****

The judge overseeing Sean "Diddy" Combs' criminal trial admonished the music mogul for making distracting gestures towards the jury. Judge Arun Subramanian described the behavior as "absolutely unacceptable" after observing Combs nodding vigorously and making faces, particularly during the cross-examination of Bryana Bongolan, a friend of Combs' ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. Combs' attorneys assured the judge such actions would not be repeated.

The high-profile trial, in which Combs faces charges including sex trafficking and a racketeering conspiracy, has gripped the court with dramatic testimonies. Among the witnesses was a woman identified by the pseudonym "Jane," who dated Combs between 2021 and his 2024 arrest. Jane recounted the early days of their relationship as thrilling, with trips to Miami, Turks and Caicos, and The Bahamas, leaving her "head over heels."

However, Jane testified that the relationship soon took a dark turn when Combs introduced her to "hotel nights," wherein he hired an escort to watch her engage in sexual acts with another man, beginning in May 2021. Despite her initial reluctance, Jane felt pressured to continue these encounters out of love and a desire to please Combs. She noted the increasing demands and her frustration as the relationship progressed. By April 2023, Combs was paying $10,000 per month for her housing, which Jane indicated came with an implicit obligation to maintain their relationship.

Jane also testified about her drug use during their time together, including substances like ecstasy, cocaine, and ketamine, which she claimed Combs provided from the outset of their relationship. Her testimony is set to continue, with cross-examination by the defense forthcoming.

Bryana Bongolan also provided emotional testimony, accusing Combs of throwing her into furniture and lifting her onto the rail of a balcony during a threatening altercation, resulting in bruises and injuries. Defense attorney Nicole Westmoreland questioned Bongolan's credibility, pointing out inconsistencies in her accounts and suggesting that Combs was performing at a concert in New Jersey and attending events in New York on the dates in question.

The trial took another twist when prosecutors introduced a text message from Cassie Ventura's phone dated 30 September 2016, which detailed an incident in which Combs allegedly choked Bongolan and held her off a balcony. The contentious court proceedings continue, with both sides presenting evidence and testimonies that paint a complex and conflicting picture of the events in question.