Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial live updates:
Judge denies defense mistrial request as LAPD
and arson investigators take the stand
Combs faces five criminal counts in total, including two of sex trafficking, and has denied all of the allegations.
What to know about the sex trafficking trial
Combs’ legal team moved for a mistrial, accusing the prosecution of misconduct over the implication that Combs may have destroyed fingerprint evidence. The judge denied the motion saying there were no objections on the line of questioning up until that point and no testimony that was prejudicial.
Los Angeles police Officer Chris Ignacio, a 16-year veteran of the force, took the witness stand this morning. An arson investigator for the Los Angeles Fire Department, Lance Jiminez also testified.
Both witnesses were originally supposed to testify yesterday, but were moved after Sean "Diddy" Combs' former assistant, Capricorn Clark, delivered a day of gripping testimony.
Combs faces five criminal counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy; two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has denied the allegations against him.
This live blog may include graphic descriptions of sexual violence. For resources on sexual assault, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline.
MATTHEW RUSSELL LEE of I.C.P.
the ears to the inside for
MIND OF MONKEY STUDIO
1h / 1:19 PM
Judge: Adjourned
1h / 1:15 PM
AUSA: We are still ahead of schedule - we may even cut some witnesses. I think we'll rest in less than six weeks. We'd like to in the 2d week of June. We might bleed over into the third week.
Judge: I'll look at the requests to charge.
1h / 1:12 PM
Combs' Agnifilo: We think Your Honor could let us meet with Mr. Combs in the SCIF here in the courthouse, under your Article III powers. We'd like the SCIF every night until 10 o'clock.
1h / 1:03 PM
Judge: We're at 4 pm.
[Jury leaves]
Judge: Who are the witnesses after Mia?
AUSA: We think she will go long. But after her, Enrique Santos.
Judge: After today, Mr. Agnifilo, give you exhibits by 5.
Agnifilo: We only get back to the office by then
1h / 12:59 PM
Combs' Donaldson: Who was Mia?
Nash: Puff's assistant.
Donaldson: You and Mia jumped on Mr. Combs to protect Cassie from him, right?
Nash: And to protect him from doing something worse
Donaldson: And D-Roc tried to protect you, and not protect Mr. Combs?
A: Yes
1h / 12:46 PM
Combs' Donaldson: You smoked pot before meeting prosecutors?
Nash: Yes. And Maurene cut it short.
Donaldson: You told her you were high?
Nash: That I was smoking.
Donaldson: Making a video costs hundreds of thousands of dollar?
Nash: Not necessarily
1h / 12:42 PM
Combs' Donaldson: You saw her take drugs?
Nash: Cocaine, Ecstasy and MDMA.
Donaldson: Mushrooms and acid?
Nash: I'm not, like, privy to that.
Donaldson: Not to get into your business, you have used cocaine?
Nash: Yes.
1h / 12:39 PM
Combs' Donaldson: When's the last time you spoke with Bana?
Nash: Yesterday.
Donaldson: Not about testimony, right?
Nash: Right. She saw it on the news.
Donaldson: When'd you speak with Cassie
Nash: Yesterday. I congratulated her on having the baby
1h / 12:37 PM
[They've back]
Combs' Donaldson: Nice coat.
Nash: Thank you.
Donaldson: What size?
Nash: Not your size.
Donaldson: Right answer. Mr. Combs was the final decision making?
Nash: No. Some of them look terrible.
Donaldson: You are friends with Ms. Fine?
Nash: Yes
1h / 12:22 PM
Judge: Break
1h / 12:21 PM
Nash: Can I take a break?
Judge: Yes.
[Jury leaves]
Judge: Mr. Donaldson, how much more?
Donaldson: No way I'll be finished by 4.
Judge: Did you know that before I told the jury it's be 4?
Donaldson: I didn't know.
Judge: Well, we'll go to 4
AUSA: I'll rebook
1h / 12:17 PM
Combs' Donaldson: Who else were you styling for in 2016?
Nash: Cassie, Puff, Mase and Lil Kim.
Donaldson: Major artists. And on the mix tape, you were executive produce but got no credit. Meek Mill was on the mix tape?
Nash: Yes.
Donaldson: Pusha T?
Nash: Yes
1h / 12:10 PM
Combs' Donaldson: What is Young and Reckless?
Nash: A street-ware clothing brand. Cassie owned a part of it.
Donaldson: Mr. Combs had nothing to do with it?
Nash: He had to approve everything.
Donaldson: Wasn't Bana [Bryana Bongolan] involved?
Nash: As stylist
1h / 12:06 PM
Combs' Donaldson: As head of Bad Boy, it was in Mr. Combs interest that his artist Cassie look good, right?
Nash: I suppose
Donaldson: And Bad Boy paid for Cassie's studio time, right?
Nash: Yes
Donaldson: Ms. Ventura can't go to the studio under Mr. Combs pays
1h / 12:01 PM
Combs' Donaldson: So it's Mr. Combs who made you a celebrity stylist.
Nash. Sure, go ahead.
Donaldson: I am going ahead. As a celebrity stylist, you pick clothes? Like for Mrs. Fine's wedding?
Nash: Yes.
Donaldson: Do you know Groovey Lew?
Nash: Yes
1h / 11:55 AM
Nash: This is the 2016 Bad Boy Reunion show.
Combs' Donaldson: Did you pick out that dress?
Nash: I don't remember.
Donaldson: You didn't start as a celebrity stylist - it was that Mr. Combs introduced you to Cassie, right?
