3 days ago
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."
