What to know about the sex trafficking trial

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• 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 another former girlfriend of Combs, Cassie Ventura, described on the stand as “freak offs.”

Court is now in session

Court is now in session, marking Day 20 of Combs’ trial.

Defense’s motion for mistrial denied

The defense’s motion for a mistrial has been denied.

That request for a mistrial centered on the testimony of Bryana Bongolan, a friend of Cassie Ventura, who testified that Combs dangled her over a 17th-story apartment balcony in Los Angeles in 2016.

The defense claimed Bongolan and Ventura lied about the balcony incident, alleging that the testimony was perjured. The defense said that Combs was on the East Coast at the time of the alleged incident, staying at the Trump Hotel in New York.

While the defense was able to attack Bongolan’s testimony, the judge ruled that this was not fodder for a mistrial. The judge said the defense did not object to her testimony, and they were allowed a vigorous cross-examination.

Judge Arun Subramanian said “the government screwed up,” but that wasn’t grounds for a mistrial. He noted Combs’ defense attorney, Nicole Westmoreland, “had a real Perry Mason moment,” meaning a dramatic revelation in a courtroom.

Ventura mentioned the balcony incident, without naming Bongolan, in her 2023 lawsuit against Combs. She also testified about it while on the witness stand last month.

‘Jane’ takes the witness stand for cross-examination

Key government witness “Jane” took the witness stand for cross-examination.

Combs’ attorney, Teny Geragos, is set to lead the defense’s questioning of Jane, who is wearing a brown suit blazer.

Combs is wearing a light colored long-sleeve shirt with black pants.

‘Jane’ did not want anything to do with HSI agents last March, she says

Defense attorney Teny Geragos pushed “Jane” on her lack of interest in cooperating with the government when agents first raided Combs’ residences in March last year.

Jane testified under cross-examination that when Homeland Security Investigation agents arrived at her home, she wanted nothing to do with them. She had a choice to speak to them, and she chose to get an attorney, paid for by Combs, she told the court.

After Combs’ arrest, Jane confirmed she met with a grand jury after the government granted her immunity.

‘Jane’ is still in love with Combs

Asked if she loves Combs currently, “Jane” told the court that she does.

Under cross-examination, Jane confirmed that she wanted to be close to her partner. Jane testified that she liked to take care of him after hotel nights and called out “Dateline” as one of his favorite shows.

Jane told the court that she felt as if her partner was trusting her in a vulnerable moment. She was made to believe it was special and didn’t want to judge him.

‘Jane’ says she broke her own boundaries to make Combs feel loved

Combs’ offers of love and affection were the only reason “Jane” said she would enjoy “hotel nights,” which is the phrase she’s used for the nights Combs would watch her with sex workers.

She told the court that she felt trusted by Combs in those vulnerable moments, saying she “was breaking all of my own boundaries” to make him feel loved even as it became hard for her.

Jane said she wanted Combs to be satisfied.

For ‘Jane’, breaking up was hard to do

The witness said she fell in love with Combs but didn’t understand what conditions would come with that relationship.

“He introduced me to this lifestyle, under a lot of emotional pressure,” “Jane” said. “I was so hooked from the beginning on the love and affection, I fell in love with him, and I didn’t understand the terms of the relationship.”

She came to understand that having “freak off” sex with strange men might have been part of the deal.

“It was along the lines of love and pressure to do these things he desired and wanted to fulfill my duties as a girlfriend,” she added.

Combs’ larger-than-life personality helped ‘Jane’ feel more confident

“Jane” told the court that Combs had a big personality and was very sure of himself, which she felt was unique.

Jane described why she felt Combs was larger than life. She said Combs offered highly motivational speeches to encourage her, which helped her feel more confident.

Jane testified that she used to be shy and still struggles with self-esteem issues.

Witness describes the spiritual side of Combs

“Jane” said Combs introduced her to gospel music and had “insightful conversations” on his spirituality.

The chats brought a “really good perspective on a lot of things,” the witness said.

“He had a favorite pastor, and he would put sermons on TV, and we would watch it together, and he would send me sermons, and I would watch it on my own,” Jane said.  

Defense pushes ‘Jane’ on financial support from Combs

Under cross-examination, “Jane” testified to how much Combs spent supporting her financially, agreeing that Combs wired her around $150,000 during their relationship.

Combs’ attorney, Teny Geragos, asked Jane whether she gravitated toward providers. Jane responded that she ideally wants someone who is a partner and provider. Prior to meeting Combs, Jane said she was making about $50,000 as an influencer in addition to receiving child support.

Combs gave ‘Jane’ nickname ‘Crack Pipe’

Combs said he enjoyed being with “Jane” and gave her an edgy nickname to go with those good times.

According to a text message shown in court, they had just returned from the Turks and Caicos Islands in 2023 when Combs reflected on their fun trip.

“Get your rest, you are the crack pipe, that’s my name for you, ‘Crack Pipe,’ I’m going to call you ‘Crack Pipe,’ a very good time together,” he said in a 2023 voice mail played in court.

Combs would use paying rent as a tool, ‘Jane’ says

“Jane” testified that there were times when Combs used paying her rent as a tool, saying it was something of a reminder.