Nash: I met her. Mrs. Fine
1h / 11:49 AM
Combs' Donaldson: On March 10, 2025 did you not tell Ms. Comey that you are considering a civil complaint against Mr. Combs?
Nash: No.
Donaldson: DX 1800 - what is this?
Nash: Cassie in the video for the mix tape.
Donaldson: And 1801?
Nash: Cassie & Usher
1h / 11:47 AM
Combs' Donaldson: You hired a civil lawyer, Mr. Dunn, to represent you, considering litigation against Mr. Combs?
Nash: No.
Donaldson: Does this document show that?
Nash: It's their assumption. But no. I have counsel to protect me. I don't do Federal court.
1h / 11:45 AM
Judge: We might stay until 4. Mr. Donaldson?
Combs' Donaldson: How are you?
Nash: Blessed.
Donaldson: When he met with the government, you had an attorney present?
Nash: Yes.
Donaldson: The subpoena didn't mean you had to go to their office
A: Right
1h / 11:41 AM
[Before jury back]
AUSA: This witness has a flight back to LA tonight. We'll rebook if we have to, but if we could stay a little later and finish with him, I know he'd appreciate it.
Judge: I think we can, I told the jurors we might stay until 4.
Jury enters
1h / 11:26 AM
Judge: Break
1h / 11:25 AM
AUSA: How many of your meetings with prosecutors did you end early?
Nash: Probably all of them
AUSA: Did you stay in touch with Mr Combs?
Nash: Yes
AUSA: What was your tone?
Nash: Loving.
AUSA: Why?
Nash: I don't hate him. It's not in me
AUSA: No further questions
1h / 11:23 AM
Nash: I had to Wake her up.
AUSA: Did she wake up?
Nash: She woke up for ME...
AUSA: What did Mr. Combs say?
Nash: That's he'd spent all this money so she had to. Then there was a... low budget producer
(laughs)
1h / 11:20 AM
AUSA: New Years Eve 2017, where were you?
Nash: Vegas. With Cassie and the staff. All on the same floor of the hotel. Puff's room was at the end of the hall.
AUSA: What did Mr. Combs tell you?
Nash: That Cassie had been asleep for 24 hours, I had to take her up.
1h / 11:18 AM
AUSA: Where did you go after the Blind Dragon?
Nash: 875 Comstock, like 17A. Puff said, y'all gonna get some d*ck tonight.
AUSA: What did Ms. Ventura say?
Nash: That she didn't want to go. But he made her. They left the house. She was super high
1h / 11:15 AM
Nash: Puff asked me should he surprise her on her birthday
AUSA Comey: What did you say?
Nash: Girl, I was not about to tell him not to surprise her
AUSA: Did she use the world freak off with you?
Nash: Not like freak OFF, more like Freakoff
AUSA: Like a verb?
Yes
1h / 11:12 AM
AUSA: Did Cassie tell you she was going to a hotel with Mr. Combs?
Nash: Yes, weekly. She would pack sex toys.
AUSA: Did she say she wanted to go?
Combs' Donaldson: Objection!
Judge: Overruled.
Nash: She said she didn't want to go.
AUSA: Her 29th birthday, tell me
1h / 11:11 AM
AUSA: Did anything change?
Nash: No.
AUSA: How often did you help Cassie hide?
Nash: Often.
AUSA: What did Mr. Combs do?
Nash: He would blow our phones up. KK would too. She would say Puff was calm. Cassie would go back.
1h / 11:07 AM
Nash: Puff said, Y'all keep going out.
AUSA: Did you report anything to the police?
Nash: No, I was afraid of retaliation from Puff.
AUSA: Did you get anyone on staff?
Nash: Kristina Khorram, KK.
AUSA: What did she say?
Nash: That she would talk to him
1h / 11:05 AM
AUSA: The "Perfect Match" premiere, what did you see?
Nash: Cassie had a black eye.
AUSA: When was Mr. Combs violent with you at a music video?
Nash: Yes. I was outside smoking a cigarette. Puff came and threw me on the car and started choking me out
1h / 11:01 AM
AUSA: Why did you keep $1000 cash?
Nash: So when Puff was mad I could check into a hotel without giving my name.
AUSA: What happened in 2015?
Nash: I saw Puff slap Cassie in the face, he said, Get this b*tch out of here.
AUSA: What did you do?
Nash: Got her out
1h / 10:59 AM
Nash: Puff told me, You played me. I drove off but Puff's security followed me. I turned off my lights and drove really fast. I went to the Universal Sheraton.
AUSA: Did you go home the next day?
Nash: Yes. I found my backpack was stolen, it had $1000 in it
1h / 10:58 AM
Nash: I went to Cassie's hotel room, with D-Roc and Tony. She jumped up - she was frightened. She said she would jump off the balcony.
AUSA: How high was it?
Nash: It wasn't the first floor... Downstairs I saw four or five of Puff's security waiting.
1h / 10:55 AM
Nash: Puff came to my house looking for her, he looked in my oven, I'm not sure why. Puff took my phone, and Cassie called, from a hotel. Puff said, Let's go there. Bad Boy staff stayed there.
AUSA: What did Mr. Combs say?
Nash: He said, Go get her
1h / 10:52 AM
AUSA: What did she say, about wanting or not wanting to have sex with other men?
Combs' Donaldson: Objection!
Judge: Overruled.
Nash: That she didn't want to... I drove her to Sunset Blvd to get a taxi?
AUSA: Why?
Nash: Uber wasn't really a thing yet
1h / 10:50 AM
Nash: Puff said he'd send her sex tapes to her parents' jobs and get them fire, that her brother was a b*tch and that only he protected her.
