Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is denied bail after being found guilty of transportation for prostitution. He was cleared of racketeering and sex trafficking charges earlier on Wednesday, after the jury reached a partial verdict. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty speaks to BBC New York digital reporter Sakshi Venkatraman and criminal defence attorney Shaun Kent. Details of organisations in the UK offering information and support with some of the issues raised are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline Presenter: Anoush...
Jul 03, 2025•23 min
Music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs is found not guilty of racketeering, and not guilty of sex trafficking ex-partner Casandra Ventura and another woman referred to as 'Jane'. He is found guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution, related to both women. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty is in court to see Combs' reaction as the verdict is read out. Details of organisations in the UK offering information and support with some of the issues raised are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline Presenter: Anou...
Jul 02, 2025•8 min
The jury has reached a partial verdict during the second day of deliberations in Sean "Diddy" Combs's criminal trial. The jury has reached a verdict on four of the five counts Diddy faces, but are unable to on the fifth - the racketeering conspiracy charge. The judge has told the jurors to carry on deliberating on the final charge. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty speaks to the BBC’s New York digital reporter Madeline Halpert about the day in court. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is on trial in New York, facing f...
Jul 01, 2025•6 min
The jury have been sent out in the trial after being instructed by the judge to consider each of the charges against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. Just an hour into deliberations, the jury sent a note to the judge saying they were concerned one of their fellow jurors could not follow the court's instructions. A few hours later, they sent a second note with a question about drug distribution. The jury went home for the day without a verdict. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty speaks to the BBC’s New York digital r...
Jun 30, 2025•6 min
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo has told the jury in Diddy’s trial that prosecutors have ‘badly, badly exaggerated’ the case against him. In closing arguments, Agnifilo said there was no way for Diddy to know that Cassie didn’t want to partake in the ‘freak-offs’, citing multiple explicit texts she sent Diddy. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty speaks to BBC New York correspondent Nada Tawfik about the day in court. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is on trial in New York, facing federal charges of s...
Jun 28, 2025•14 min
The lawyers for the prosecution have told the jury that Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is the ‘leader of a criminal enterprise’ who used violence and fear in ‘brutal crimes’. At the end of the prosecution’s closing arguments, Assistant US Attorney Christy Slavik said to jurors that it was time to hold Diddy accountable and for him to face justice. On Friday, the defence will present their closing arguments to the jury. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty speaks to BBC New York correspondent Nada Tawfik about the day...
Jun 26, 2025•28 min
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has told the judge that he will not testify in his trial. Diddy thanked Judge Subramanian and said he had made the decision himself not to take the stand. His defence team argued that prosecutors had failed to prove his alleged crimes. They presented and rested their case in under thirty mins. Both the prosecution and defence are expected to make closing arguments towards the end of the week. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty speaks to BBC New York digital reporter Sakshi Venkatraman...
Jun 24, 2025•13 min
Jurors have been watching explicit videos in court, with headphones on, as part of the prosecution’s final few days of evidence. They were also shown explicit text messages between Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, former partner ‘Jane’, sex workers and Diddy’s former chief of staff Kristina Khorram. Joseph Cerciello, a special agent for Homeland Security Investigations, continued his testimony and was cross examined by Diddy’s defence lawyer Teny Geragos. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty speaks to BBC New York dig...
Jun 23, 2025•11 min
Brendan Paul, who worked for Diddy as his personal assistant for two years, gave evidence. He said he worked 80-100 hours a week and he learnt a lot from his former boss, but now his feelings towards Diddy are 'complicated'. Joseph Cerciello, a special agent for Homeland Security Investigations, started his testimony. He's been reviewing thousands of pages of text messages, as well as phones and financial records. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty speaks to NPR's music reporter Isabella Gomez Sarmiento...
Jun 20, 2025•12 min
Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty gets the latest on the case from BBC New York correspondent Nada Tawfik and expert analysis with criminal defence attorney Shaun Kent. Court is cancelled on Wednesday because of a juror who has called in sick, delaying the prosecution’s end of evidence. Thursday is a public holiday in the US, so the trial of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs will resume on Friday. In the past few days, another juror has been dismissed, lawyers have been told off by the judge after confidential discus...
Jun 18, 2025•24 min
Judge Subramanian has reprimanded prosecution and defence lawyers after confidential information was leaked. Sealed proceedings are not supposed to ever be released to the public. Meanwhile DeLeassa Penland, a special agent with the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, has continued her evidence. The jury has been shown more text messages between Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and former partner Cassie Ventura. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty speaks to Katrina Kaufman, CBS law and politics...
