The woman who alleges Sean “Diddy” Combs dangled her over a 17th-story balcony took the witness stand on Wednesday to testify about the abuse she witnessed and experienced while around the music mogul.
Fashion designer Bryana “Bana” Bongolan, a friend of Cassie Ventura, tearfully told jurors that she’s been traumatized by the violence, even having “night terrors.”
Bongolan recounted that in 2016, the music mogul stormed into Ventura’s apartment, picked her up, and dangled her over the balcony on the 17th floor while shouting at her. Bongolan said Combs eventually threw her onto the balcony furniture, leaving her with bruises and a neck injury.
She also recalled witnessing Ventura and Combs throw a knife at each other in the middle of the night once.
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
- Recap of today’s proceedings
- On the stand, Bongolan recounts the balcony incident
- Forensic video expert takes jurors through surveillance footage
- Friend of Cassie says she had 'night terrors' after Combs hung her over a balcony
- In one instance, Cassie and Combs threw a knife at each other, according to testimony
Recap of today’s proceedings
21:22 , Ariana BaioJurors heard from two witnesses on Wednesday, the most memorable being Bryana Bongolan, a friend of Cassie Ventura, who claims to have experienced Sean Combs’ abuse firsthand, notably in an incident where he dangled her over a 17-story balcony.
Bongolan testified that she and Ventura hung out and used drugs frequently while Ventura was dating Combs.
She told prosecutors she saw bruises on Ventura and knew she and Combs had a “volatile” relationship – something that made her apprehensive to meet Combs.
In one incident, Bongolan saw Combs throw a knife at Ventura and Ventura throw it back.
Bongolan said she was left traumatized after Combs marched onto the balcony of Ventura’s apartment, picked Bongolan up, and dangled her above the railing, 17 stories high, while screaming at her. Combs threw Bongolan onto balcony furniture, leaving her with bruises and a neck injury.
Defense attorneys tried to poke holes in Bongolan’s testimony during cross-examination, grilling her about details that she could not recall.
This morning, jurors also heard from Frank Piazza, a forensic video expert, who testified that the surveillance and cell phone footage of Combs beating Ventura at the InterContinental Hotel was accurate
Here's what happened yesterday
11:26 , James LiddellEddy Garcia, a security guard at the Los Angeles hotel where Sean “Diddy” Combs was captured in security footage in March 2016 attacking his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, testified Tuesday.
Garcia testified that his boss sold footage of the attack to Combs for $50,000. Garcia said his boss then tasked him with delivering the footage to Combs. After confirming it was the only copy of the video, Garcia said Combs handed him $100,000 in a paper bag and asked him to sign an NDA with a $1 million penalty.
Derek Ferguson, an ex-executive at Combs Enterprises and Bad Boy Entertainment, also took the stand. Ferguson served as the chief financial officer for Bad Boy Entertainment and worked for Combs from 1996 to 2017.
As he testified, prosecutors showed the jury Combs’s December 2011 bank statements, which corroborated previous testimony from Cassie’s mother who, earlier in the trial, claimed the music mogul demanded $20,000 from Cassie or else he’d release explicit footage of her.
Recap: Diddy accused of paying $100k bribe to security guard after Cassie hotel attack
11:29Sean “Diddy” Combs handed a hotel security guard $100,000 to keep surveillance footage showing the music mogul’s attack on Cassie Ventura a secret, his trial heard.
The shocking 2016 video of Diddy kicking his then-girlfriend in the hallway of the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles was shown to jurors again on Tuesday.
Security guard Eddy Garcia told the court how the music mogul offered him a stack of cash in a brown paper bag to ensure the footage never got out.
Kelly Rissman has the details:
Diddy paid hotel security $100,000 to keep video of attack secret, guard says
Diddy supporter dragged out of courtroom by cops
11:35 , James LiddellA supporter of Sean “Diddy” Combs was dragged out of a New York courtroom by cops Tuesday after making a profanity-laden outburst.
A woman in the court’s gallery yelled, “Diddy, these motherf***** laughing at you” and “it's not right what they’re doing to him!” according to reports by CNN and NBC News.
The judge overseeing the case, U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian, told court officers to “escort her out right now!” Combs turned around after Subramanian ordered her removal.
