Sean Combs: "Jane" sobs through her testimony.

Summary

Dateline NBC Podcast Summary

Episode: Sean Combs: "Jane" sobs through her testimony
Release Date: June 7, 2025
Host/Author: NBC News
Description: Current and classic episodes featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries, and in-depth investigations.

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Introduction

In this riveting episode of Dateline NBC's "On Trial" series, host Andrea Canning delves deep into the ongoing racketeering trial of Sean Combs, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The episode primarily focuses on the emotional and graphic testimony of a prosecution witness, anonymized as "Jane," shedding light on alleged illicit activities orchestrated by Combs.

Testimony of Jane

Timestamp [00:00 - 05:07]

Jane, a key prosecution witness, took the stand to provide harrowing accounts of her interactions with Sean Combs. Under intense emotional distress, she recounted how Combs indulged in fantasies involving her and orchestrated encounters with other men. Her testimony revealed that she complied with these demands weekly for approximately a year, despite her personal objections.

• Emotional Breakdown: By [00:50], Jane was visibly sobbing as she testified. She struggled to articulate why she continued to engage in these activities, despite expressing her reluctance.

• Description of Encounters: Jane described these encounters, termed as "freak offs" by the prosecution witness, as prolonged events lasting up to three and a half days with no sleep. She admitted to consuming significant amounts of ecstasy to stay awake during these sessions.

• Involvement of Escorts: Multiple escorts were involved in these orchestrated events, many sourced from a company named "Cowboys for Angels." Jane highlighted the physical and emotional toll these repeated encounters took on her, often leaving her exhausted and sore.

Prosecution’s Case

Timestamp [05:07 - 09:17]

The prosecution painted a grim picture of a RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) conspiracy orchestrated by Combs, involving various assistants like Brendan and Frank, who facilitated the setup of hotel rooms for these illicit activities.

• Drug Trafficking: Christina Corum, Combs' Chief of Staff, was implicated as a drug mule responsible for transporting ecstasy from California to Miami, further solidifying the RICO charges.

• Communication Evidence: Jane presented a 2023 text message to Combs stating, "I wish we could take this back to when we first started dating. One night of fun just turned into the entirety of our relationship. My heart is breaking." This message mirrors similar sentiments expressed by another witness, Cassie Ventura.

Defense’s Potential Strategies

Timestamp [09:17 - 12:02]

While the defense has not formally charged anyone other than Combs, they are poised to challenge the credibility and voluntariness of Jane's testimony.

• Questioning Consent: The defense may argue that Jane willingly participated in these activities without coercion, highlighting instances where she expressed a desire to end the encounters yet continued due to personal feelings for Combs.

• Challenging Evidence: With no physical restraints mentioned, the defense might assert that Jane had the autonomy to leave if she wished, thus disputing claims of involuntary participation.

Courtroom Dynamics

Timestamp [12:02 - 13:00]

The courtroom atmosphere remains tense, with jurors exhibiting signs of fatigue due to the repetitive nature of testimonies. However, Jane's emotional testimony appears to have captivated the attention of those present.

• Juror Reactions: While some jurors showed signs of boredom during earlier testimonies, Jane's account elicited noticeable attention, with jurors taking notes and maintaining focus.

• Media and Public Interest: The trial has attracted significant public and media scrutiny, with online sleuths attempting to uncover the identities of anonymous victims. Despite judicial orders to protect these individuals, enforcement remains challenging amidst rampant online speculation.

Media and Public Interest

Timestamp [10:00 - 12:12]

The fascination with Sean Combs' lifestyle has led to intense media interest in the trial, particularly concerning the identities of the alleged victims.

• Online Sleuthing: In the age of digital information, numerous bloggers and streamers are actively trying to reveal the identities of the anonymous victims, complicating the prosecution's efforts to protect their confidentiality.

• Judicial Challenges: The judge is grappling with enforcing privacy measures, especially against online entities that reside outside the courthouse's physical jurisdiction. Discussions around implementing a gag order are ongoing, but enforcement remains problematic.

Legal Proceedings and Next Steps

Timestamp [12:12 - End]

As the trial progresses, Jane’s testimony is expected to continue being pivotal to the prosecution’s case over the next three days. Her detailed accounts are essential in establishing the scope of the alleged racketeering activities orchestrated by Combs.