She recalled one argument when she was depressed over “hotel nights” and hit a wall when she was on a phone call with Combs. She testified that Combs asked about her needing three months’ rent.

Jane told the court that it didn’t feel genuine, and they exchanged nasty text messages, one of which included her saying that she’s not either of his exes. Combs’ attorney asked whether Combs sent Jane $20,000 unsolicited, which Jane confirmed.

‘Jane’ says she was initially OK being polyamorous with Combs but things grew difficult

“Jane” told the court that she was aware Combs was polyamorous and seeing multiple women, and that at first it wasn’t something that she minded.

But as emotions grew deeper, she testified, the imbalance became difficult to handle. Jane said the relationship looked monogamous even if it wasn’t in reality, which she was not OK with.

She agreed that it hurt her feelings that he was easily able to shift to another woman. Jane used colorful language when referring to another woman he was dating, she said.

‘Jane’ said she was concerned about Combs’ drug use

Combs’ heavy use of drugs and alcohol worried “Jane,” who said that during a trip to Turks and Caicos, she felt like the music mogul had jaundice, graying gums and shaking hands.

Jane said she wanted Combs to go to a rehab clinic in Thailand.

When Combs’ defense attorney, Teny Geragos, asked Jane if she believed Combs was an addict, the witness said: “I felt he was overdoing the partying.”

Combs was driven by desire and ‘Jane’ by love, defense presents

Defense attorney Teny Geragos asked “Jane” whether Combs was driven by his desires, and her love for Combs drove her during hotel nights.

“Yes,” Jane responded.

Jane testified that she told Combs multiple times that she didn’t feel comfortable engaging in “hotel nights” as time passed. She also testified under cross-examination that she loved the attention and affection Combs would give her during those nights.

‘Jane’ was curious about Combs’ need to see her with another man

“Jane” testified that she came to understand that Combs’ desire to see her having intercourse with another man was an exercise of sexual curiosity.

“I was trying to figure out the relationship and I came upon the word, cuckold, a man turned on by watching his woman having sex with another man,” Jane told the court. “I just wanted to know what was driving him.”

Jane said she believed it could’ve been an interest in bisexuality, but Combs might’ve been “too scared to do the act” himself, making these “freak offs” the next closest alternative.

Ecstasy helped her sex life with Combs, ‘Jane’ testified

“Jane” testified that ecstasy greatly helped her and Combs focus on “sexual energy.”

“He was just happy, charismatic, good energy, a sexual high,” she said. “Before ecstasy, he was agitated and stressed from the day. After, he would be happy and in a good mood.”

Fridays were a good day for Combs to blow off steam, ‘Jane’ testifies

Combs called his end-of-week partying a “F— it Friday” celebration, “Jane” said.

“It’s when he’d let loose and want to party really hard,” she said.

‘Jane’ spoke with Combs’ chief of staff while transporting drugs, she says

“Jane” testified that Combs’ chief of staff, Kristina Khorram, spoke to her on the phone on at least one occasion when Jane transported drugs for Combs.

Text message exchanges were shared between Khorram and Jane, where the women were coordinating travel arrangements. Jane also said the two spoke on the phone, which was not their standard method of communication.

Jane also testified that communication with Khorram was a point of contention for her while she dated Combs. 

Khorram, or “KK,” was always with Combs, and it became a difficult part of Jane’s relationship with Combs, she said. Jane told the court Khorram had strong feelings about Jane that would influence how Combs treated her. 

‘Jane’ invoked the names of basketball greats to talk about her sex life with Combs, she testified

“Jane” testified that she invoked the names of two all-time basketball greats to describe her sex life with Combs and someone named Paul.

The three of them were the “trifecta,” Jane said, with a nod to Hall of Fame hoopsters.

“I was Kobe Bryant and Paul was Shaq (Shaquille O’Neal),” Jane said. “Combs was Michael Jordan.”

Cross-examination goes over explicit messages between Combs and ‘Jane’

The defense is going over text messages and voice notes that “Jane” sent to Combs, where she engaged in “fantasy talk” that appeared to show her willingness for sexually explicit activities.

Some of the messages include Jane describing what she would like to do to specific sex workers who were hired for “hotel nights” or discussing the planning of “hotel nights.”

Jane testified that she gave Combs options on things he wanted to hear. She told the court that these were things that wouldn’t have occurred to her to do, but she knew Combs would like to do them.

‘Jane’ and lawyer exchange heated words over handbags

“Jane” and defense lawyer Teny Geragos exchanged some pointed words about handbags and sex during cross-examination.

Geragos insinuated that the witness was consensually having sex with other men and gladly accepting designer bags.

“No, I got trauma,” Jane responded after Geragos questioned if she didn’t get anything.

The defense lawyer also asked the witness if she knew what a Bottega bag was, and Jane responded: “I’m sure you have one.”

Geragos also asked how much a Bottega bag costs, to which Jane responded, “How much does my body cost?”

Jane asked for a break shortly after the exchange.

Jury dismissed for the day; court will start late tomorrow

 

S: NBC News