In wrenching testimony, Diddy’s ex-assistant says he sexually assaulted her

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Right this moment, the jurors in Diddy’s trial heard graphic testimony from a girl recognized solely by the pseudonym “Mia.” She’s considered one of Diddy’s former private assistants — and one of many 4 alleged victims on the coronary heart of the U.S. authorities’s indictment in opposition to the hip-hop mogul.

In excruciating element, Mia advised jurors that Diddy sexually assaulted her a number of instances and described a piece ambiance that was “chaotic” and “toxic” but in addition exhilarating. “Puff’s mood determined the environment,” she stated, utilizing one of many defendant’s earlier stage names. Mia stated Diddy typically handled her as an equal, different instances like “a worthless piece of crap.”

Diddy isn’t accused of intercourse trafficking Mia. However her allegations of pressured labor are a part of the federal government’s racketeering conspiracy cost in opposition to the rapper, who prosecutors say orchestrated a decade-spanning “criminal enterprise.” He’s pleaded not responsible to all prices.

Right here’s how in the present day’s testimony unfolded:

• Mia, who assisted Diddy between 2009 and 2017, recalled she as soon as labored for 5 days straight with out sleeping. The expertise took a toll: “I had a physical breakdown. … It felt like I was underwater, my equilibrium was off, blurred vision.” She wasn’t allowed to lock her bed room door when she traveled with Diddy or stayed at his houses, she stated.

• Mia stated she witnessed Diddy bodily assault and injure his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura on a number of events. “I’ve seen him crack her head open,” Mia stated, including that she couldn’t recall Cassie ever preventing again. If both girl did one thing with out Diddy’s permission, Mia stated, the punishments have been “unpredictable and terrifying.”
• Mia, testifying a few trip within the Turks and Caicos, stated she and Cassie barricaded themselves in a room as Diddy banged on the door. “Puff is going to kill me,” Cassie purportedly stated. They ran out a again door and went into the water. The sky turned black. Mia weighed whether or not it was “scarier” to “face Mother Nature or go back to Puff.”
• Within the remaining hour of the day’s proceedings, Mia detailed her sexual abuse allegations in opposition to Diddy. She stated he put his hand up her gown with out her consent; assaulted her on the underside of a bunk mattress someday in 2009 or 2010; and compelled her to carry out oral intercourse on him. She feared his “power,” “control” and capability for violence, she stated.

The view from inside

By Adam Reiss and Chloe Melas

Within the first half of the day, Mia answered questions calmly and quietly. However after the lunch break, Mia grew more and more emotional.

She seemed to be on the verge of hyperventilating and struggled to catch her breath as she described Diddy’s stormy relationship with Cassie. She broke down crying as she recounted Diddy forcing himself on her sexually. She wept on the stand as she defined how “terrified and trapped” she felt as a sufferer of his alleged assaults, talking barely above a whisper.

Mia regularly solid her eyes downward, letting her hair fall throughout her face. The hours of testimony seemed deeply painful for her.

What’s subsequent

Tomorrow: “Mia” is anticipated to return to the witness stand.

PSA: Each evening throughout Diddy’s trial, NBC’s “Dateline” will drop particular episodes of the “True Crime Weekly” podcast to get you on top of things. “Dateline” correspondent Andrea Canning chats with NBC Information’ Chloe Melas and particular visitors — proper in entrance of the courthouse. Listen here.