Rachel Dobkin and Kelly Rissman have the story fromNew York:
Diddy supporter dragged out of courtroom by cops after profanity-laden outburst
Woman who sued Combs after he 'dangled her out of 17th-story balcony' set to testify
11:39 , James LiddellFashion designer Bryana “Bana” Bongolan, who says that Sean “Diddy” Combs dangled her over a 17th-story balcony is set to take the witness stand on Wednesday.
Bongolan filed a lawsuit against Combs in December alleging that the media mogul assaulted her and dangled her over a 17th-story balcony at the Los Angeles apartment of his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. Combs denies the allegations.
Alleged sex-trafficking 'Jane' could testify this afternoon
11:51A third and final alleged victim of Sean “Diddy” Combs could testify as early as Wednesday afternoon, prosecutors say.
Jane, who is testifying under a pseudonym, is another alleged sex-trafficking victim who used to be in a romantic relationship with Combs.
Prosecutors said her testimony could last up to five days, while the defense wants time to ask Combs about a raft of evidence, which includes nude images and sensitive communication that Combs cannot look at without an attorney present.
Forensic video expert expected to be first at witness stand
12:12 , James LiddellForensic video expert Frank Piazza is expected to be the first witness on day 16 of testimony in Sean Combs’s sex-trafficking and racketeering conspiracy trial.
His testimony is expected to focus on the 2016 surveillance footage of Combs assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel.
In sketches: Security supervisor and Bad Boy CFO testified yesterday
12:40 , James Liddell
Who are the 12 jurors set to decide Diddy's fate?
13:10 , James LiddellAs Sean “Diddy” Combs’s federal criminal trial fast approaches its halfway point, here’s a reminder of who the 12 jurors are, set to decide the music mogul’s fate.
Eight men and four women comprise the dozen New Yorkers selected to sit for the trial, which is expected to last eight weeks.
They range in age between 30 to 74 and live across Manhattan, the Bronx and neighboring Westchester County. The jurors hail from a broad variety of professions which include an investment analyst, a massage therapist and a physician assistant.
Several of the younger jurors said they listen to hip-hop and R&B music, genres aligned with Combs. Some of the jurors have said they were familiar with the 2016 surveillance footage of Combs assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel.
Jane’s video feed should be switched off, government says
13:34 , James LiddellLike with the prosecution’s second alleged Victim, “Mia,” the government wants the courtroom video feed switched off while “Jane” is on the stand.
The request was made over fears the feed would display exhibits that include the real name of the alleged victim, who is testifying under a pseudonym, and that of her son. Because of the sheer volume of documents, prosecutors say they did not have time to redact those names.
Closed-circuit video of Jane’s testimony will likely be shown in the overflow room for the public and the press room, according to the Washington Post.
Jane could take the stand as soon as Wednesday afternoon, or possibly Thursday. Her testimony could last up to five days, prosecutors said.
From court: Radio personality Enrique Santon could take stand
13:45 , Kelly RissmanToday, we’re expected to go through witnesses fairly quickly. Radio personality Enrique Santos is expected to be very brief at the stand, and just serves the purpose of setting up testimony for “Jane,” Combs’s ex-girlfriend and alleged victim.
If the other witnesses take longer than expected to deliver testimony, there is a chance he is skipped altogether.
Combs and defense allowed to confer in court for hours after yesterday’s hearing
13:57 , James LiddellJudge Arun Subramanian allowed Sean Combs and his defense to use the courtroom after Tuesday’s hearing until 6 p.m.
Under the supervision of U.S. Marshals, Combs and his lead attorney Marc Agnifilo used the courtroom for several hours after the court adjourned for the day.
It came after Agnifilo complained that the Brooklyn jail housing Combs is not fit for trial preparation. He argued it violates Combs’s constitutional right to a quick and fair trial.
Agnifilo plea came ahead of the prosecution’s third witness, known by the alias “Jane,” is expected to take the stand for several days, with a raft
Witness Bryana Bongolan will testify under immunity order
14:16 , Ariana BaioBryana Bongolan, a friend of Cassie Ventura, is expected to testify in Combs’ trial under an immunity order, prosecutors confirmed on Wednesday morning.
Bongolan filed a lawsuit against Combs last year, alleging that Combs dangled her over the balcony of a 17-story-high apartment building one time.
Frank Piazza, forensic video expert, on the stand
14:32 , Ariana BaioFrank Piazza, a forensic video expert, has taken the stand to testify.