• Upcoming Testimonies: Jane is set to testify for an additional three days, potentially delving deeper into the operations and individuals involved in the RICO conspiracy.

• Judicial Oversight: The court remains vigilant in preventing the exposure of victim identities, balancing the public’s right to know with the protection of vulnerable individuals.

Notable Quotes

• Andrea Canning [00:00]: "In this episode, we're going to be talking about some graphic details and harrowing subject matter this morning."

• Unnamed Prosecution Witness [02:13]: "It's [freak offs]. It's just a different name for them. On a short night, it would be a 12-hour hotel night."

• Jane’s Text [04:05]: "I wish we could take this back to when we first started dating. One night of fun just turned into the entirety of our relationship. My heart is breaking."

• Unnamed Prosecution Witness [05:07]: "Jane found them cute. She found them charming. She found them handsome."

• Chloe Melas [07:39]: "Are they getting fatigued at all?"

• Unnamed Prosecution Witness [08:23]: "She would cook for him, she would put on his favorite show, and she would just sort of, like, flip back to being in this loving relationship that she wanted."

Conclusion

This episode of Dateline NBC provides an intense and comprehensive look into the Sean Combs racketeering trial, highlighting the emotional and complex testimonies that form the crux of the prosecution's case. With compelling narratives and a focus on both the human and legal aspects, the episode offers listeners a thorough understanding of the ongoing legal battle and its broader implications.

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Note: For those interested in following the latest developments and in-depth analysis from the courtroom, subscribing to Dateline Premium or visiting DatelinePremium.com is recommended.

Transcript

[Andrea Canning]

This is On Trial, a special series from Dateline True Crime Weekly, bringing you daily coverage from the Sean Combs racketeering trial. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him. I'm Andrea Canning and it's Friday, June 6th. Just a heads up. In this episode, we're going to be talking about some graphic details and harrowing subject matter this morning. The prosecution witness who was testifying under the pseudonym Jane to protect her identity, took the stand again. By 9:30, she was sobbing. She told the jury that Sean Combs had a fantasy watching her have sex with other men and that she obliged him on a weekly basis for about a year. She wept as she tried to explain why she kept doing it, even though she testified that she didn't want to. NBC News correspondent Chloe Melas has been.

[Chloe Melas]

In the courtroom today, and she stepped.

[Andrea Canning]

Out to give us an update.

[Chloe Melas]

Hey, Chloe.

[Unnamed Prosecution Witness]

Hey, Andrea.

[Chloe Melas]

So the testimony was pretty rough to listen to. Almost a repeat of Cassie Ventura's testimony.

[Unnamed Prosecution Witness]

I would say it was just as emotional. Jane was crying from almost the moment that she got on the stand. She held this Kleenex the whole time. And Sean Combs just stared at her as she walked down the aisle of the courtroom and made her way to the standard. He just really did not take his eyes off of her.

[Chloe Melas]

So she gives this description of. I realize she's not using the term freak offs, but it sounds similar to freak offs. And she talks about how Shawn is kind of directing these sexual encounters with her and other men.

[Unnamed Prosecution Witness]

So they are freak offs. It's just a different name for them. On a short night, it would be a 12 hour hotel night. And then at the longest it would be, it was three and a half days. And she testified that this would go on with no sleep and she was taking copious amounts of drugs and mainly ecstasy to keep her awake.

[Chloe Melas]

Hmm. So what was different about how she describes these sexual encounters versus what we heard from Cassie?

[Unnamed Prosecution Witness]

There would be multiple escorts on one night that Combs would have escort after escort. Just this revolving door show up. And she testified that sometimes she would break down and cry because it was just so difficult and she would be so tired and her body would be incredibly sore. When Cassie Ventura was testifying, I vividly remember her talking about specific escorts from this company called Cowboys for Angels. And that's what we heard during Jane's testimony today as well, that it was the same site that they would get these escorts from.

[Chloe Melas]

Am I getting this right? Cowboys for Angels, Is that what it's called?

[Unnamed Prosecution Witness]

Yes. So Cowboys for Angels is a website.