AUSA: What did you tell her?
Nash: That Puff is on the sex tapes too. She said, He is not, he was taping her with other men
1h / 10:48 AM
Nash: They came down and Puff was berating us. As we drove off we got a phone call-
Combs' Donaldson: Objection!
Judge: New question.
AUSA: Call from who?
Nash: Puff. He told us to stop and he came to the window. He said he'd put her sex tapes on the Internet.
1h / 10:46 AM
AUSA: What did Mr. Combs say?
Nash: He said, Y'all better get out of my house. He was grabbing her by the hair. He pushed her out the door then began to do the same to me. But I don't have hair. He popped me. He told me to go downstairs and wait.
1h / 10:44 AM
AUSA: With who?
Nash: D-Roc. He was Puff's security.
AUSA: After that, when did you see her?
Nash: The next day. Facetime or something like that. She had a gash in her eyebrow
AUSA: Were you once cooking with Cassie when Mr. Combs got violent?
Nash: Yes. Puff came
1h / 10:42 AM
Nash: Cassie's head hit the bedframe. She was bleeding but Puff continued hitting her.
AUSA: Where was Mia?
Nash: Getting towels.
AUSA: What did Mr. Combs say to you, Mia and Cassie?
Nash: He said, Look what y'all made me do. He said she'd go to a plastic surgeon
1h / 10:40 AM
Combs' Donaldson: Objection!
Judge: Overruled.
Nash: Very hard. We ran to the bedroom but Puff pushed it open. He continued to attack Cassie with his fist.
AUSA: What did you do to try to help Cassie?
Nash: I jumped on Puff's back. He threw me off. Mia too
1h / 10:39 AM
AUSA Comey: What were you and Mia helping Cassie pack for?
Nash: The OVO fest in Canada.
AUSA: Who came to the door?
Nash: Puff. He said, B*tch didn't I tell you to answer your phone? Then he dragged her by the hair and hit her.
AUSA: How hard was he hitting her?
1h / 10:37 AM
Judge: Bring back in Mr. Nash, and then the jury. All rise!
AUSA Comey: How many times in person have you witnessed Mr. Combs be violent?
Nash: Quite a few.
AUSA: This is a sealed exhibit. Without saying her name, do you recognize this person we'll call Mia?
Yes.
1h / 10:16 AM
They've back, before jury and witness Nash brought it
AUSA: We want to show Mr. Nash a photo of this afternoon's witness Mia, without the screen in the gallery showing the photograph...
2h / 9:26 AM
Judge: OK, all break
2h / 9:23 AM
AUSA Comey: How much of her music was released?
Nash: I'm being generous to say 10 percent.
AUSA: This would be a good place to break.
Judge: Jurors, you may break
[Jurors leave, then Nash]
Judge: Ms. Comey, what he'll say about 2013 is not about the tapes?
A: No
2h / 9:18 AM
AUSA: What was your role?
Nash: I helped pick songs. I probably should have been called an exec-
Combs' Donaldson: Objection!
Judge: Sustained.
AUSA: Her mix tape, was it ever sold?
Nash: No, it was put out free. But it did well, a top download.
2h / 9:17 AM
AUSA: How did she look?
Nash: She looked bomb. Her hair was-
Combs' Donaldson: Objection!
Judge: Overruled
Nash: Her hair was long. Puff picked me up and threatened me. I pinned her hair up.
AUSA: She she record music?
Nash: Often.
2h / 9:15 AM
AUSA: What did you understand Mr. Combs was saying?
Combs' Xavier Donaldson: Objection
Judge: Overruled.
Nash: She packed her stuff and went to her house.
AUSA: Did you attend a Vanity Fair party?
Nash: Yes. Oscars after-party. In 2014 with Cassie, Puff was there
2h / 9:15 AM
AUSA: How often did Mr. Combs say you could not go out without his permission?
Nash: Twice. The first time we went to a gay club, with Kyle and Adrian. Then we went to her LA apartment. Puff called and told her she better bring her ass to his house. She panicked.
2h / 9:10 AM
AUSA: Did Mr. Combs make threats?
Nash: Yes. That he would beat her ass. That he'd send her sex tapes out.
AUSA: How often would he say he would beat her ass?
Nash: Quite a few. It drove her crazy. She would be super emotional. She might stay in the house for days
2h / 9:09 AM
AUSA: How often would you witness Mr. Combs and Ms. Ventura interact?
Nash: At least once a week.
AUSA: What did Mr. Combs call Ms. Ventura?
Nash: B*tch, 'ho, CC, Babygirl, slut. He would call it an outright 'ho, a slut anyway.
AUSA: How did she react?
Nash: Sad
2h / 9:07 AM
AUSA: How'd you get hired to work for them?
Nash: Through a CraigsList ad, for Bad Boy Entertainment.
AUSA: This photo, is it a fair and accurate portrayal of how you looked at that time?
Nash: Not even close.
AUSA: It's a glamor photo?
Nash: Yes, I look amazing
2h / 9:04 AM
Judge: Next witness.
AUSA: The Government calls Deonte Nash... Are you here under subpoena?
Nash: Yes.
AUSA: Do you want to be here?
Nash: Absolutely not.
AUSA: What's you work?
Nash: Celebrity stylist.
AUSA: In 2008?
Nash: For Puff and Cassie.
2h / 9:02 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: And once Mr. Mescudi told you it was his glove, you didn't investigate the glove anymore, correct?
Jimenez: I did not.
Agnifilo: Nothing further.
