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Sky News
3 days ago
- General
- Sky News
Diddy trial latest: Case resumes with testimony from former assistant 'Mia'
13:48:05 Diddy case pushing boundaries of what court security is available to do, judge says Before we hear from Mia again, Judge Arun Subramanian is in conversation with one of Diddy's attorneys about his ability to speak to Sean Combs. Subramanian tells the court that the Diddy case is pushing the boundaries of what court security and the marshals are available to do. He suggests getting Combs to the court building at 7am (12pm UK time) would give his attorneys substantial time to confer with him. Marc Agnifilo, one of Diddy's attorneys, thanks the marshals service but says they don't allow documents to be shown. "We are restrained if we want to show him exhibits, we can't do it in the facility we have," he says. However, the judge tells Agnifilo that the access he and Combs have had is much greater than defendants in many cases, adding that this is a unique case. 13:34:12 Day 13 of trial under way Today's session is now under way. A reminder, Sean Combs's former personal assistant, who is testifying under the pseudonym "Mia", will continue giving evidence. Take a look back at a summary of the testimony she gave yesterday in our previous post. We'll bring you the latest updates from her evidence. 13:23:01 A recap of what happened in court yesterday It's day 13 of Sean "Diddy" Combs's trial and proceedings are about to start again in a few minutes. Before that, here is a look at what happened yesterday: Combs's former personal assistant, who testified under the pseudonym "Mia", said that the hip-hop mogul sexually assaulted her, threw her into a swimming pool, dumped a bucket of ice on her head and slammed her arm into a door during her eight-year tenure; She said Combs berated her for mistakes, even ones made by other employees, and loaded her up with so many tasks she did not sleep for days; Mia told the court she once woke to find Combs on top of her and that he forced her to have sex against her will. Another time, he forced her to perform oral sex, she alleged; She also said Combs's employees were always on edge because his mood could "change in a split second", causing everything to go from "happy to chaotic"; Mia said she saw Diddy being violent or threatening towards Cassie on several occasions, including at the Cannes Film Festival in 2012, during a party at Prince's house, and on a trip to a private island in Turks and Caicos; She claimed Combs once pressured her into taking ketamine, and described incidents when he allegedly slammed a door on her arm and threw spaghetti at her; The court heard she had never told anyone of the alleged attacks until the government's investigation in this case, and that it was a secret she had expected to take to the grave; Mia's testimony echoed that of prior prosecution witnesses, including several of Combs's other former employees, as well as his former partner Cassie. 13:11:01 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". 13:00:01 We're back with our live coverage Welcome back to our coverage of the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs. The rapper faces five felony charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. He denies all charges. Today will be day 13 of the trial. Yesterday, we heard from Diddy's former stylist Deonte Nash and "Mia", the rapper's second alleged victim after his former partner Cassie. Mia, who is giving evidence under a pseudonym, worked as an assistant to the rapper for several years. She told the court she witnessed Combs being violent towards Cassie. She also spoke about her experiences of allegedly being sexually assaulted by her former boss. The trial will resume at around 1.30pm today UK time with more evidence from Mia. In the meantime, you can catch up with what we heard in court yesterday below... 22:41:35 What you need to know after day 12 of Diddy's trial - scroll down to catch up That's our live coverage finished for the day. Earlier, we heard the end of stylist Deonte Nash's testimony before "Mia", the second alleged victim after Cassie, took the stand. Mia, who is giving evidence under a pseudonym, worked for Sean "Diddy" Combs for several years. She told the court she witnessed Combs being violent towards Cassie on several occasions, before detailing her own experiences with her former boss. If you're just checking in, here is a recap of today's testimony: Mia told the court working for Combs was "chaotic" and toxic, with extreme highs and lows; Calling him "Puff" throughout her testimony, she said during her time working for him he "threw things at me, threw me against the wall, threw me in the pool"; She claimed she had a physical breakdown after being forced to work for five days without sleep and that she wasn't allowed to leave his homes without permission; Mia said she saw Diddy being violent or threatening towards Cassie on several occasions, including at the Cannes Film Festival in 2012, during a party at Prince's house, and on a trip to a private island in Turks and Caicos; She also said Diddy seemed 'heartbroken' over Cassie's brief relationship with fellow rapper