Piazza works at Legal Audio and Video.
Forensic video expert says footage of Combs hitting Ventura is not altered
14:58 , Ariana BaioPiazza testified on Wednesday that the surveillance footage of Combs throwing Ventura to the ground and kicking her at the InterContinental Hotel is not altered.
He testified that while the video had an “issue” with its frame rate being played faster than they thought, the video was not manually altered.
Forensic video expert takes jurors through surveillance footage
15:19 , Ariana BaioFor, at least, the eighth time since the start of the trial, jurors are watching the surveillance footage of Combs throwing Ventura to the ground and hitting her – this time in a compilation form created by Frank Piazza, the forensic video expert.
Piazza explained to jurors how he used different angles from cameras to cut the video into a longer format to see the event unfold.
The infamous video shows Combs throwing Ventura to the ground at the InterContinental Hotel and then kicking her. At one point, Combs throws a vase at Ventura.
Ventura previously testified that this incident occurred during a freak off.
Defense begins cross-examination of forensic video expert
15:58 , Ariana BaioTeny Geragos, one of Combs’ defense attorneys, has begun the cross-examination of Frank Piazza, a forensic video expert.
Geragos is questioning where Piazza obtained the surveillance footage from and its quality.
Defense attorney questions time stamps in surveillance footage
16:27 , Ariana BaioCombs’ lawyer is questioning the forensic video expert about the integrity of the 2016 InterContinental footage that shows Combs throwing Ventura to the ground and kicking her.
Geragos is asking Piazza to explain why the time stamps in the footage jump as if the video was “cut.”
Piazza explains that the time stamp change is triggered by motion. The motion-activated cameras only update when they detect motion.
Forensic video expert off the stand
16:49 , Ariana BaioFrank Piazza, the forensic video expert, testified that the surveillance footage depicted the incident accurately under redirect before leaving the stand on Wednesday.
Next witness: Bryana Bongolan
16:54 , Ariana BaioBryana Bongolan, a friend of Ventura’s, has taken the stand as the next witness for the government.
Bongolan previously alleged that Combs hung her over a 17-story balcony.
She has signed an immunity deal to testify.
Bongolan says she had 'night terrors' after Combs hung her over a balcony
16:59 , Ariana BaioOn the stand, Bongolan told prosecutors that the incident in which Combs dangled her over a 17-story balcony left her with “night terrors.”
“I have night terrors and paranoia and scream in my sleep at times,” she testified on Wednesday.
Bongolan is friends with Ventura, the two met in 2013.
'Volatile:' Cassie's friend describes her relationship with Combs
17:07 , Ariana BaioBongolan, a friend of Ventura’s, described Ventura’s relationship with Combs as “volatile.”
On the stand, Bongolan said she witnessed Ventura have a black eye and heard argumentative conversations between the two over the phone, making her uneasy to initially meet Combs.
Bongolan says Combs knew where she and Cassie had been
17:12 , Ariana BaioIn April 2016, Combs knew where Bongolan and Ventura had been shopping despite neither telling Combs their whereabouts, Bongolan testified.
Bongolan told jurors that Combs texted Ventura a list of places the two had been that day. But, neither woman had told Combs where they were.
After receiving the text, the two returned to Ventura’s apartment.
In one instance, Cassie and Combs threw a knife at each other
17:19 , Ariana BaioBongolan testified that she once witnessed Combs and Ventura throw a knife at one another, providing more corroborating testimony about the abuse Ventura endured.
During the incident, Combs entered Ventura’s apartment angry and threw the knife. Ventura threw the knife back, Bongolan testified.
'I am the devil and I can kill you,' Combs threatened Bongolan
17:27 , Ariana BaioBryana Bongolan’s testimony is off to a running start as she described witnessing violent moments between Ventura and Combs and experiencing Combs’ anger firsthand.
Bongolan told jurors that one time, Combs threatened her life saying something to the effect of, “I am the devil and I can kill you.”
“I was just scared of Puff,” Bongolan said.
Judge recesses for lunch
17:29 , Ariana BaioJudge Subramanian has recessed the court for a lunch break.
Bongolan will return to the stand after.
From inside the courthouse: A slow start with technical testimony
17:40 , Kelly RissmanThis morning, jurors were forced to watch the disturbing Intercontinental Hotel footage over and over again as Frank Piazza testified about the distortions and pixelations. He put together a fuller 12-minute version that combines multiple angles and videos.