Judge: Re-direct?
AUSA: When did you speak with Mr. Mescudi?
Jimenez: Same day
AUSA: Nothing further
2h / 8:58 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: You were unable to reach Capricorn Clark or Cassie Ventura - when did you reach out?
Jimenez: In the first few weeks.
Agnifilo: Are you sure? Tell us everything about these calls.
Jimenez: I believe Capricorn's brother answered and we disagreed
2h / 8:54 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: The damage, it's on both sides of the bottle, right?
Jimenez: Looks like it
Agnifilo: Did Mr. Mescudi have more than 1 Porsche?
Jimenez: I think he had a second one in the garage.
Agnifilo: Why isn't it in your report?
Jimenez: It was not involved
2h / 8:43 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: Your premise was that the Molotov cocktail was dropped - did you think the person who dropped it would have worn a glove?
Jimenez: Perhaps.
Agnifilo: It would have been hot.
Jimenez: Only the wick.
2h / 8:40 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: That's a glove, right?
Jimenez: Yes.
Agnifilo: Did you find another glove?
Jimenez: No.
Agnifilo: Did you test the glove for DNA?
Jimenez: No. I understood it belonged to the owner, it was a driving glove.
3h / 8:37 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: What does it mean, partial DNA, female?
Jimenez: I have no idea. I was told if we had a suspect we could test against it
Agnifilo: Any other DNA on the bottle?
AUSA: Objection!
Judge: Rephrase.
Agnifilo: DX 852, just for the witness
3h / 8:35 AM
Judge: Cross examination.
Combs' Agnifilo: There was a DNA hit on the glass bottle, for female DNA, correct?
Jimenez: Yes.
Agnifilo: Do you remember when the results came back?
Jimenez: Maybe six months.
Agnifilo: The test on the bottle - it was important?
A: Yes
3h / 8:29 AM
AUSA: How did you reach out to Cassie?
Jimenez: Wasn't able by phone. Tried through a family member.
AUSA: Did you reach her?
Jimenez: Never.
AUSA: Were charges brought?
Jimenez: No. But I never closed the case. It's listed as inactive.
AUSA: Nothing further
3h / 8:27 AM
Jimenez: I reached out to an assistant?
Jimenez: Her name was Capricorn-
Combs' Agnifilo: I'm going to object.
Judge: Re-phrase.
AUSA: Who did you reach out to?
Jimenez: Capricorn and Cassie Ventura.
AUSA: Did Capricorn respond or assist?
Jimenez: No.
3h / 8:25 AM
Jurors enter
Judge: Jurors, the questions and answers on the fingerprints are irrelevant to this case and are not to be considered by you. Please proceed.
AUSA: Did you interview the owner of the Porsche?
Jimenez: Scott Mescudi.
AUSA: Did you reach out to others?
3h / 8:21 AM
Combs' Shapiro: Will the Court tell the jurors that the answers are not to be considered?
Judge: I'll tell them that the questions and answers on the fingerprints are irrelevant to this case and not to be considered
Combs' Shapiro: Thank you, your Honor.
All rise!
3h / 8:19 AM
Judge: I sustained the objections when raised. The jurors have already been told that questions are not evidence.
Combs' Shapiro: Your Honor should tell the juror that the questions were improper
AUSA: They weren't improper. You could say, disregard both.
3h / 8:14 AM
AUSA: It was Mr. Agnifilo who wanted to inquire into the DNA, into the investigation. Your Honor can just say that the jurors should not draw any inference from the destruction of the fingerprint cards.
Judge: Application for a mistrial is denied.
3h / 8:12 AM
Combs' Shapiro: They should have ended with when the fingerprint cards were destroyed. But they asked, Did he authorize it? There's no way to unring this bell. The only proper remedy here is a mistrial.
AUSA: That's absolutely unwarranted.
3h / 8:09 AM
Combs' Alexandra Shapiro: We are going to move for a mistrial at this time based on the prosecutorial misconduct that has occurred. Some prospective jurors said Mr. Combs could buy his way out - this type of conspiracy is out there and this bought into it
3h / 8:08 AM
They're back.
Judge: My intent is to strike from the record any testimony about the fingerprint cards and the destruction of them. I will note that the only answers were what the witness knew about the destruction. I sustained the objection to if it was abnormal
3h / 7:51 AM
Judge: Recess
3h / 7:48 AM
Combs' Agnifilo: We are considering what remedies to ask for. Let me speak with my colleague. They implied that someone in this courtroom was responsible for the destruction of the fingerprint cards.
AUSA: They intended to attack the investigation
3h / 7:47 AM
Judge: When I heard the questions, I assumed there was going to be line of cross examination about the fingerprint cards, like about the DNA. But that does not appear to be the case. So I'm thinking of telling the jurors to disregard.
Agnifilo: This is outrageous
4h / 7:45 AM
[Combs exited too, with Marshals, into the holding cell]
Agnifilo: Let me get him.
[Combs is brought back in]
Judge: Ms. Slavik, what was the purpose of getting into that?
AUSA Slavik: They are questioning the investigation. So we're entitled to ask this
4h / 7:43 AM
After long sidebar:
Judge: Jurors, we are trying to synch up, why don't we take a break.
[Jurors exit]
4h / 7:34 AM
[Sidebar
4h / 7:33 AM
AUSA: What happened to the print cards?
Jimenez: They were destroyed in 2012.
AUSA: On whose orders?
Jimenez: Someone in LAPD.
AUSA: Not you or anyone on your team?
Combs' Agnifilo: I'm going to object to all of this. Can we have a sidebar?
