Dateline: True Crime Weekly
Episode: Sean Combs: Witness alleges Combs held her over a 17th-floor balcony
Release Date: June 5, 2025
Host: Andrea Canning
Guest: Chloe Melas, NBC News Correspondent
Introduction: The Sean Combs Racketeering Trial
In this gripping episode of Dateline: True Crime Weekly, Andrea Canning delves deep into the high-profile racketeering trial of Sean Combs, popularly known as Diddy. Combs stands accused of multiple charges, including racketeering and conspiracy, to which he has pleaded not guilty. The trial has garnered intense media scrutiny, with numerous witnesses testifying against him. This episode focuses particularly on the harrowing testimony of Brianna Bongolin, a key witness whose allegations could significantly influence the outcome of the case.
Brianna Bongolin’s Testimony: A Shifting Narrative
Andrea Canning introduces Brianna Bongolin, described as a fashion and graphic designer and a close associate of Cassie Ventura (Cassie). According to Combs's defense, Brianna testified under an immunity agreement, allowing her to speak freely without legal repercussions. Chloe Melas provides insight into the gravity of Brianna’s statements:
“She testified about doing illegal drugs with Diddy and Cassie and about getting those drugs and sometimes getting paid back for them by the couple. Her demeanor was very subdued, very almost breathless at times. It was almost like a whisper.”
— Chloe Melas [02:46]
Brianna's testimony sheds light on Combs's alleged involvement in illegal activities, including drug distribution, which prosecutors aim to use as predicate crimes for racketeering.
Allegations of Violence: The Balcony Incident
One of the most shocking allegations came from Brianna, who described a terrifying incident where Sean Combs allegedly held her over a 17th-floor balcony in a rage:
“I was trying not to slip, pushing back on him because I was scared I was gonna fall... he was yelling at me, and he kept saying, you know, what the F you did? I had no idea what he was talking about and that he was holding me.”
— Brianna Bongolin [06:07]
This incident, detailed during her civil suit filed in November 2024, highlights the alleged violent tendencies of Combs. Brianna, standing at five foot one and weighing around 100 to 115 pounds, recounted how she was physically lifted and threatened, creating a palpable sense of fear and helplessness.
Defense’s Strategy: Undermining Credibility
Chloe Melas explains the defense team's tactical approach to discredit Brianna's testimony:
“The defense is trying to show that if you were on drugs, then how do you remember these incidents so clearly then? Right? Is this revisionist history?”
— Chloe Melas [11:15]
The defense focuses on Brianna and Cassie’s past drug use, suggesting that their testimony may be unreliable or distorted due to substance abuse. Additionally, they scrutinize inconsistencies between previous statements made to prosecutors and their current testimonies on the stand:
“They’re taking the transcripts of the meetings that these witnesses had with prosecutors leading up to their testimony, and they’re comparing the transcripts against what they’re saying on the stand. ... But you know, it's going to ultimately come down. What does the jury believe?"
— Chloe Melas [12:15]
This strategy aims to create doubt in the jury's mind regarding the authenticity and accuracy of the witnesses' accounts.
Surveillance Video Evidence: Questions Remain
A critical piece of evidence is the surveillance video capturing an altercation between Sean Combs and Cassie Ventura in 2016. However, significant questions surround the authenticity and chain of custody of this footage:
“We still don’t know who gave the copy to CNN. ... It could be Eddie who secretly held another copy, but we still don't have those answers because it didn’t come up in his testimony.”
— Chloe Melas [13:40]
The discrepancy in testimonies about who recorded and handled the video adds another layer of complexity to the case, leaving the prosecution to clarify the legitimacy and source of this crucial evidence.
Upcoming Witness: Jane Doe’s Testimony
As the trial progresses, the spotlight now shifts to Jane Doe, the final key witness expected to testify. Her identity remains protected under a pseudonym to ensure her safety and privacy:
“Tomorrow is going to be a huge day. ... We’re going to learn more as to why she doesn’t want her identity out there.”
— Chloe Melas [14:40]
Jane Doe's testimony is anticipated to provide further insights and potentially pivotal information that could sway the jury's perception of the case.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
As Dateline: True Crime Weekly continues to follow the Sean Combs trial, the case remains fraught with intense legal battles, emotional testimonies, and strategic maneuvers from both prosecution and defense teams. With only a few weeks left until the trial's conclusion, the stakes are higher than ever, leaving the audience eagerly awaiting the final verdict.
Notable Quotes:
- “I was trying not to slip, pushing back on him because I was scared I was gonna fall...” — Brianna Bongolin [06:07]
- “If you were on drugs, then how do you remember these incidents so clearly then?” — Chloe Melas [11:15]
- “We still don’t know who gave the copy to CNN...” — Chloe Melas [13:40]
Produced by: Franny Kelly
Senior Producers: Alison Orr and Liz Brown Kurloff
Original Music: Jesse McGinty
Executive Producer: Paul Ryan
Senior Executive Producer: Liz Cole
For the latest updates and in-depth analysis from the courtroom, subscribe to the NBC newsletter or visit nbcnews.com/ditty.