Judge Arun Subramanian threatened to bar Sean “Diddy” Combs from the courtroom after he “vigorously nodded” at jurors during testimony on Thursday.
“Your client was looking at jurors and nodding vigorously,” Subramanian told Combs’s attorney. “This can't continue or I will give a limiting instruction you won't like, or other measures, including barring your client from the courtroom. Do you understand?”
Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo told the judge that it wouldn’t happen again. The incident followed further testimony from Cassie Ventura’s close friend, Bryana Bongolan, who testified Combs once dangled her over a 17th-floor balcony. The defense accused Bongolan of lying, which she rejected.
A woman named “Jane,” who is testifying under a pseudonym to protect her identity, was called to the stand on Thursday afternoon. Jane was in a relationship with Combs from 2021 to 2024, she said in court. Her testimony could last up to five days.
Combs is facing sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy charges. Combs was arrested in September 2024 as federal authorities alleged he threatened, abused, and coerced victims “to fulfill his sexual desires” between 2004 and 2024. Combs has denied any accusations of wrongdoing.
Key points
- Diddy's ex-girlfriend 'Jane' takes the stand
- Judge threatens to kick Diddy out of court
- Recap: Cassie Ventura's friend and Diddy's ex-girlfriend take the stand
Court adjourned
21:07 , Katie HawkinsonCourt is adjourned for today.
Jane’s testimony will continue tomorrow morning.
Wednesday recap: Diddy 'dangled Cassie Ventura’s friend off 17th-floor balcony'
13:01 , James LiddellSean “Diddy” Combs dangled Cassie Ventura’s longtime friend off a 17th-floor balcony before tossing her into some patio furniture, the mogul’s trial heard.
Bryana Bongolan, a 33-year-old creative marketing director, testified Wednesday afternoon about the September 2016 incident with Diddy that she claims left her with injuries and trauma.
Bongolan told the jury how she and her ex-girlfriend were sleeping on a couch at Ventura’s Los Angeles apartment when they heard Diddy banging on the door in the early hours, waking them both up.
Ventura was in her bedroom, and Bongolan recalled rushing her ex to the bathroom, putting a finger over her mouth, signaling for her to stay quiet. She then went onto Ventura’s balcony to “act casual” and smoke.
Kelly Rissman has the details:
Diddy dangled Cassie Ventura’s friend off 17th-floor apartment balcony, jury told
Combs's ex-girlfriend set to become third alleged victim to take stand
13:09 , James LiddellSean “Diddy” Combs’s ex-girlfriend is set to become the third alleged victim of sex trafficking to testify against the music mogul.
“Jane,” a pseudonym to protect her identity, is a single mother who prosecutors say was abused during the Combs’s marathon sex sessions, known as “freak-offs.” Her testimony could last up to five days.
Jane is expected to take the stand after the defense wraps up its cross-examination of fashion designer Bryana “Bana” Bongolan.
The celebrities mentioned during Diddy’s trial
13:17 , James LiddellThe sex-trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs continues in Manhattan federal court, where jurors heard testimony that mentioned a few A-list stars.
At the start, jurors were given a list of 190 celebrities, spanning beloved Hollywood actors and elite musicians who may be referenced during the trial, including Michael B. Jordan and Kanye West, among others, according to Variety.
Other big names, including Britney Spears and 50 Cent, have also popped up with the trial approaching its halfway mark.
Isabel Keane outlines the celebrities featured in the list, and others who have come up in the trial:
The celebrities mentioned during Diddy’s sex trafficking trial
Forensic video expert took jurors through Cassie hotel assault footage
13:23 , James LiddellFor at least the eighth time since the beginning of the trial, jurors watched the surveillance footage of Sean Combs throwing Cassie Ventura to the ground and hitting her in a Los Angeles hotel almost a decade ago.
Though this time, it was in a compilation form created by Frank Piazza, the forensic video expert.
On Wednesday, Piazza explained to jurors how he used different angles from cameras to cut the video into a longer format to see the event unfold.
He testified that the footage had not been altered.
Defense to wrap cross-examination of fashion designer Bryana Bongolan
13:28 , James LiddellFashion designer Bryana “Bana” Bongolan, a friend of Cassie Ventura, is set to return to the stand this morning after delivering bombshell testimony Wednesday, alleging that she had been left having “night terrors” after Sean Combs held her over a 17-story balcony.
The defense is expected to continue its cross-examination of Bangolan this morning, which is expected to last about half an hour.