[Chloe Melas]

I just looked up, just curious. Cowboys for Angels. And that's the number four elite, straight male companionship for the discerning woman. Luxurious, professional, discreet, operating nationwide since 2008.

[Unnamed Prosecution Witness]

It's really unbelievable, though, when you think about it, because other than, I believe, two counties, Andrea, in all of the United States, prostitution is illegal, in my opinion. Today, the prosecution has, without a doubt, met the bar of transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs faces two of those counts. They have had escorts take the stand, and now they have Jane's testimony of these escorts traveling all across the country, even internationally. So if the jury didn't believe Cassie, I think that Jane really drove that home for the prosecution.

[Chloe Melas]

The prosecution asked Jane about a 2023 text she sent to Combs, and it's reminiscent of Cassie's texts and testimony.

[Unnamed Prosecution Witness]

It is. She read this while she was on the stand. I wish we could take this back to when we first started dating. One night of fun just turned into the entirety of our relationship. My heart is breaking. And this is one of many text messages that have been put forth as evidence today by the prosecution, also in that 2023 text.

[Chloe Melas]

And Jane states pretty clearly that she doesn't want to keep taking part in these encounters.

[Unnamed Prosecution Witness]

It's incredibly strong. So I'll read you what we've written down. You know, we're taking this all shorthand, you know, like, we're taking notes during her. Her testimony, so, you know, it's not told later that we get the transcripts, but essentially it says that she finds it all dark and sleazy and makes her feel disgusted with herself and that she. She says it's the only reason you have me around and why you pay for my house. I don't want to feel obligated to perform and fear losing you. I don't want to feel like that anymore. I just want to talk like adults and figure out where we go from here.

[Chloe Melas]

It really sounds like part of her probably wants to be with him and she loves him. And then part of her also doesn't want to lose. Sort of the perks, right, that go along with him. Is that fair?

[Unnamed Prosecution Witness]

That is fair. And this, I think, Andrea, is one of the more complicated parts that the jury is going to have to wrestle with because you have Jane testifying that she actually liked the majority of these escorts. She found them cute. She found them charming. She found them handsome. There were even ones that she picked out herself and hired. But on the other hand, she says that she didn't want to do it. That she only performed in these hotel nights because she wanted to please Combs, but that the second that they left, she would be so happy to cuddle with Combs, lay with him, she would cook for him, she would put on his favorite show, and she would just sort of, like, flip back to being in this loving relationship that she wanted. And I think it might be hard for some of the jurors to be able to. To understand how she could compartmentalize these horrors and just immediately go back into a relationship with him.

[Chloe Melas]

Yeah, I think it's also going to be hard for the jurors to differentiate between, you know, was Jane just trying to please Diddy or was she forced to do this?

[Unnamed Prosecution Witness]

There were several times in which she testified to Maureen Comey, the lead prosecutor, that she didn't know why she hired one of these escorts or why she sent a text message to one named Cabral inviting him to go on a trip with them. You know, she didn't have a good answer. Right. And there are text exchanges she read on the stand during her testimony today, Andrea, in which she tells Combs, I don't want to do this anymore. You know, I. I don't. I don't want to do a hotel night tonight. And he just says, okay, cool. So it's. How will the prosecution be able to prove sex trafficking with just her word? You know, because one could argue, well, you weren't handcuffed physically. Couldn't you have walked out the door? So I think that we'll see a strong cross examination by. By Combs's defense team, and you see them vigorously writing notes. Andrea, are the jurors, you know, as.

[Chloe Melas]

You'Re telling me this story, it's all very interesting, but I'm thinking to myself, the jurors have been there for a long time now. They're hearing a lot of the same type of testimony. Are they getting fatigued at all?

[Unnamed Prosecution Witness]

Several were yawning, which sounds horrible, but it's understandable. And, you know, some over the last week or so were rolling their eyes during Mia's testimony, but really during Jane's, it looks as though everyone's paying attention. Some are taking notes.

[Chloe Melas]

Chloe, break it down for us as best you can about how Jane fits into this RICO conspiracy case, what her testimony could do to bolster the prosecution's case.

