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Today’s proceedings largely focused on revisiting the March 2016 incident involving Diddy’s assault on Casandra Ventura at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles. The incident, which was captured by security cameras, was presented to the jury at the trial’s commencement. Eddy Garcia, the head of the hotel’s security, testified that Diddy and his entourage were determined to retrieve the exclusive copy of the footage and ensure it remained confidential. According to Garcia, he accepted a $100,000 bribe, shared with the hotel’s security personnel, in return for signing a nondisclosure agreement promising his silence and the elimination of the video evidence.
Here’s what else to know about today’s testimony:
- Garcia testified that he was so “nervous” about the NDA that he didn’t read it all before he signed it. Diddy presented stacks of cash in a brown paper bag, added Garcia, who said he bought a used car with his $30,000 share.
- Garcia also said he wasn’t initially truthful to police when he was asked about the assault. On cross-examination, the defense pointed out the NDA didn’t stop Garcia from speaking about it in legal proceedings, a line of questioning presumably intended to undermine the government’s potential claim of obstruction of justice.
- After Garcia, Derek Ferguson, the former chief financial officer of Bad Boy Entertainment, took the stand to discuss the structure of Diddy’s businesses and how money flowed.
🔎 The view from inside
By am Reiss and Jing Feng
The courtroom’s atmosphere was disturbed for the first time this trial when a spectator caused a disruption, leading U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian to instruct court marshals to “escort her out immediately.”
The uproar began before the jury was seated and Garcia took the stand. At first, both prosecutors and the defense team were discussing with Subramanian exhibits in the trial and whether to offer evidence of Diddy’s jail calls. Prosecutors also complained to Subramanian that a person who had been in the courtroom Monday broadcast on YouTube the real identity of a government witness, who went by the pseudonym “Mia” when she testified.
Suddenly, a woman in the courtroom began shouting in defense of Diddy, including that “it’s not right what they’re doing to him” and “Diddy’s innocent.” She was quickly removed.
Prosecutors later told Subramanian that the true name and identity of “Mia” were being reported and asked for him to ban the outlet that made them public from the court. He said he would consider such a court order.
🗓️ What’s next
Tomorrow: Frank Piazza, a forensic video expert, and Bryana Bangolan, who alleges that Diddy dangled her over an apartment balcony, may testify.
PSA: Every night during Diddy’s trial, NBC’s “Dateline” will drop special episodes of the “True Crime Weekly” podcast to get you up to speed. “Dateline” correspondent Andrea Canning chats with NBC News’ Chloe Melas and special guests — right in front of the courthouse. Listen here. 🎧