Kid Cudi; Mia told the court about setting up and cleaning hotel rooms used by Diddy, saying they could be covered in substances including candle wax, water and even blood; She claimed Combs once pressured her into taking ketamine, and described incidents when he allegedly slammed a door on her arm and threw spaghetti at her; She alleged she was first sexually assaulted by her then boss after working for him for just a few months, and that subsequent alleged attacks made her feel "like trash"; The court heard she had never told anyone of the alleged attacks until the government's investigation in this case. "I thought I was going to die with this," she said... "I thought I would never have to tell anyone because it's the most shameful thing of my life"; Earlier on in the day, stylist Deonte Nash continued his evidence, which started on Wednesday; Under cross-examination he was asked why he did not mention details about alleged abuse of Cassie to investigators, when he had said it in court - but said he only answered the questions he was asked. Court resumes tomorrow at 1.30pm UK time - we'll see you back here then. 21:12:00 Court finishes for the day - and defence says its case may take longer than expected After an hour extra today, the jury has now been dismissed. Marc Agnifilo, one of the defence lawyers for Sean "Diddy" Combs, has an issue to raise with Judge Arun Subramanian. The prosecution earlier this week said its case may take five weeks rather than six - but Agnifilo says now that this doesn't necessarily mean the trial will end sooner than expected. Prosecutors last night sent details of changes to their case, he says, which in turn may impact the defence's case and make it longer. The trial was originally slated to take about eight weeks in total, ending around 4 July. 21:05:59 'The most traumatising thing that's ever happened to me,' alleged victim tells court Mia tells the court she didn't think it was an option to go to police about the alleged sexual assaults by Sean "Diddy" Combs. Asked about an interaction she had with a police officer related to Combs, she tells the court she was pulled over while driving in LA on her way to see him. She says she mentioned his name and the officer didn't believe her at first, but when she showed her her phone they "had a whole conversation" and she let her off without a ticket. She recalls another time driving with Combs when they were pulled over. When officers realised it was him, they let them go, she says. Mia tells the court that the first time she told anyone about the alleged sexual assaults by Combs was when she spoke with government investigators. "I thought I would never have to tell anyone because it's the most shameful thing of my life," she says. Prosecutor Madison Smyser asks why she is speaking out now. "Because I have to tell the truth," she replies. Asked if she wanted to talk about the alleged sexual assaults today, she tells the court: "Absolutely not. It's the most traumatising, worst thing that's ever happened to me." 20:57:18 'I was going to die with this': Mia sobs as she tells court she kept alleged assaults secret Mia tells the court she could not say no to Sean "Diddy" Combs, her former boss. "I couldn't tell him 'no' about a sandwich. I couldn't tell him 'no' about anything," she says. She tells the court she was scared of being fired and never working in the industry again if she made a fuss. "I knew his power. And his control. I didn't want to lose everything that I worked so hard for." Mia says she also feared being attacked and was "always" worried about being physically hurt by Combs. "I didn't want to die or get hurt." She says she felt "desperate", "terrified and trapped", and worried it was her fault somehow. Combs threatened to tell Cassie she had "something to do with it" if she spoke out, she says. Becoming very emotional, Mia whispers and sobs as she says she never told anyone about the alleged sexual assaults at the time. "I was going to die with this," she says. "I didn't want anyone to know ever." She tells the court again that she was worried about being fired or "punished", and about her reputation as well. "I would have lost everything." She also says she thought no one would believe her. 20:46:06 'I always thought this was the last time,' Mia says of alleged sexual assaults by Diddy Alleged victim Mia is continuing telling the court about alleged sexual assaults by Sean "Diddy" Combs, her former boss. She recalls the hip-hop star trying to push her into a bathroom during a flight on a private jet, and says she felt "helpless", despite there being other people on the flight. She says she does not remember what happened in the bathroom, and replies "no" when prosecutor Madison Smyser asks if she ever initiated physical contact with Combs. She says "no" again when asked if she wanted to have sex with him. Mia says there was "no pattern" to the alleged sexual assaults, other than that they would not happen when Cassie was around. She says there was no indication Combs was on drugs during the incidents. "I always thought this was the last time," she said. "Next time I would somehow be more prepared. I had to get right back to work, there was so much going on."
The Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Diddy ‘threatened to post sex tapes online' of ex Cassie at Freak-Offs with other men she ‘didn't want to' be with
SEAN "Diddy" Combs threatened Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura that he would send her "freak-off" videos to her parents to get them fired from their jobs, a stylist and friend of the singer testified. Combs ' trial descended into chaos early after his defense team demanded a mistrial, claiming prosecutorial misconduct over questioning of the destroyed evidence from Kid Cudi's car firebombing. 6 6 6 6 6 6 Marc Agnifilo, Combs' lead attorney, argued the prosecution made an "outrageous" suggestion when they claimed the music executive, 55, could have played a part in the destruction of fingerprint evidence from Cudi's arson investigation. The defense claimed the suggestion was raised to the jury during the prosecution's questioning of arson investigator Lance Jimenez. Jimenez was testifying about his investigation into Cudi's car bombing and said that the fingerprint evidence recovered from the bottle of the Molotov cocktail was destroyed without his knowledge in 2012. Jimenez told the courtroom that the DNA evidence was destroyed on orders from the Los Angeles Police Department, who was not part of his team. After the judge called for a brief 10-minute break and the jury was escorted out of the courtroom, Agnifilo said the remarks "implied that someone in this courtroom was responsible for the destruction of the fingerprint cards." Combs' defense team urged Judge Arun Subramanian to declare a mistrial, citing prosecutorial misconduct. However, the motion was quickly denied. Judge Subramanian agreed to strike the questions and responses about the fingerprint evidence from the record. The judge then instructed the jury to disregard all the information disclosed about the DNA evidence, saying the questions and responses were irrelevant to the case. FREAK-OFF VIDEO THREATS Deonte Nash, Ventura's friend and a celebrity stylist, testified about the repeated threats Combs allegedly made against his then-girlfriend. Nash told the courtroom how during one phone conversation, Combs threatened Ventura that he would release the videos of her participating in "freak-offs" on the internet. When asked what Ventura said about the recorded sexual encounters, Nash said she told him "she didn't want to" have sex with the men. Combs also warned Ventura that he would send a copy to her parents' workplace to get them fired from their jobs, Nash said on the stand. Nash testified how he saw bruises on Ventura's body 'quite often.' The day began with testimony from an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department, who responded to the break in at the property of rapper Kid Cudi, born Scott Mescudi, in December 2011. VICTIM #4 EXPECTED TO TESTIFY THURSDAY The prosecution is expected to call forth Victim #4, who is being identified in court only by the pseudonym "Mia,." Mia is a former employee of Combs, who prosecutors say was coerced into sex with him. During opening statements, prosecutor Emily Johnson described Mia as a former personal assistant whom Combs worked "to the bone for years." Johnson said that at some point, Combs allegedly forced himself on her sexually, coerced her to perform oral sex on him, and even snuck into her bed to have sex with her against her will. On Tuesday, Capricorn Clark, who worked for Combs on and off between 2004 and 2018, testified about her former boss' violent and arduous demands that led her to develop stress-induced alopecia. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges as prosecutors continue to paint him as the ringleader of a criminal enterprise. He has denied all allegations against him and insists he's only engaged in consensual sex. The federal trial is expected to last eight weeks. If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
Newsweek
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
The Legal Dispute Over Whether Diddy Freak-Off Videos Can Be Shown in Court
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Several media outlets are asking the judge in Sean "Diddy" Combs' case to allow the press to view video evidence of "freak-offs," while attorneys in the case have argued in favor of sealing the evidence. Attorneys Robert Balin and Alexandra Perloff-Giles filed the motion on Monday on behalf of ABC News, the Associated Press, CBS News, NBCUniversal News Group, The New York Times Company and other news organizations. Why It Matters Combs is charged federally with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is accused of organizing drug-fueled parties called "freak offs," where escorts and others were allegedly coerced into performing sexual acts. On Tuesday, his former partner Cassie Ventura began her testimony. She said she was repeatedly assaulted