Introduction to the Case
A forensic audio and video editor and a long-time close friend of Cassie Ventura, the ex-partner of Sean "Diddy" Combs, recently testified in court. The editor, Frank Piazza, worked with the Feds on the case and examined cell phone videos, surveillance material, and "sex videos." Cassie Ventura is a central figure in the case against Combs, who faces charges of sex trafficking and blackmail.
Combs’ Denial of Misconduct
Combs has denied any wrongdoing and refused to plead guilty to the charges against him. He faces a five-point charge that includes sex trafficking and blackmail. Despite the serious allegations, Combs maintains his innocence and claims that he is not guilty of any misconduct.
Expert Testimony
Frank Piazza, the forensic audio and video editor, testified that he evaluated cell phone video, surveillance material from the Intercontinental Hotel in LA, and "sex videos" as part of his work on the case. He assured the court that the video material was not manually altered and that he had slowed down the footage in real-time due to a technical issue. Piazza also analyzed 10 "sex videos" recorded between 2012 and 2014, which were retrieved from Combs’ laptop and Ventura’s laptop.
Analysis of Video Evidence
Piazza put together video clips to "track the movement of people within the events" and found no signs of manipulation. The video footage shown to the jury was a reliable representation of what took place in the hotel corridor in December 2016. He also explained that the time stamps on the videos were not inaccurate, but rather, the movement-activated cameras only update the timestamp with different movements.
Testimony from Bryana Bongolan
Bryana Bongolan, a friend of Cassie Ventura, also testified in court. She described a fight with Combs in 2016, where he allegedly held her over a 17-story balcony. Bongolan claimed that Combs threw her onto the balcony furniture, causing her injuries. She also stated that she still suffers from nightmares and paranoia due to the incident.
Combs’ Threats and Abuse
Bongolan also testified that Combs threatened her life when she accompanied Ventura on a photo shoot in 2016. She claimed that Combs said something like, "I’m the devil, and I could kill you." Additionally, Bongolan discussed her long-term friendship with Ventura and their history of drug use, including taking cocaine, percocet, and marijuana blunts laced with ketamine.
Court Proceedings
The court proceedings continued on Wednesday, with the defense team grilling Bongolan about her drug use and her relationship with Ventura. The trial is ongoing, with the defense team pushing for additional time to present their case. Finally, the defense team was granted a small victory when the judge allowed them to meet in court until 6 p.m. to discuss their strategy. The trial is set to resume on Thursday at 11 a.m.