Judge: OK
4h / 7:29 AM
AUSA: The partial DNA profile, was it consistent with a female contributor?
Jimenez: I was told that.
AUSA: Do you know what it means?
Jimenez: No.
AUSA: Do you know if it is possible to touch an item without leaving DNA?
Defense: Objection
Judge: Sustained
4h / 7:26 AM
AUSA: Let me show you some photos. This is the black Porsche what was burned?
Jimenez: Yes.
AUSA: What kind of bottle was used?
Jimenez: Olde English 800 malt liquor.
AUSA: And the wick?
Jimenez: A designer type scarf, silky. In my opinion this was targeted
4h / 7:14 AM
Jimenez: A handkerchief, burned. A lighter on the ground
AUSA: What hypothesis did you draw?
Jimenez: Molotov cocktail.
AUSA: How did you think it got in?
Jimenez: Someone lit it, cut the roof, and dropped it in.
4h / 7:10 AM
AUSA: Did you respond as an expert to an auto fire at 8925 Hollywood Hills Road?
Jimenez: Yes. There was a cut in the roof of the Porsche.
AUSA: What about inside the Porsche?
Jimenez: Burn patterns inside.
AUSA: Any items?
Jimenez: A bottle on the front seat
4h / 7:02 AM
AUSA: The Government calls LA arson investigator Lance Jimenez. I'll place a binder in front.
[Witness takes stand]
AUSA: How many fires have you investigated?
Jimenez: 100 a year, everything between mansions to dumpster fires. LA is pretty crazy.
5h / 6:52 AM
Combs' Steel: Mr. Mescudi wasn't hyperventilating, right?
Ignacio: He was tense, I'd say.
Steel: Did you search his Porsche?
Ignacio: No.
Steel: It was 8:20 am, not 6:30 am, right?
Ignacio: Right.
Steel: Nothing further.
No re-direct
5h / 6:50 AM
Combs' Steel: If you thought there was a gun in the Escalade, you could have put out a BOLO, right?
AUSA: Objection!
Judge: Overruled.
Steel: You didn't, right?
Ignacio: Right.
Steel: Any mention of security cameras?
Ignacio: I saw some.
5h / 6:49 AM
Combs' Steel: There was no furniture upended, right?
Ignacio: No.
Steel: You called it a trespass, not a burglary, right? Because-
AUSA: Objection!
Judge: I think sustained.
Steel: No report of theft?
Ignacio: No.
5h / 6:47 AM
Combs' Steel: Do you know the definition of a kidnapping?
AUSA: Objection!
Judge: Sustained.
Steel: Were you told the homeowner was in the house shortly before you and your partner got there?
AUSA: Objection!
Judge: Overruled.
Steel: The door was unlocked?
A: Yes
5h / 6:41 AM
Combs' Steel: The streets there are dead-ends?
Ignacio: According to the map.
Steel: It's a beautiful neighborhood, right? Cul de sac?
Ignacio: Sure.
Steel: You don't follow the car, as it drives away, right?
Ignacio: Right.
Steel: Did you see a Porsche?
A: IDK
5h / 6:34 AM
AUSA: You ran the plate of the Escalade?
Ignacio: Yes it came back as Bad Boy Records.
AUSA: No further questions.
Judge: Cross examination? Mr. Steel?
Combs' Brian Steel: This was 13 years ago, right?
Ignacio: Yes.
Steel: You read your partner's report?
A: Yes
5h / 6:29 AM
AUSA: What did you see?
Ignacio: High end watched and purses, some wrapped, some unwrapped. Two detectives showed up. When we came out, I saw the same black Escalade now driving down the hill.
AUSA: Then what?
Ignacio: Mr. Mescudi arrived in a Porsche
5h / 6:26 AM
Ignacio: I memorized the license plate
AUSA: Why?
Ignacio: I thought it could be involved in a crime, the way it left as soon as we got there.
AUSA: Why didn't you go after it?
Ignacio: We didn't have a crime. Yet. The front door was unlocked. We went in...
5h / 6:24 AM
AUSA: On December 22, 2011 what was your shift?
Ignacio: 6 am to 6 pm in a marked police vehicle.
AUSA: What do you remember?
Ignacio: Got a call around 8 am, Code 3 with lights and sirens, to 8925 Hollywood Hills Road
AUSA: What did you find there?
A: An Escalade
5h / 6:19 AM
Judge: Let's bring our jury in... All rise!
[Jurors enter]
AUSA: The Government calls LAPD Officer Christopher Ignacio.
[Witness takes the stand]
AUSA: What is a radio call?
Ignacio: Someone calls 9-1-1 and it gets sent to next available LAPD unit on duty.
5h / 6:01 AM
Judge: Every day now I'm getting these letters - these issues should have been raised pre-trial in motions in limine.
6h / 5:57 AM
AUSA: All Mr. Nash will quote it, He's making me freak off on my birthday. She didn't want to go.
Combs' Alexandra Shapiro: A spouse might say, He's making me go to Rangers game, I'd rather not tonight.
Judge: You could have cross examined Ms. Ventura about this
6h / 5:55 AM
[Before jury is brought it]
Judge: Let's address this. All the Government is saying is that the message shows Ms. Ventura's state of mind
Combs' Donaldson: That's the problem with not being able to re-call Ms. Ventura as a witness.
