane says the last time she saw Diddy was in August, and he was arrested the following month.