His testimony was highly technical — I wouldn’t be surprised if jurors’ eyes glazed over. The defense appeared to be trying to poke holes in the authenticity of the footage. Although Piazza was able to explain the glitches and time jumps — and at times appeared annoyed for having to repeat himself — some people seemed to believe the defense’s argument.
The woman sitting next to me said she thought it was altered, but had no doubts that Diddy kicked Cassie.
Court resumes
18:14 , Ariana BaioThe lunch break is over and Judge Subramanian is back on the bench.
On the stand, Bongolan recounts the balcony incident
18:36 , Ariana BaioBryana Bongolan is back on the stand after lunch and is testifying about the time Combs lifted her up and hung her over a 17-story balcony.
Bongolan said she and her ex-girlfriend were at Ventura’s apartment at the time of the incident. Bongolan took her then-girlfriend outside to the balcony after Combs walked in.
Shortly after, Combs walked out to the balcony and yelled at her, “you know what the f*** you did.”
She explained that Combs was dangling her over the railing by her armpits. Bongolan said she is about 5 feet tall and at the time was somewhere between 100 and 115 pounds.
Bongolan testified that she did not know what Combs was talking about.
Bongolan sustained injuries after Combs dangled her over a balcony
18:54 , Ariana BaioAfter dangling Bongolan over a 17-story balcony, Combs threw her onto furniture, leaving her with bruises and neck pain.
Bongolan told jurors that her leg was badly bruised and her neck hurt, so she sought some care from a chiropractor.
Jurors were shown photos of the injuries.
However, Bongolan did not tell the chiropractor how she sustained the injury nor did not call the police, because she was scared.
Last time Bongolan was with Combs and Cassie was 2018
18:57 , Ariana BaioThe last time Bryana Bongolan was with Combs and Ventura was around the new year in 2018, after they went to a hotel in Miami and did ketamine for eight hours.
Bongolan told jurors she left there desiring to get sober, even tattooing the date on her neck as a “commitment” to stop using illicit drugs.
After making the decision, her relationship with Ventura became “sporadic.”
Defense attorneys begin cross-examination
19:18 , Ariana BaioProsecutors ended their questioning of Bongolan and Combs’ defense is now conducting cross-examination.
At the end of questioning, prosecutors asked Bongolan how much she requested from her lawsuit with Combs, to which she replied, $10 million.
Bongolan admits to extensive drug use with Cassie
19:48 , Ariana BaioNicole Westmoreland, one of Combs’ defense attorneys, is asking Bongolan about the drugs she used with and provided to Cassie Ventura.
“You would agree with me that you and Cassie had a serious drug problem,” Westmoreland asked.
Bongolan replied, “Yeah, we had a problem.”
Bongolan said she would provide Ventura with opioids in the form of pain medication.
Defense attorney grilling Bongolan
20:12 , Ariana BaioDefense attorney Nicole Westmoreland is taking a more confrontational approach to questioning Bongolan, skeptical of her stories.
She’s asked Bongolan for more details about events she recalled with prosecutors – what type of drugs were used, where the knife from the knife incident came from, and what year she witnessed violence.
But Bongolan has been unable to give specific answers.
Westmoreland has directly asked Bongolan, “Are you telling the truth?”
Bongolan struggles to remember details
20:51 , Ariana BaioBongolan has given vague, uncertain answers to many of Westmoreland’s specific questions about the incidents she shared with prosecutors.
Bongolan has been unable to recall whether her ex-girlfriend was already in the bathroom or if she brought her to the bathroom during the balcony incident.
She was unsure how the knife incident began or where the knife came from.
Westmoreland appears to be showing jurors that Bongolan has some inconsistencies in her recounting.
Jurors dismissed
21:10 , Ariana BaioJurors have been dismissed for the day. Westmoreland will continue her cross-examination of Bongolan tomorrow morning.
From inside the courthouse: Defense attorneys pick apart Bongolan's testimony
21:27 , Kelly RissmanNicole Westmoreland did a great job casting doubt around the balcony incident and whether it even happened, pointing out the inconsistencies in Bongolan’s legal demands, civil complaint, and meetings with the government.
Bongolan said “I don’t remember” about a dozen times when asked about what she said previously.
We did see photos of a massive 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.