6h / 5:52 AM
OK - US v Sean Combs Day 11, with LAPD, FDLA, victim Mia and Nash to testify
DAY: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
AND NOW THE VERSION NBC NEWS
POSTED TO THEIR WEBSITE
2h ago / 1:07 PM PDT
Court adjourned for the day, Deonte Nash will resume testimony
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
The government will have to make new travel arrangements for Nash, who was set to fly out of New York City tonight but will have to return to the witness stand tomorrow morning.
He ended for the day being asked about times where it seemed Combs' security team assisted Nash and Ventura, even when it conflicted with Combs.
Mia, a pseudonym for Victim 4, is expected to take the stand tomorrow and continue until court ends Friday afternoon.
2h ago / 12:53 PM PDT
Witness says last spoke with Cassie after she had her baby
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Nash may have revealed some news to the courtroom during his cross examination, telling the jury he last spoke to Cassie Ventura after she gave birth yesterday.
The stylist was asked about when he spoke to Ventura, who was described as Nash's good friend, by defense attorney Xavier Donaldson. Nash responded that it was after she had her baby.
Nash was instructed not to speak to Ventura about any testimony, as they were both taking the witness stand. He told the court that their conversations were generally about how she was doing and about what clothing to wear when appearing in court.
2h ago / 12:45 PM PDT
Witness recalls time Ventura fled Combs in fear
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and David K. Li
Earlier in the day, Nash recalled a tense moment in either 2013 or 2014 when Ventura was fleeing from Combs following a bad argument.
The witness recalled Ventura going up to her hotel room balcony in hopes of evading an enraged Combs, who had sent Nash to find her. The stylist said he feared she was about to harm herself.
“She was going to go over the balcony,” Nash recounted.
2h ago / 11:39 AM PDT
Cassie gives birth less than two weeks after leaving witness stand
Rebecca Cohen and Chloe Melas
Cassie Ventura gave birth yesterday, roughly two weeks after she took the stand as a witness in Sean Combs’ federal sex trafficking trial, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to NBC News.
The baby is her third with her husband, Alex Fine. Ventura announced the pregnancy in an Instagram post featuring black-and-white photos of their family, including the couple’s two young daughters.
2h ago / 11:31 AM PDT
Witness says he'd rather not give evidence against Combs
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and David K. Li
Nash told the jury he had kept in contact with Combs and doesn't have any ill will against him despite all that he witnessed.
He called the regular text messages exchanged with the defendant "loving."
"I don't hate him," Nash said in his direct examination. "It's just not me."
Then under cross-examination, Nash was asked if he was planning a lawsuit against Combs and the witness replied: "No, I am focused on getting out of here (court)."
2h ago / 11:27 AM PDT
Cassie didn't want to go to 'freak offs,' stylist says
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Cassie Ventura expressed that she didn't want to go to hotels with Combs to participate in "freak offs" but would go because Combs wanted her to, Nash testified.
He told the court that Ventura would pack sex toys and be gone for a day or more, returning tired. One example Nash gave to Ventura's not wanting to go to a "freak off" was after a birthday celebration that Combs insisted on throwing for her.
Ventura didn't want to leave, but said that Combs was mad at her for not going to a hotel for a "freak off," Nash said. Ventura previously testified that she eventually left her party with Combs and gave in to his demand instead of going to a karaoke club with her friends.
2h ago / 11:19 AM PDT
Stylist says he reported violence to Combs' chief of staff
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Nash didn't report the violence he witnessed against Cassie Ventura to the police because he feared retaliation from Combs, he told the court.
But Nash testified that he did speak to Combs' chief of staff, Kristina Khorram, about the issue.
Khorram promised to speak to Combs, Nash said, but the violence did not stop.
2h ago / 11:02 AM PDT
Combs threatened to release sex tapes to get Cassie's parents fired, Deonte Nash says
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Combs once threatened to release sex tapes of Cassie Ventura to her parents' workplaces and the internet, the stylist said in his testimony.
Nash told the court that he was at Ventura's apartment when Combs came over and grabbed Ventura by the hair, ordering Nash to get out. He testified Ventura eventually got in his car and they left, but that Combs called ordering them to pull over.
Combs then came to the window, angry with Ventura over something, and told her that he would release sex tapes of her to the internet, according to Nash. The music mogul said he would first release them to her parents' workplaces to get them fired, Nash told the court.
Ventura cried as they drove away, Nash said, and the stylist tried to reassure her by telling her that Combs was on the tapes as well. Nash said that's when Ventura told him that Combs wouldn't be on the tapes because he was filming her with other men.
2h ago / 10:51 AM PDT
Deonte Nash describes jumping on Combs' back after mogul started attacking Cassie
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Nash was in Cassie Ventura's apartment helping her prepare for a music festival when Combs allegedly arrived and assaulted the singer, Nash testified.
Ventura mentioned the attack in her testimony two weeks ago. Nash told the court that Combs was enraged as he grabbed Ventura by the hair and began to kick and hit her.
Nash said he and Mia, also known as Victim-4, each tried to jump on Combs' back but were thrown off. Combs continued to hit Cassie until her head hit the edge of her bed frame and began bleeding, Nash testified.
Prosecutors showed photos of Cassie's bloodied eyebrow when she testified regarding this incident.
2h ago / 10:49 AM PDT
Combs threatened Ventura's career, witness testifies
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and David K. Li
Combs was not shy about threatening Ventura's career if she didn't behave exactly as the music mogul wanted, Nash testified.
The witness recalled Combs telling Ventura that if he heard from her "smart-ass mouth," then "her little mixtape won’t come out."
2h ago / 9:58 AM PDT
Combs had exacting taste for Cassie's hairstyle, witness testifies
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and David K. Li
Just before the break, Nash recounted an incident that allegedly showed how demanding and controlling Combs could be with Ventura.