In sketches: Day 16 of witness testimony in Diddy's New York trial
14:00 , James Liddell
Hearing to start – and end – later today
14:25 , James LiddellRather than its usual 9 a.m. start, Thursday’s testimony is expected to begin at 11 a.m. Proceedings are due to wrap at about 4 p.m., an hour later than the typical 3 p.m. finish.
Will radio personality Enrique Santos testify today?
14:51 , James LiddellRadio personality Enrique Santos was due to make a very brief appearance at the stand today after the defense finishes its cross-examination of Bryana Bongolan. He was supposed to serve the purpose of setting up testimony for “Jane”: the third (and potentially final) alleged victim of Sean Combs to testify.
However, with the trial running marginally behind schedule, the government said it is uncertain whether he will testify.
Where did yesterday's hearing leave off?
15:19 , James LiddellDefense attorney Nicole Westmoreland did a great job casting doubt around the balcony incident and whether it even happened, pointing out the inconsistencies in Bryana Bongolan’s legal demands, civil complaint, and meetings with the government, wrote reporter Kelly Rissman from the courthouse on Wednesday.
Bongolan, a friend of Cassie Ventura, said “I don’t remember” about a dozen times when asked about what she said previously.
We did, however, see photos of a large bruise on her leg as well as a photo of bandages covering her back and a neck brace from September 2016 — the same time she alleges the incident occurred.
Who is Jane?
15:50 , James LiddellLike Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, “Jane” also dated Sean “Diddy” Combs, prosecutors say.
Also similar to Ventura, the government alleges that Jane was sex-trafficked by the 55-year-old rapper. Unlike Ventura, the witness’s identity is not set to be revealed (Jane is a pseudonym to protect her privacy).
Jane’s testimony is expected to last several days, with jurors due to hear about her involvement in Combs’s alleged drug-dazed marathon sex sessions with male prostitutes, known as “freak-offs.”
The government has described Jane as a single mother who began seeing Combs in 2020 before she agreed to partake in a freak-off to please him. She thought it was a “one-time, wild night,” prosecutor Emily Johnson said in opening statements.
Combs defense attorney Teny Geragos also described their “toxic and dysfunctional” relationship but argued that Jane was not forced nor coerced into the music mogul's sexual fantasies, but “willingly engaged.”
ICYMI: Diddy dangled Cassie Ventura’s friend off 17th-floor apartment balcony, jury told
16:08 , Katie HawkinsonCourt is set to begin shortly.
Catch up Bryana Bongolan’s testimony from yesterday as the defense prepares to continue their cross-examination:
Diddy dangled Cassie Ventura’s friend off 17th-floor apartment balcony, jury told
Court resumes
16:25 , Katie HawkinsonBryana Bongolan, Cassie Ventura’s long-time friend, is back on the stand.
The defense is expected to finish their cross-examination this morning.
Defense shows jury pictures of drugs Bongolan sent to Cassie
16:48 , Katie HawkinsonDefense attorney Nicole Westmoreland showed the court texts and pictures that Bryana Bongolan sent to Cassie Ventura in spring 2016.
Bongolan said the pictures show drugs but she doesn’t recall what kind.
The texts came after Sean “Diddy” Combs allegedly threatened Bongolan at an April 2016 photoshoot.
“I’m the devil and I could kill you,” Combs allegedly said.
Defense continues to question balcony incident
16:52 , Katie HawkinsonDefense attorney Nicole Westmoreland is continuing to question Bryana Bongolan about the September 2016 balcony incident.
Yesterday, Bongolan testified that Sean “Diddy” Combs lifted her over a 17th-floor balcony.
Westmoreland sought to cast doubt on the story yesterday by asking Bongolan about inconsistencies in the statements she made during her meetings with prosecutors and her legal filings.
Westmoreland is continuing that strategy today, suggesting Bongolan has given inconsistent answers about whether Cassie Ventura witnessed the incident.
Bryana Bongolan says her attorney gave false information
17:06 , Katie HawkinsonBryana Bongolan said her attorney made false statements about her experiences with Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Attorney Tyrone Blackburn made multiple “incorrect” claims, Bongolan testified, including that Combs once grabbed Bongolan’s breast so hard he left a bruise.
Bryana Bongolan still saw Diddy after alleged balcony incident
17:14 , Katie HawkinsonBryana Bongolan testified that she “kept her distance” but still saw Sean “Diddy” Combs after he allegedly dangled her over a 17th-floor balcony in 2016.
After the incident, Bongolan said she attended an event at a club Combs rented out and also shared a blunt with the music mogul.
