The Sean “Diddy” Combs trial has taken the country by storm, as the former hip-hop icon faces major allegations and charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering. The first few weeks brought disturbing allegations against Combs, and Week 4 has not slowed down the onslaught. Multiple people took the stand for the prosecution to continue their testimony of the history of physical and sexual abuse they had witnessed, but one was the brunt of the focus for both sides. As the evidence stacks, the defense has an even greater mountain to climb to get an acquittal. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison.
Diddy Trial Week 4 Piles On Horrifying Details
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial is heading into week five, with week 4 having set up more horrifying details. The third week of testimony, following a week of jury selection, saw multiple witnesses take the stand once again. There were multiple highly contentious moments between prosecution witnesses and the defense attorneys, none more so than the one that took place Friday, while Combs’ ex-assistant Mia faced cross-examination.
Mia testified for the prosecution throughout the week. She initially stated that her interactions and emotional abuse from “Puff” gave her severe PTSD. “I would have to leave (work) because I would be triggered by very normal situations with an overwhelming fear of being in trouble… all of those feelings of getting in trouble come flooding back.” She also spoke about an opportunity she had pitching a show partially based on her job as an assistant for Diddy to ABC. When angry, he would threaten to suspend or fire her, and also stated he would take the show opportunity away from her.
Mia spoke about attempts she made to escape Diddy’s emotional control. One time, she was suspended for simply laying out workout clothes he did not like. Combs also yelled at her for counting money from his safe too slowly. “He got really irate with me,” Mia said. He ordered her to leave. “You better learn to walk on water like Jesus did.” When the crew tried to return her to shore, Combs ordered them to bring her back. “I just wanted to run and hide and figure out a way out of St. Bart’s, to get away from him,” she said. She was suspended for “insubordination”.
Even after she left her role for Diddy, he and his company continued to try and reach out to her, including in 2023 when Cassie’s civil lawsuit came about. She felt they were trying to intimidate her into staying quiet. Mia also said that she hired an employment lawyer to attempt to get a settlement from Combs, to the tune of $10 million. She only got $400,000, with much of that going to pay her attorneys. She brought up the violence and some emotional issues, but never mentioned the sexual assault allegations, saying she had planned to take those “to her grave”.
Diddy’s Defense Team Goes On Offense
With the battle becoming more and more difficult for the defense, Diddy’s lawyers were forced to put on a full-court press to discredit Mia’s testimony. This started with attorney Brian Steel bringing up a collection of social media posts. As USA Today shared, “One was a social media post for Combs’ 45th birthday, where she wrote, ‘Happy birthday, Puff Daddy. Thank you for being the good kind of crazy,’ adding that she loved him with all her heart. Steel remarked that this was five years after Combs first allegedly sexually assaulted her.” He also seemed to imply that her having positive posts makes her sexual assault allegations a lie.
Mia tried to explain the rollercoaster of emotions she went through with Diddy. “When the highs were high and the goods were good, you tried so hard to stay in that… Of course, I want to highlight the highs. I don’t think people wrote about the bad stuff on Instagram back then. It was a very confusing cycle of ups and downs and violence… That’s how I write to the people in my life,” Mia said. Steel followed up with a question, “Including the person you’re terrified of?” Mia answered directly, “Especially the person I’m terrified of.” Steel also brought up multiple of her other posts praising her former boss.
Mia also explained that there were good moments in the relationship with Diddy, where he appeared to be her “best friend”, which is what she had to lean on to get through her trauma. While Steel questioned how she could be best friends with someone who physically, emotionally, and sexually abused her, she said, “I guess we can ask my therapist.” The attorney followed up, “How do you have a good experience with a man who terrorized you?” Steel asked. “It’s easy,” Mia said, “because the dynamics would shift.”
Steel mentioned the fact that Mia had met with the prosecution 27 times before trial, implying she was heavily coached against Diddy. He also highlighted that Mia told the prosecution she could not remember how many times Diddy sexually assaulted her. USA Today outlined one exchange between Mia and Brian Steel.
“I don’t know how to explain it. I was young and manipulated. There were no streaming documentaries, no one was standing up,” Mia said. Steel then asked, “Why did you need someone else saying that it was wrong when Mr. Combs made you feel, according to your testimony, that he would kill you?” Mia responded, “My logic brain and my trauma brain: My trauma brain wins all the time.”
Mia called herself a rule follower and a people pleaser: “You make excuses for people. I tend to take a lot more than normal people,” she said. Steel then asked, “Mia, you’re not a weak person, are you?” to which she responded, “I’m not sure.”
By far the most contentious, and probably most eye-popping, exchange came when Steel implied Mia is not a victim at all. Steel asked, “Isn’t it true that Mr. Combs never had forcible, sexual misconduct with you?” Mia could not have been more stern and clear in her response, “I have not lied to anyone at all.” Steel pushed back. “Isn’t it true that it never happened as many times as you told this jury?” Mia replied, “Everything I’ve said in this courtroom is true.” Steel refused to let up, “What if you’re not a victim of sexual assault? Then what?” An immediate objection by the prosecution was sustained.
It is clear the direction that Diddy’s defense attorneys plan to take. They need to do anything they can to discredit the witnesses. Time will tell if it will work, although being too tough on witnesses describing disturbing and emotional interactions could act to further discourage the jurors. As the trial continues into June, additional updates will be given on major occurrences.