during their time together. She also spoke about the freak-offs. She said she was given drugs such as cocaine and ketamine to help facilitate the encounters, with some lasting up to four days. Sean "Diddy" Combs, far left, and attorney Marc Agnifilo, right, sit at the defense table during witness testimony in Manhattan federal court, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in New York. Sean "Diddy" Combs, far left, and attorney Marc Agnifilo, right, sit at the defense table during witness testimony in Manhattan federal court, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in New York. Elizabeth Williams via AP What To Know On April 25, before the trial started, the prosecution said some exhibits will be sealed, including some with sound. Prosecutors said they were "working on a way that the jury and the parties and the Court are able to hear that sound but not the public." "While the News Organizations appreciate that some trial exhibits in this case may be sexually explicit and sensitive for the alleged victims, the public and the press should be permitted to view and consider this evidence (which lies at the heart of the Government's case), consistent with the First Amendment right of access to criminal trials," Balin and Perloff-Giles wrote. Attorneys for the media organizations asked the court to deny any requests to close the courtroom. The organizations are not requesting copies of the video exhibits. Douglas H. Wigdor, an attorney representing Ventura, submitted a letter opposing the media's motion. "It would be profoundly unfair for Ms. Ventura's brave choice to testify publicly and using her own name to require such a gross invasion of her dignity," Wigdor wrote. "This is especially true because she will testify and be cross-examined about the content of the videos in an open courtroom, thereby undermining any argument that the videos themselves are necessary for the News Organizations to report on the substance of this evidence." Wigdor said the unsealing of this evidence could also have a "chilling effect" on potential victims and witnesses, "who would be discouraged from cooperating with law enforcement and participating in the judicial process for fear of severe public humiliation and re-traumatization." The prosecution and defense both argued in favor of sealing the evidence in court on Tuesday. Combs' attorney Marc Agnifilo said the defense does not want to seal anything that is not "sexually explicit," calling it a "privacy issue," Variety reported. "What would The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times do with this information if they had it?" Agnifilo said. What People Are Saying Wigdor, in a court filing: "The News Organizations do not cite any case, and nor are we aware of any authority, granting this unprecedented request in a sex trafficking case to unseal videos depicting coercive sex acts." Balin and Perloff-Giles, in a motion: "The News Organizations recognize that the videos are sensitive and that some or all of the alleged victims or other participants in the Freak Offs may have meaningful privacy interests. But given the central role that the videos may play in the determination of Mr. Combs' guilt or innocence in this case, those privacy interests cannot overcome the public's powerful First Amendment interest in monitoring the judicial process." What Happens Next U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian has yet to rule on the motion filed by the media organizations. Combs' trial is expected to last eight to 10 weeks. He is facing a maximum sentence of life in prison. Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@
The Herald
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald
Ex-girlfriend testifies Sean ‘Diddy' Combs forced her into ‘drug-fuelled sex parties'
'He would bash my head, knock me over, drag me, kick me, stomp me on the head if I was down,' Ventura said. The grey-haired Combs, clad in a grey sweater, often crossed his arms as Ventura testified. Ventura fought back tears when she described 'Freak Offs' in graphic detail. She said she was 22 during her first 'Freak Off', and the only parts she enjoyed were when she and Combs were alone. Often they weren't alone, Ventura testified, with Combs paying male escorts, including one nicknamed 'The Punisher', $1,500 (R27,458) to $6,000 (R110,00) to take part. Ventura said she didn't want to participate when others were involved, but was afraid of making Combs angry. 'His eyes were black,' she said. 'The version I fell in love with was no longer there.' Ventura also said Combs controlled much of her life and career. 'Control was everything, from the way I looked to what I was working on that day, who I was speaking to,' she said. Ventura will resume testifying on Wednesday. Combs has apologised for his conduct in the video. His lead lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, has said the video depicted the aftermath of a dispute over infidelity. Agnifilo said at a hearing last Friday that Ventura had a history of domestic violence, signalling he may use it during cross-examination to undermine her credibility. Ventura filed a civil lawsuit in November 2023 accusing Combs of rape and serial sexual abuse. They settled after one day. Jurors may hear testimony from two or three of Combs' other female accusers, and former employees who prosecutors said helped arrange and cover up Combs' criminal conduct. Ventura married personal trainer Alex Fine in September 2019. They have two daughters, and Ventura is pregnant. Reuters
