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A former girlfriend of Diddy’s took the stand today under the pseudonym “Jane” and testified that the music mogul pressured her to participate in drug-fueled sexual encounters known as “freak offs.” At first, Jane said, she and Diddy shared a loving relationship beginning in 2021, giving each other the nicknames Bert and Ernie. But after her first “freak off,” it became a “Pandora’s box” situation in which, she said, she had to oblige.
The sex sessions could last between 24 and 30 hours with no sleep, Jane said. Diddy would arrange the “freak offs” around the world. As a single mother who came to depend on Diddy, “I felt an obligation because I knew he was paying my rent,” she testified. Known as “Victim-2” in the prosecution’s indictment, Jane is expected to testify over multiple days, presumably building on allegations that Diddy used his business empire as a criminal enterprise to fulfill his desires.
Here’s who else testified today:
- Bryana Bongolan, the friend of Casandra Ventura’s who said she was dangled over a 17th-floor balcony in Los Angeles in 2016, was on the witness stand for a second day under cross-examination. Defense lawyer Nicole Westmoreland questioned that timeline of events and showed receipts that indicated Diddy was in New York. “You came in here and lied to the jury, isn’t that true?” Westmoreland asked, to which Bongolan replied, “I can’t agree with you.”
- Enrique Santos, an investigative analyst for the U.S. attorney’s office, briefly took the stand to talk about extracting data from cellphones. In one text message, Ventura informed a top Diddy aide about the alleged dangling incident.
🔎 The view from inside
By Adam Reiss, Chloe Melas, Jing Feng and Austin C. Mullen
In a striking moment for the otherwise mild-mannered Judge Arun Subramanian, he admonished the defense team after Diddy apparently flashed facial expressions at jurors during Bongolan’s testimony. “There was a line of questioning where your client was nodding vigorously and looking at the jury,” Subramanian said, warning that if Diddy didn’t stop, “it could result in the exclusion of your client from the courtroom.”
Diddy, in an oversize cream sweater and khaki pants, had been extremely engaged with his legal team all day, passing notes and conferring with his lawyers. In the morning, he waved and blew a kiss to his mother, Janice Combs, right after proceedings began. And when one of his lawyers made objections before the jury came in, he nodded in affirmation.
In other news: There were audible gasps and laughter in the courtroom overflow room with members of the public during the cross-examination of Bongolan, as Westmoreland got the witness to repeatedly say, “I don’t remember.” Westmoreland showed her legal chops again today in her exchanges with Bongolan.
Meanwhile, Jane’s taking the stand drew obvious interest from the media and spectators in the overflow room, with some wondering how someone so close to Diddy became a witness for the prosecution.
👨⚖️ Analysis: Look not guilty
By Danny Cevallos
Diddy was reprimanded for trying to connect with jurors. Generally, it’s OK for a defendant to react to testimony, but it should be subtle. A nod or a shake of the head is acceptable.
But it’s also unwise.
Defendants should not be showing much emotion at the defense table. It seems counterintuitive, right? After all, if you are on trial, and you believe you are innocent, wouldn’t you show emotion at all these “lies” being told about you?
But for whatever reason, emotive defendants do not play well with juries. It’s a paradox: The jury is constantly watching the defendant, but the defendant shouldn’t actually do anything. A defense attorney once told me he advises his clients to “just sit there and look not guilty.”
But what does that mean? What it doesn’t mean is acting out. No muttering under the breath. No harrumphing. And, if Diddy is trying to make eye contact or otherwise connect with jurors, that’s crossing the line.
It’s another example of a defendant trying to engage in self-help. And that’s almost always a bad idea.
🗓️ What’s next
Tomorrow: Jane is expected to return to the stand for more questioning from prosecutors.
PSA: Every night during Diddy’s trial, NBC’s “Dateline” will drop special episodes of the “True Crime Weekly” podcast to get you up to speed. “Dateline” correspondent Andrea Canning chats with NBC News’ Chloe Melas and special guests — right in front of the courthouse. Listen here. 🎧
