Bryana "Bana" Bongolan wrapped up both direct and cross in the Combs trial today - and wow. It was tense, murky, and loaded. Immunity granted, trauma unpacked, memory selectively fuzzy. Let’s break it down...
2. First bombshell: She claims Combs lifted her over a balcony railing while yelling “Do you know what the f**k you did?” She says she didn’t. She also says he groped her. But... she never called the police. “I was scared.” Fair. But still - no 911?
3. Then there’s the beach shoot incident. She says Combs got in her face and said, “I’m the devil and I could k-ll you.” Asked why she stuck around after that? She shrugged: “Honestly, I don’t know.” Not very convincing. Or maybe too real.
4. Drugs? Oh yes. Bongolan admits she used Molly, G, cocaine, ketamine, weekly, with Cassie and Diddy. They tried to sober up by cooking together. Cute. Didn’t last. “We had a problem,” she said. That part felt honest.
5. About that $10 million lawsuit: In 2024, Bongolan lawyered up and demanded cash from Combs. Says she fired that lawyer when she saw “errors” in the paperwork. But then, 6she filed a NEW lawsuit for the same incident. Justice? Or a redo?
6. And get this: She says a music producer called on behalf of Combs to discuss a “settlement.” Hush money vibes? Maybe. She says that call pushed her to finally sue. But her own words make it sound a little... strategic?
7. Memory trouble? Conveniently placed. She didn’t recall what drugs she took. Didn’t recall what set Combs off. Didn’t recall what she said two days ago to prosecutors. But she remembers dangling over a balcony. Vividly.
8. Her contact with Ventura? “Sporadic” since 2018. But they talked in 2023, after the lawsuit. She told Cassie some lawsuit details were wrong. Like the date. And the location. Wait, how do you get those details wrong in a $10 million suit?
9. Defense attorney Nicole Westmoreland isn’t done with her yet. Cross-examination resumes tomorrow. Expect sharper knives and deeper cuts. Will Bongolan hold up? Or fold under fire? We'll see.
10. Bottom line: Bongolan’s testimony gave the jury drama, danger, and doubt. She's clearly been through something. But was it assault, confusion, drugs—or all three? Tomorrow could be decisive. Stay tuned.
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2. These are the charges
Count 1: Racketeering conspiracy
Count 2: S-x trafficking of Cassie Ventura
Count 3: Transportation for prostitution of Cassie and others
Count 4: S-x trafficking of "Jane"
Count 5: Transportation for prostitution of Jane and others
3. Yesterday, the jury reached a verdict on Counts 2 through 5, but the court agreed that a partial verdict would not be accepted, they must continue deliberating on Count 1. Hopefully, we'll find out today
2. Fewer people were in court today. Today, Sean Combs was dressed in a white sweater. Janice Combs was also in court silently watching proceedings as usual
3. Today's session was mainly about the second note the judge received yesterday from the jury. It was a question about the charges concerning the distribution of controlled substances.
2. Jury deliberations will begin shortly. Jurors are facing the heavy task of reviewing all five federal charges against him: racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and two counts of transportation for prostitution.
3. The 12-member jury is made up of 8 men and 4 women, aged 30 to 74, hailing from Manhattan, the Bronx, and Westchester County. Their professional backgrounds span from investment analysts to massage therapists, offering a diverse cross-section of New York City life.
2. Before the jury walked in, Sean Combs stood at the defense table hyping up his legal team like it was Super Bowl halftime palms pressed in prayer, shaking them at each lawyer. His lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, paced by the podium, tense and focused.
3. Marc Agnifilo opened with a punch: “This is a tale of two trials.” According to him, the real trial was what witnesses, texts, and videos showed. The prosecution’s version? “An exaggerated trial.” He didn’t deny everything. “We own the domestic violence,” he said.
2. Agnifilo says he's expecting to complete his closing arguments in about three hours.
3. Marc Agnifilo: Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, let’s talk about who Sean Combs really is. He’s a self-made Black entrepreneur. A visionary. A man who built real businesses, businesses so successful and groundbreaking that major players chose to partner with him.
Today was the prosecutors closing arguments in the Sean Combs trial and we got literal descriptions of some of the videos the jury were privy to. There's a lot to unpack here so let's dive in.
2. Prosecutors wrapped 6 weeks of testimony today, with closing arguments. AUSA Christy Slavik called him the kingpin of a "criminal enterprise." Kidnapping, arson, bribery, sex trafficking - oh my! Is this a music mogul or a mob boss?
AUSA Slavik on the right.
3. Slavik painted Diddy’s inner circle as loyal lieutenants in his empire of "violence, coercion, and manipulation." Ex-chief of staff Kristina Khorram and security guards allegedly enabled his darkest deeds. Raising questions as to who was really pulling the strings.