Jun 17, 2025•9 min
It’s week six of Diddy’s trial and juror number six has been dismissed. Judge Subramanian said they had given inconsistent answers about their home address. An alternate juror has replaced them. Plus more phone recordings and text messages between Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and his former chief of staff Kristina Khorram have been shown to the jury. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty speaks to NPR music reporter Isabella Gomes-Sarmiento. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is on trial in New York, facing federal charges of sex t...
Jun 16, 2025•9 min
Rapper Kanye or Ye West paid a visit the courthouse today to support Diddy. He stayed for 40 minutes to watch proceedings. The judge is considering whether to dismiss one of the jurors after the prosecution called for their removal. The juror gave inconsistent answers about where they live. But while the prosecution has been asking for their dismissal, the defence team want him to stay. Jonathan Perez, a former personal assistant to Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, gave evidence about his interactions with ‘...
Jun 13, 2025•9 min
The former partner of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has finished her fifth and final day of testimony at his trial. ‘Jane’, who is using a pseudonym to protect her identity, was cross-examined by Diddy’s defence and asked more questions by the prosecution. She also told the court about a sex night in Las Vegas with another famous rapper and his girlfriend. She testified about ‘hotel nights’, Diddy paying her rent and lavish birthday parties, telling the court that she would have given all the gifts back if...
Jun 13, 2025•26 min
Defence lawyer Teny Geragos continued her cross-examination of ‘Jane’ with more focus the messages between her and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. ‘Jane’ is the pseudonym being used to protect the identity of Diddy’s ex-partner. She was asked about messages which suggest she was planning ‘hotel nights’ for her and Diddy, along with other men. Photos were also shown to the jury of ‘Jane’ and Diddy spending time together. Meanwhile the prosecution has asked for one of the jury members to be dismissed. Anoushk...
Jun 11, 2025•11 min
During the first day of cross-examination by Diddy’s defence lawyer, ‘Jane’ said she enjoyed taking care of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. His former partner is testifying under the pseudonym ‘Jane’ to protect her identity. She told the court she would bathe him and fall asleep with him while watching television after ‘hotel nights’ where she would have sex with male entertainers as Combs watched. ‘Jane’ also testified that she still loved him. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty speaks to NPR music reporter Isabel...
Jun 10, 2025•12 min
The former partner of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has testified about wanting to stop having sex with other men, and told the court about their arguments. ‘Jane’, who is using a pseudonym to protect her identity, told the court they had both been physically violent and that Diddy ‘punched, kicked and dragged her’. ‘Jane’ will be cross-examined by Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ defence team on Tuesday. The judge also gave the government prosecutors a day to respond to a motion for a mistrial that Diddy’s legal team ...
Jun 10, 2025•11 min
Jane - a pseudonym to protect her identity - tells the court Diddy is still paying her rent, even though she is a witness for the prosecution. The jury hears she didn’t want to take part in the so called “hotel nights” when she had a period, and sent Diddy a picture of a used tampon to prove this. She says this upset Combs, who accused her of going back on her offer to have a hotel session. Jane says she regularly suffered from pain and UTIs as a result of the ‘Hotel Nights’. She would usually t...
Jun 06, 2025•15 min
The judge in the trial of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has warned his lawyers that he may be removed from the courtroom, unless he stops trying to interact with the jury. Judge Subramanian said that he had seen Diddy nodding towards jurors. Meanwhile, one of Diddy’s former girlfriends, who is testifying under the pseudonym ‘Jane’, has started to give evidence. She told the court that they dated between 2021 and 2024. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty speaks to BBC New York correspondent Nada Tawfik about the wee...
Jun 05, 2025•24 min
Bryana ‘Bana’ Bongolan has testified about being held over a balcony by Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in 2016. She also told the court about her regular drug use with her friend Cassie Ventura. Ms Bongolan was questioned by Diddy’s defence lawyer about her memory of events. Frank Piazza, a forensic audio and video editor, also gave evidence about the CCTV video which showed Diddy assault Cassie in a hotel in 2016. He told the court that the footage had not been altered. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty speaks to...
Jun 05, 2025•16 min
Former hotel security officer Eddy Garcia has testified that he was given $100,000 after handing over CCTV video to Diddy, which showed the rapper attack Cassie Ventura in 2016. Garcia also told the court that he signed a non-disclosure agreement, which declared the video was the only one that existed. Also on Tuesday, Derek Ferguson, the former chief financial officer at Bad Boy Records testified about his time working for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. He told the court he never saw anyone commit acts of...