They all attended Vanity Fair's famed Oscars party in 2014 and Ventura wore her hair stylishly down, which Nash thought looked great.
But Combs disagreed, picked up Nash by his jacket and demanded Cassie's hair be put up, the witness testified. Nash said he quickly got some hair pins and put Ventura's hair up before Combs remarked: "I was right it does look better (up)."
2h ago / 9:29 AM PDT
Done for the lunch hour
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
Judge Subramanian adjourned court for the lunch hour, telling jurors to return before 1:15 p.m. EST.
The government's lead prosecutor, Maurene Comey, yesterday asked the court to extend the regular lunch break from 30 minutes to an hour.
2h ago / 9:23 AM PDT
Combs would tell Cassie he wouldn't put out her mixtape when he was upset with her, Deonte Nash says
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Combs allegedly threatened not to release Cassie Ventura's music when he was upset with her, Nash told the court.
The celebrity stylist testified that he spent time with the couple and that quite a few times Combs would tell Ventura he wouldn't release her music anytime she said something Combs didn't like. The singer was under contract with Combs' record label in a 10-album deal, but only released one full studio album, in 2006.
Nash also testified that he heard Combs threaten Ventura's parents sometime around 2012 or 2013 while he was sitting next to her in a car.
2h ago / 9:10 AM PDT
Deonte Nash called to the stand
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Deonte Nash, a stylist who worked with both Combs and Cassie Ventura, was called to the witness stand.
Cassie testified earlier in the trial that Nash was a friend and that he was present when Combs allegedly attacked her, causing her to cut her eyebrow when she hit the corner of her bed.
She told the court that Nash jumped on Combs' back in her defense because Combs was trying to attack her.
2h ago / 9:09 AM PDT
Clark's brother didn't want to help LAFD probe, investigator says
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and David K. Li
Jimenez's failed effort to interview Clark even led to a "verbal confrontation" with the assistant's brother, the witness said.
The LAFD investigation earlier testified that he couldn't reach Clark and Ventura.
But Jimenez went a step further at the end of his testimony, saying Clark's brother forcefully told him over the phone that she didn't want to be interviewed. Jimenez said Clark's brother made it abundantly clear that she “wanted nothing to do with” his probe.
3h ago / 8:49 AM PDT
A black glove was found inside Kid Cudi car, investigator says
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
A single black driving glove was found in the backseat of Kid Cudi's car, Jimenez told the court upon cross-examination.
Jimenez testified that the glove belonged to Kid Cudi and that it was not sent out for testing as part of the investigation.
Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo asked if the person who dropped the Molotov cocktail in the Porsche was potentially wearing a glove, which Jimenez said was possible.
3h ago / 8:39 AM PDT
Investigator testifies he couldn't reach Cassie Ventura or Capricorn Clark
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and David K. Li
Jimenez testified that he wanted to interview possible witnesses who were connected to Combs — but was greeted by silence.
He especially wanted to interview Combs' girlfriend at the time, Cassie Ventura, and assistant Capricorn Clark but they never returned his phone calls or answered the front door when the investigator knocked in person, Jimenez said.
Jimenez 's testimony could go to the government's obstruction of justice allegations against Combs.
3h ago / 8:18 AM PDT
Defense moves for a mistrial but gets swiftly denied by judge
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Combs' legal team moved for a mistrial, accusing the prosecution of misconduct over the implication that Combs may have destroyed fingerprint evidence.
Judge Arun Subramanian ruled that the testimony from the arson investigator would be struck, but Alexandra Shapiro, one of Combs' attorneys, said the jury will be left with the impression regardless. Prosecutor Christy Slavik argued that there were good faith questions regarding the investigation into the firebombing of Kid Cudi's car.
Subramanian denied the motion for a mistrial, saying there were no objections on the line of questioning up until that point and no testimony that was prejudicial in any way, shape or form.
He added that it was plausible to raise the fingerprint cards during their direct questioning of the witness because the defense was likely going to bring up the fact that evidence in the investigation was destroyed.
3h ago / 8:13 AM PDT
Fingerprint evidence was destroyed, witness testifies
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and David K. Li
The trial came to a dramatic pause when Jimenez revealed that some of the fingerprints lifted during the trespassing probe were destroyed.
The defense argued that all testimony about lost fingerprints should be stricken from the record because the inference could be that Combs had something to do it.
"What the government has done is outrageous," defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo said.
U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian agreed with the defense and struck mentions of the lost fingerprints.
4h ago / 7:31 AM PDT
No doubt this was an intentionally set fire, arson investigator says
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
Jimenez called the fire set inside Kid Cudi's car a "targeted" crime.
It was clear that an attacker took a bottle of gasoline, put a cloth in it, set it on fire and dropped it into the rapper's Porsche, according to the LAFD investigator.
"I personally felt that it was targeted," the witness said.
Arson is among the acts listed in the racketeering conspiracy allegations against Combs.
4h ago / 7:19 AM PDT
Bottle in Molotov cocktail didn't break, arson investigator says
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
The damage to Kid Cudi's car was not as extensive as it could have been because the Molotov cocktail didn't shatter as it was likely intended to, Jimenez explained to the court.
He testified that the cloth fell out and that the bottle didn't break, which would have caused the gasoline inside the bottle to disperse.
Jimenez told the court that firebombs, in his experience, can cause significant damage.
4h ago / 7:14 AM PDT
LAFD arson investigator called to Kid Cudi's home in early 2012
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
Arson investigator Lance Jimenez recalled how he was dispatched to Kid Cudi's Los Angeles home and found a Molotov cocktail in the rapper's car.