New York Times
13-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Live Updates: Cassie Plans to Testify at Sean Combs's Sex-Trafficking Trial
At trial, Sean Combs will be represented by a large and varied defense team — one that has grown even larger and more varied in recent days. Since early in the government's investigation, Mr. Combs has retained Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos of the firm Agnifilo Intrater. Mr. Agnifilo is a longtime criminal defense attorney who has represented high-profile figures like the former pharma executive Martin Shkreli; Keith Raniere, the leader of the Nxivm sex cult; and Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the former managing director of the International Monetary Fund, who in 2011 was accused of sexually assaulting a hotel maid in New York. (The case against Mr. Strauss-Kahn was dismissed before a trial.) Along with Karen Friedman Agnifilo, his wife, Mr. Agnifilo is also part of the defense team for Luigi Mangione, who has been charged with murder in the killing of a health care executive. In and out of the courtroom, Mr. Agnifilo has been perhaps the strongest voice in Mr. Combs's defense. At a hearing last month, he reiterated the defense's argument that Mr. Combs's 'freak-offs' — sexual encounters that the government contends were coerced — were consensual, with Mr. Combs's ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura a willing participant. 'Call it 'swingers,' call it whatever you will,' Mr. Agnifilo said. In media interviews, he has called the case an 'unjust prosecution' and said that Mr. Combs is 'an imperfect person but is not a criminal.' Mr. Agnifilo was a longtime lawyer at the firm Brafman & Associates but left last year to help start Agnifilo Intrater. With him, he brought Ms. Geragos, whose father is Mark Geragos, the celebrity lawyer who has represented Mr. Combs in the past. Ms. Geragos has also spoken publicly about the case, including in a series of TikTok videos that she posted before Mr. Combs was arrested in September. The team also includes Alexandra Shapiro, a prominent appellate court lawyer at the firm Shapiro Arato Bach who was once a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, which is prosecuting the Combs case. She graduated from Columbia Law School and was one of the first clerks for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the Supreme Court. She also wrote a novel, 'Presumed Guilty.' Ms. Shapiro is widely recognized for her success rate at trial and on appeals. 'If you want to maximize your chances of either prevailing at trial or on appeal against the S.D.N.Y., then you should call Alexandra Shapiro (if you can afford her),' the legal newsletter Original Jurisdiction wrote last year. Given her specialty, Ms. Shapiro may be keeping a close eye during the trial on any issues that might be useful if the defense appeals a verdict. Mr. Combs's defense also includes Jason Driscoll of Shapiro Arato Bach and Anna Estevao of Harris Trzaskoma. In the last few weeks, Mr. Combs has added several other lawyers. Most prominent is Brian Steel, who defended the rapper Young Thug in a long-running racketeering trial in Georgia. Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, pleaded guilty to participating in criminal street gang activity, and was released with time served. But Mr. Steel — who was recently profiled in The New Yorker — drew wide notice, in legal circles and beyond, for a courtroom showdown where he accused a judge of improperly meeting with a witness. He was held in contempt but later vindicated when the judge was ordered to recuse himself from the case. Mr. Combs's team has also recently added Xavier Donaldson, a New York lawyer whose LinkedIn profile describes him as 'litigator, professor, speaker, crisis manager,' and Nicole Westmoreland, who represented one of Young Thug's co-defendants in his trial. In April, Mr. Combs's legal team asked for a two-month delay of the trial to consider what it said was newly produced evidence by the government. The judge denied the request, noting that Mr. Combs had four law firms working for him, giving him ample resources to prepare. Since then, Mr. Combs has added two more.