[Unnamed Prosecution Witness]

Sure. So she talks about several assistants, one of which is Brendan, another one named Frank, setting up those hotel rooms that goes towards RICO conspiracy. She testified about Combs Chief of Staff KK Christina Corum, who was having her Go pick up drugs in California, which was a wild part of Jane's testimony today that she was a drug mule and would bring Ecstasy from California to Miami in her suitcase. So that goes towards RICO conspiracy. You also have Jess. Who is Jess? She's some sort of a travel agent. Did she work in house for any of Combs's enterprise? Was she a third party travel agent, you know, on Expedia who had no idea what who these people were or did she know? But you do have some of the people that worked for Combs being implicated here.

[Chloe Melas]

Yeah. And to be clear, no one other than Combs has been charged with any crimes in connection to this case. And Christina Coram gave a statement to Rolling Stone back in March saying, I have never condoned or aided and abetted the sexual assault of anyone, nor have I ever drugged anyone.

[Unnamed Prosecution Witness]

Correct.

[Andrea Canning]

When we come back this afternoon, Jane's attorney asked to address the court. She said there are media outlets trying to discover and report her client's identity. What the judge had to say about that after the break. Welcome back, everybody.

[Chloe Melas]

Chloe, let's talk about people trying to figure out who the two anonymous victims are in this case. It's obvious that people are fascinated by Sean Combs's celebrity and lifestyle and the people around him. Is it a surprise that in this era of online sleuthing that people would be trying to pull back the curtain?

[Unnamed Prosecution Witness]

It's not. But the judge is very aware in trying to decide what he's gonna do about it. This is always the risk. There are members of the public in the courthouse. It is their right. And then when you go to the overflow room, which is a courtroom on another floor with TVs, there's all sorts of people, from homeless people who just want to have some air conditioning and arrest to other people that are fascinated by all of this, who flew in from other states. One guy is here from Canada just, just to listen. I mean, there is a lot of support for Combs on social, of people that are following this trial. And several of the bloggers and streamers out here, you know, they're very skeptical of some of the individuals that are testifying. I think if we didn't have these restrictions on us as journalists, we could talk a lot more about Mia and about Jane. Right. Because obviously as journalists, we know who they are, we know their backstory, and we could provide more context. And I think that context is important and the jurors aren't going to get that.

[Chloe Melas]

Did the prosecution really think they could keep victims number two and four a secret, these alleged victims. I mean, with Mia number four, both the prosecution and the defense asked her many questions about her Instagram account. And Combs has been fairly public about the women in his life over the years.

[Unnamed Prosecution Witness]

I think it's easier to keep Jane's identity under wraps because Combs did date so many different women. And actually some of the theories that have been thrown out to me, I couldn't believe how far off people were with their guesses. But when it came to Mia, that's more complicated because she worked at Combs Co.

[Chloe Melas]

The judge has asked not only the press but everybody in the courtroom and the overflow rooms to help protect these women. But you know, what kind of enforcement power does the judge have?

[Unnamed Prosecution Witness]

There's a lot of talk today of a potential gag order. But even if somebody does violate a gag order, some of these streamers who are revealing these women's identities don't even live here. They're not even going to this courthouse. So how exactly will they be reprimanded? I also want to point out that the streamers that the judge said, you know, clear them out of the front of the courthouse. They're back. I'm staring at them right now. So clearly they're not deterred.

[Chloe Melas]

Okay. Chloe, thank you very much for this end of the week update. We're going to hear more from Jane on Monday, is that correct?

[Unnamed Prosecution Witness]

Absolutely. We could see her on the stand for three more days.

[Chloe Melas]

All right. Enjoy your weekend. To you and to everyone else, have a good weekend.

[Unnamed Prosecution Witness]

Thanks so much.

[Chloe Melas]

Thanks for listening.

[Andrea Canning]

We'll be back with a new episode on Monday. If you want to read the latest developments and analysis from inside the courtroom, check out the NBC newsletter. Diddy ON trial go to nbcnews.com diddy to find that. On Trial is produced by Franny Kelly with help from the Dateline True Crime Weekly team. Our our senior producers are Alison Orr and Liz Brown Kurloff. Original Music by Jesse McGinty Paul Ryan is executive producer and Liz Cole is senior executive producer of Dateline.