WEEK four of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal trial began with the judge scolding the defense about video evidence of the disgraced music exec’s former assistant that is expected to be shown in court.
The victim, who is being referred to as Mia, painted a disturbing picture for jurors last week about the sleep deprivation and violent environment she allegedly endured while working for Combs, 55.
Judge Arun Subramanian has allowed the defense to present a last-minute video to the court, which they claims discredits Mia’s testimony about Combs’ years-long abuse.
“We found this video on the internet,” Combs’ lead attorney Marc Agnifilo told the judge on Friday.
“I think there were people on the internet who figured out who Mia is… we received emails from random people with the same video.”
The video showed Mia wishing Combs a happy birthday in 2013.
However, Judge Subramanian scolded defense attorney Brian Steel as he tried to begin Monday’s cross-examination by showing jurors the video, which also faced an objection by prosecutors.
“Mr Steel, are we just going to show this video? You haven’t laid any type of foundation. Take the video down,” the judge said.
The defense was eventually allowed to admit the video into evidence after establishing a foundation for presenting the clip to the jury.
‘CYCLE OF VIOLENCE’
Mia, who worked for Combs from 2009 to 2017, is back on the stand to begin week four after testifying about the three instances where Combs allegedly raped her.
Mia testified that she had never disclosed the alleged sexual assaults to anyone, saying “I was going to die with it.”
She underwent a grueling cross-examination by defense attorney Brian Steel, who tried to suggest to her that she made up the sexual assault allegations against Combs.
However, Mia took firm on her accusations, saying, “What I said in this courtroom is true. I have not lied to anyone at all.”
Mia told the courtroom how during her years working for Combs she sometimes felt like he was a best friend and working partner, but other times he treated her like a “worthless piece of crap.”
Steel challenged the victim to explain why she continued working for Combs despite the years of abuse and after the allegedly being raped.
“In an abusive relationship there’s a cycle of violence,” Mia said.
“I was young and manipulated and eager to survive. I’m unraveling a lot of this now in therapy.
“Nobody was there to say these things that were happening were wrong. There was nobody around us that ever even flinched at his behavior.”
Combs is facing five criminal charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
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Prosecutors accuse defense of harassing the witness
Before the court returned from its brief break, leader prosecutor Maureen Comey accused Combs’ defense attorney Brian Steel of harassing Mia.
Comey claimed Steel forced the former assistant to endure a “humiliating cross-examination” where the defense attorney was “sarcastic” and insulting her.
“we are crossing the threshold into prejudice and into harassing the witness,” Comey told the judge.
“Our concern is if this victim is not protected from further harassment, it will deter other victims in other cases from testifying and telling the truth.”
However, Judge Arun Subramanian did not agree with Comey’s claims.
“I have not heard any yelling or heard anything sarcastic,” the judge said.
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Mia considers Cassie Ventura as a “sister”
When asked about her relationship with Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura, Mia agreed that she considers the singer like a sister.
“You loved her?” defense attorney Brian Steel asked the former assistant, who agreed with the question.
Steel then asked Mia if she would never lie to Ventura, to which she responded, “Puff didn’t allow me to tell her things, like where he was, anything he said.”
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Former assistant back on the stand as court returns
Mia, who is testifying under a pseudonym, has returned to the stand after the court took a brief break.
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Jury shown Mia’s happy birthday clip to Diddy
Jurors were shown Mia’s happy birthday video to Diddy from 2013.
In the video, Mia is seen seated at a desk and said she’s “blessed” to call Combs her friend.
“Puff Daddy, the living legend himself,” the former assistant said in the video.
“You have not only revolutionized the game, but the entire world. I am so blessed to call you my friend.
“Thank you for truly being one of the biggest inspirations in my life. To another 44 years of brilliance. Let’s f**k s**t up. I love you, happy birthday. Revolt,” Mia said as she ends the video by blowing a kiss to the camera.
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Defense admits video of Mia wishing Diddy a happy birthday
Judge Arun Subramanian has allowed the defense to admit a last-minute video evidence of Mia wishing Combs a happy birthday in 2013.
The court went on a brief break.
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Diddy auditioned for James Brown film, Get On Up
Mia testified that Combs auditioned for the role of James Brown in the 2014 film Get On Up.
The film chronicles Brown’s rise from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential musicians in history.
Late Chadwick Boseman starred as Brown in the movie.
The former assistant said she carried around a video camera at Combs’ request.
When asked by Steel if she had any footage of Combs berating her, Mia said, “I would not have been allowed to record that.”
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Former assistant testifies she was ‘brainwashed’ by Diddy
Mia explained how Combs “brainwashed her,” and when defense attorney Brian Steel asked her to define the word, she said, “The highs were really high and the lows were really low.
“I was punished whenever Puff was violent, making me believe I had done something wrong. He was praised by the public.”
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August 2020 text message
Defense attorney Brian Steel underscored a text message Combs wrote to Mia on August 29, 2020, where he said, “Glad you’re well. Love. Please send me the footage, for the doc.”
Steel asked the witness, “It’s 2020, The MeToo movement is strong for 2 years. You could say, I remember the bad times, right?”
Mia responded that she would never have said that, to which Steel said, “because it’s not true.”
Instead, Mia wrote, “Love you too!”
The former assistant explained that she texted Combs “many crazy times” during that time.
“I wrote, so many crazy things, like Mick Jagger trying to take me home… And that baccarat game, my pink bedazzled iPhone,” she said.
“There are trillions of stories. Of course, I’ll send to you. I was bamboozled by Heather. Remember the scrapbook I made you. I”ve got you.”
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Defense going through text messages between Mia and Combs
The defense is going through a series of text messages between Mia and Combs throughout the years.
In January 2019, Mia texted Combs saying she had a nightmare that she was trapped in an elevator with singer R. Kelly and that Combs saved her.
Asked by defense attorney Steel if she was still under Combs’ grip at the time, the former assistant responded it was still “psychologically.”
“Also, Puff used to be my protector,” she added.
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2018 Christmas text to Diddy
Brian Steel questions Mia about a 2018 Christmas letter she wrote to Combs.
“Merry Christmas, I love you!” Mia said, reading the text.
The former assistant explained how the letter came after she saw Combs at the funeral of his ex-girlfriend, Kim Porter.
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Defense questions former assistant about her resume
Defense Brian Steel began cross-examination by questioning Mia about her cover letter.
The resume said Mia provided “round-the-clock support” to Mike Myers as his assistant between 2008 and 2009.
Steel underscored to the witness that her resume read that she had “thick skin.”
“I thought I did,” Mia responded.
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Week four of the Diddy trial is underway
The jury returned on Monday for the start of week four of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial.
Combs’ former assistant, who is being referred to as Mia, is back on the stand after two days of punishing testimony.
Mia is under cross-examination by the defense.