Bryana Bongolan returned to scene of alleged balcony incident
17:31 , Katie HawkinsonBryana Bongolan said she returned to the building where Sean “Diddy” Combs allegedly dangled her off a 17th-floor balcony in 2016.
Bongolan went back after Combs invited her for a night of drinking and smoking, according to text messages shown in court.
Defense questions Bryana Bongolan's timeline of balcony incident
17:47 , Katie HawkinsonDefense attorney Nicole Westmoreland questioned Bryana Bongolan’s timeline of the balcony incident.
Bongolan linked the date of the incident to a photo taken on September 26 showing bruises on her leg. Bongolan said she took the photo just hours after Sean “Diddy” Combs allegedly dangled her off a 17th-floor balcony.
But Westmoreland showed the jury documents indicating a “Frank Black” — an alias Combs often used — stayed at the Trump International Hotel in New York City from September 24 to September 29. He also dined at the hotel on September 25 and 26, according to receipts Westmoreland provided.
Westmoreland asked: “You agree that one person can’t be in two places at the same time?”
“In theory, yeah...I can’t answer that one,” Bongolan responded.
Defense accused Bryana Bongolan of lying
17:48 , Katie HawkinsonDefense attorney Nicole Westmoreland accused Bryana Bongolan of lying moments before she ended her cross-examination.
“You came in here and you lied to the ladies and gentlemen of the jury,” Westmoreland said.
Bongolan said she “can’t agree” with Westmoreland’s statement.
Bryana Bongolan has 'no doubt' Diddy dangled her over balcony
18:03 , Katie HawkinsonProsecutors have begun re-direct questioning of Bryana Bongolan.
Attorney Madison Smyser asked Bongolan why she didn’t remember the exact date of the alleged incident and relied on a photo to recall it.
Bongolan responded: “Because it was a while ago.”
Smyser then asked: “Regardless of the exact date, do you have any doubt that Mr Combs held you up on that balcony on the 17th floor?”
“I have no doubt,” Bongolan replied.
Jury on break
18:06 , Katie HawkinsonJudge Arun Subramanian has dismissed the jury for a brief break.
Court will resume later this afternoon.
Judge threatens to kick Diddy out of court
18:46 , Andrew GeorgesonJudge Subramanian threatened to kick Combs out of court for allegedly “nodding vigorously” at jurors.
Combs nodded and looked at the panel during recent testimony which is "absolutely unacceptable," Subramanian said, according to NBC News.
Subramanian asked defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo if this would happen again.
"No your honor, it's not going to happen again," Agnifilo replied.
Full story: Judge lashes out at Diddy and threatens to boot him from the courtroom for ‘nodding vigorously’ at jury
19:02 , Katie HawkinsonJudge Arun Subramanian threatened to remove Sean “Diddy” Combs from the courtroom for “nodding vigorously” at jurors during his sex trafficking trial.
Read the full story from The Independent’s Rhian Lubin:
Judge threatens to boot Diddy from court for interacting with jury
Tech analyst takes the stand
19:05 , Katie HawkinsonEnrique Santos, an investigative analyst with the U.S. Attorney's Office, is now on the stand.
Prosecution reveals text messages about balcony incident
19:11 , Katie HawkinsonProsecutors showed the jury a picture of text messages from Cassie Ventura to Sean “Diddy” Combs’s chief of staff about the alleged balcony incident. The screenshot was taken on September 30, 2016, according to metadata.
Bryana Bongolan testified yesterday that Combs dangled her over a 17th-floor balcony on or around September 26.
“He came into my house while my friends were here and we were all sleeping and they woke me up because he was ringing the bell crazy at 3 a m. and when he came in I went to my room and he went at Bona choked her and then dangled her feet off the balcony,” Ventura’s text reads, according to CNN.
Earlier today, Combs’s attorney claimed Bongolan lied after she testified about the incident.
Who is Enrique Santos?
19:16 , Katie HawkinsonEnrique Santos is an investigative analyst with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Santos said he has worked for the office for 17 years and extracted data from more than 3,000 cell phones.
He’s testifying today about data extracted from Cassie Ventura’s phones.
Diddy's ex-girlfriend 'Jane' takes the stand
19:29A woman testifying under the pseudonym “Jane” has taken the stand.
Jane said she was in a relationship with Sean “Diddy” Combs from 2021 to 2024.
Jane met Diddy on Florida trip in 2020
19:46 , Katie Hawkinson“Jane” testified that she met Sean “Diddy” Combs on a girls’ trip in Miami, Florida in 2020.