An engine company was already scene on Jan. 9, 2012, and found a Porsche with a foot-long cut on its canvas top, Jimenez said.
He reported a bottle with a burned handkerchief on the center console with the smell of gasoline.
5h ago / 6:56 AM PDT
Kid Cudi break-in was not a reported burglary, LAPD cop says
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and Doha Madani
Defense attorney Brian Steele cross-examined the Los Angeles officer who responded to the Kid Cudi break-in, getting him to testify that the incident at the home was not reported as a burglary.
Steele asked Ignacio whether there was any evidence or reports of stolen items, and Ignacio said no. The officer also testified there were no reports made to him at the time that there was a threat to kill anyone.
This is an important moment for Combs' defense because robbery and murder are predicate crimes that would provide support to the government's racketeering charge.
5h ago / 6:38 AM PDT
Car seen at Kid Cudi break-in registered to Bad Boy Productions, cop says
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
The car police observed leaving the scene of the break-in at Kid Cudi's home was registered to one of Combs' companies, according to testimony from Los Angeles police Officer Chris Ignacio.
Ignacio told the court he noticed a Cadillac Escalade directly in front of the rapper's Hollywood Hills home and memorized the license plate in case it was relevant. The officer added that they did not have a confirmed crime when reporting to the home.
A trespassing report was made, Ignacio said, and the computer showed the Escalade was registered to Bad Boy Productions, Inc.
5h ago / 6:36 AM PDT
Pre-Christmas break-in: Gifts opened at Kid Cudi's home
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and David K. Li
When Officer Ignacio entered Kid Cudi's home, he spotted a table with Christmas gifts on it — some were wrapped, some were not.
The policeman's observations could back up Kid Cudi's previous testimony that Combs broke into his house and opened gifts he'd purchased for his family.
5h ago / 6:20 AM PDT
LAPD officer takes the witness stand
Adam Reiss, Jing Feng and David K. Li
Los Angeles police Officer Chris Ignacio, a 16-year veteran of the force, took the witness stand for the state.
Ignacio was working out of the Hollywood Division in late 2011 when he answered a call about a possible break-in at Kid Cudi’s house.
5h ago / 6:15 AM PDT
Court is now in session
Marlene Lenthang
Court is now officially in session, kicking off the 11th day of Combs' racketeering and trafficking trial.
5h ago / 5:57 AM PDT
Combs in court
Marlene Lenthang and Adam Reiss
Combs is in court wearing a dark blue sweater over a white shirt.
6h ago / 5:20 AM PDT
Combs' attorneys arrive to court
Brittany Kubicko and Marlene Lenthang
Marc Agnifilo, Brian Steel and Nicole Westmoreland were all seen arriving this morning after 8 a.m.
6h ago / 5:16 AM PDT
'We're going to kill Mescudi': Former Combs aide described his rage against Kid Cudi
Marlene Lenthang
In her testimony yesterday, Capricorn Clark said Combs was outraged to learn that Cassie and rapper Kid Cudi, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, were seeing each other.
She recalled that the morning of Dec. 22, 2011, Combs banged on her apartment door enraged, with a firearm, and said, "Get dressed, we’re going to go kill Mescudi."
Clark also testified that she was sitting in a car at Kid Cudi’s home when Combs entered. She also said she took Ventura to Best Buy at one point to buy a burner phone to contact Kid Cudi, because she feared Cassie was "going to get us all killed."
7h ago / 4:45 AM PDT
Here’s a recap of yesterday
Marlene Lenthang and Daniel Arkin
Capricorn Clark, who worked as an aide to Combs for years, testified in court yesterday and described her former boss as ruthless and violent.
She testified he had threatened to kill her, subjected her to days of lie detector tests, asked her to buy drugs and shoved her at his Miami home in 2006.
Clark also testified about Combs’ "toxic" relationship with Cassie Ventura. She testified that Combs brutally beat Ventura after he broke into Kid Cudi’s home in 2011.
Clark told the court she called Ventura's mother for help, and told her, "He’s beating the s--- out of your daughter. I’m in over my head. Please help her. I can’t call the police, but you can."
8h ago / 3:51 AM PDT
Combs 'should definitely walk,' says rival Suge Knight
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
Combs' bitter rival, Death Row Records founder Suge Knight, said he believes the Bad Boy executive is being wrongly prosecuted.
"Puffy and I are not friends, but Puffy should definitely walk at the end of the day," Knight told NewsNation host Chris Cuomo in a jailhouse interview yesterday.
Knight said that if Combs did break the law, he shouldn't be the only person prosecuted.
"But the most important thing is that it was other executives that was involved in Puffy's life, and for Puffy to be the only guy that gets on the stand is a sad day for hip-hop," said Knight, who is being held at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego.
The Death Row founder's name was mentioned at trial because Combs allegedly armed himself and tried to confront Knight at an L.A. restaurant in 2008.
Knight was sentenced to 28 years in prison in 2018 for a fatal hit-and-run three years prior.
8h ago / 3:37 AM PDT
L.A. police officer and firefighter set to testify
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
Los Angeles police Officer Christopher Ignacio and L.A. fire arson investigator Lance Jiminez are expected to be the first witnesses to take the witness stand this morning.
They will presumably discuss the 2012 Molotov cocktail attack on Kid Cudi's Porsche.
Stylist Deonte Nash, a former Combs employee, and “Mia,” an alleged victim of Combs, are set to follow the L.A. authorities.
DAY: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
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