Jun 03, 2025•13 min
The cross-examination of Diddy’s former assistant has ended, with the woman using the pseudonym ‘Mia’ being asked about positive social media posts and messages she sent about Diddy. Last week, ‘Mia’ told the court she was sexually assaulted and raped by Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. Plus, Beverley Hills hotel staff member Sylvia Oken has testified about the oil damage and deep cleaning of rooms needed after Diddy’s stays. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty speaks to CBS News national correspondent Jerika Duncan ...
Jun 02, 2025•9 min
It's the case that's captured the attention of the world. Three people died and a fourth survived an induced coma after eating beef Wellington at a family lunch, hosted by Erin Patterson. Police allege the beef wellington contained poisonous mushrooms, but Erin Patterson says she's innocent. Now, the accused triple murderer is fighting the charges in a regional Victorian courthouse. Court reporter Kristian Silva, investigative reporter Rachael Brown and producer Stephen Stockwell are on the grou...
Jun 01, 2025•3 min
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ former employee, who has given evidence under the pseudonym ‘Mia’, has been questioned by Diddy’s defence lawyer. In court on Thursday, ‘Mia’ told the court she had been raped and sexually assaulted by Diddy. Today, defence lawyer Brian Steel suggested ‘Mia’ had made up sexual assault allegations. He questioned her about a scrapbook she had made for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs birthday, as well as videos and multiple Instagram posts she had made, which all painted Diddy in a glowing l...
May 30, 2025•14 min
A former employee of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, testifying anonymously as ‘Mia’, alleges he sexually assaulted her ‘on more than one occasion’. She also testified about feeling ‘terrified and trapped’ by Diddy. ‘Mia’ told the court that she was in charge of cleaning hotel rooms after ‘freak-offs’, describing them as ‘destroyed’. A warning that this episode contains descriptions of violence, sexual violence and rape. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty speaks to Nada Tawfik, the BBC’s New York correspondent and ...
May 30, 2025•28 min
Cassie Ventura’s former stylist has testified that he witnessed Sean 'Diddy' Combs being violent towards his ex-girlfriend. Deonte Nash told the court that he and Cassie hid 'too many times to count', because they didn’t want Combs to “attack” them. Plus, the judge presiding over Diddy’s federal trial rejected his defence team's bid for a mistrial. A warning that this episode contains descriptions of violence. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty speaks to Madeline Halpert, the BBC’s New York digital repo...
May 28, 2025•14 min
A former employee has testified that Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs threatened to 'go kill' Kid Cudi after finding out about the rapper’s relationship with Cassie Ventura. Capricorn Clark, who was an assistant to both Diddy and Cassie, also said she had her life repeatedly threatened by Sean Combs. In testimony last week, Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi alleged that Clark called him to say that her boss had broken into Mescudi’s home. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty speaks to the BBC’s New York correspondent, Nada Tawf...
May 28, 2025•14 min
Rapper Kid Cudi has told the trial of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs that his car was set on fire by a Molotov cocktail. He testified that it happened after Diddy found out about his relationship with Cassie Ventura. Also giving evidence on Thursday, Cassie Ventura’s make-up artist and friend, along with Diddy’s former executive assistant. A warning, this episode contains descriptions of violence and sexual violence. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty rounds up the week’s evidence with the BBC’s New York correspond...
May 23, 2025•28 min
A warning, this episode contains references to domestic abuse and drugs A Homeland Security agent gave further evidence on what was seized from Sean Combs’ Miami property during federal raids, including parts of a semi-automatic rifle, drugs including MDMA and ketamine, and lingerie, baby oil and high heels. Expert witness Dr Dawn Hughes testified as a clinical psychologist and outlined how trauma can affect memory and behaviour, stating that delayed PTSD and fragmented recall are common among a...
May 22, 2025•11 min
A warning, this episode contains descriptions of violence and graphic descriptions of sex. On Tuesday, Cassie’s mother Regina Ventura testified for the prosecution. She told the court that in 2011 she took out a loan to pay Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs $20,000, so he would not release explicit tapes of her daughter. He repaid the money shortly after. Exotic dancer Sharay Hayes, known as ‘The Punisher’, testified that he was hired to perform for Diddy and singer Cassie Ventura between eight and twelve time...
May 21, 2025•14 min
