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The trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs continued Thursday in a Manhattan federal court, featuring key testimonies from multiple witnesses, including a digital forensics analyst and an accuser known by the pseudonym "Jane." Judge Arun Subramanian issued a stern warning to the defense, emphasizing that Combs could be excluded from the courtroom if he interacted with the jury again, after observing Combs nodding at jurors during testimonies.

Federal prosecutors allege that Combs abused, threatened, and coerced women for decades, orchestrating marathon sexual encounters known as "freak offs." These acts were allegedly concealed using Combs's extensive business empire, along with threats involving guns, kidnapping, and arson. The 55-year-old music mogul is facing five serious charges, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. Combs has pled not guilty, but a conviction could result in a life sentence.

Thursday's testimony from Bryana Bongolan, a friend of Combs's ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, concluded before the jury took a lunch break. After their departure, Judge Subramanian reiterated that Combs must refrain from any actions that could influence the jury. Failure to comply could result in Combs’s exclusion from the courtroom, posing a significant challenge for his defense team and possibly influencing the jury's perception of his absence.

"Jane," one of Combs's accusers, commenced her testimony on the same day. Identified as "Victim-2" in the indictment, Jane claimed she was forced to participate in the "freak offs" orchestrated by Combs. She recounted meeting Combs during a trip to Miami in late 2020 and later engaging in a private relationship with him. Jane detailed an initially consensual relationship, which took a dark turn in May 2021 when she was allegedly coerced into having sex with another man.

Jane testified that Combs arranged for these encounters to satisfy his own desires, often under the threat of cutting off financial support. Between May 2021 and October 2023, these encounters, termed "debauchery" or "hotel nights," occurred across multiple cities, sometimes lasting over 24 hours. Combs allegedly employed his chief of staff, travel agent, and assistants to coordinate these events.

Before Jane took the stand, the judge ensured her privacy would be protected, instructing the courtroom not to document her personal information. Jane's testimony is set to continue at 9 a.m. Friday, with Prosecutor Maurene Comey aiming to complete the direct examination by Monday.

In other testimonies, Bongolan provided harrowing details of a 2016 altercation in which she was allegedly held over a balcony by Combs before being slammed into furniture. Despite admitting to continued socializing with Combs, Bongolan described efforts to maintain distance from him. Bongolan was granted immunity for her testimony after invoking her Fifth Amendment rights.

The defense team sought to question Bongolan's credibility by highlighting inconsistencies between her statements to prosecutors and a lawsuit she filed against Combs. Nonetheless, her testimony about the physical altercation and subsequent night terrors paints a troubling picture of the events.

As the trial progresses, the testimonies are expected to illuminate the broader allegations of a criminal enterprise operated by Combs, designed to facilitate these "freak offs" at his whim. The outcome of the trial could have lasting implications for the music mogul, depending on the jury's interpretation of the compelling and, at times, conflicting testimonies.