There, she exchanged phone numbers with Combs. The music mogul hosted a pool party for Jane and her friends on their last day, she testified. There, Jane says he asked her out.
“I remember he was flirtatious, he was inviting me to Miami,” she testified.
Jane describes first date with Diddy
19:53 , Katie HawkinsonJane described her first date with Sean “Diddy” Combs as “amazing” and called the music mogul “larger than life.”
Jane met him on a November 2020 Miami trip. She saw him again for their first date in January 2021, she testified.
Jane says she was “head over heels” for Combs.
Diddy sent Jane $10,000 on Turks and Caicos trip, she testifies
19:56 , Katie HawkinsonJane says Sean “Diddy” Combs went on a trip with her to Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas in early 2021.
There, they did MDMA ten times throughout the nine-day vacation, she said. Combs also wired her $10,000 at the end because she spent so much time away from her job as an influencer, Jane testified.
Jane says she was 'really deep' in feelings for Diddy
20:03 , Katie HawkinsonJane says she was “really deep in it” as she started dating Sean “Diddy” Combs in 2021.
Combs bought her a bracelet that said “love” and they started saying “the L-word,” she testified.
Combs told her he was also seeing other women, Jane said.
“I liked him, and so I was OK with it,” she testified.
Jane describes bad reaction to ecstasy with Diddy
20:11Jane said she had a bad reaction to an ecstasy pill Sean “Diddy” Combs gave her on their 2021 Turks and Caicos trip.
“I was walking down the beach with him and it just hit me and I fell to the sand,” Jane testified. “My body was just convulsing and I was screaming, I said help me.”
Jane testifies Combs asked her to have sex with another man
20:23 , Katie HawkinsonSean “Diddy” Combs asked Jane to have sex with another man while he watched, she testified today.
Combs asked for the first time in May 2021, she said.
"He said we can make it happen tonight and I said, 'tonight?' I was taken aback but I said okay,” she testified.
"We went to a hotel a couple of hours later, I saw assistants setting up the room, getting his room ready, there was a bustle of getting this room ready,” she added.
This echoes Cassie Ventura’s earlier description of “freak offs,” which she said involved her having sex with other men at Combs’s direction. Ventura said these encounters often happened in hotel rooms.
Jane says Diddy opened 'Pandora's box' when he asked her to have sex with other men
20:31 , Katie HawkinsonJane testified that Sean “Diddy” Combs opened a “Pandora’s box” in their relationship when he first asked her to have sex with another man while he watched.
“I truly felt that that night just opened like a Pandora’s box in the relationship,” Jane said. “It just completely set the tone for our relationship moving forward.”
Jane say she felt 'obligated' to 'perform' for Diddy
20:39 , Katie HawkinsonJane testified she felt obligated to have sex with other men at Sean “Diddy” Combs’s request because he was paying her rent.
Combs would tell her it was “fine” if she wanted to break up, but that he doesn’t pay rent for women he’s not dating.
Jane said she felt obligated to “perform these nights for him.”
Jane says she was 'really consumed' by Diddy and her income suffered
20:54 , Katie HawkinsonJane says she was “really consumed” by Sean “Diddy” Combs when they were together.
Jane made her money by being an influencer. But her presence on social media “really declined after I prioritized this relationship,” she testified.
Combs would sometimes give her money, Jane said. The largest amount she received at one time was $20,000, she added.
Recap: Diddy's ex-girlfriend takes the stand
21:24 , Kelly Rissman, Katie HawkinsonToday began with continued testimony from Bryana Bongolan, a close friend to Cassie Ventura.
Yesterday, Bongolan testified that Sean “Diddy” Combs dangled her off a 17th-floor balcony. Defense attorney Nicole Westmoreland used her cross-examination to poke holes in Bongolan’s story, and at one point directly accused her of lying to the jury. Bongolan said she disagreed with Westmoreland’s characterization.
Then Enrique Santos, an investigative analyst who searched Ventura’s phone, briefly testified afterward.
The rest of the day focused on “Jane,” a woman who dated Combs from 2021 to 2024. She is testifying under a pseudonym.
Jane described the start of their relationship as “wonderful.” But she soon started tearing up when the prosecutor asked what changed in May 2021, just months into their relationship.
Jane said Combs asked her to start having sex with other men as he watched. Her description echoed Ventura’s previous testimony that Combs would ask her to do “freak offs,” which involved her having sex with other men at his direction.
Jane said she felt “obligated” to “perform” for Combs because he was paying her rent.
Court will resume Friday morning. Jane’s testimony is expected to last for five days.
