Diddy Seeks Mistrial, Claims Witness Lied About 2016 Balcony Incident

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal team has filed a motion for a mistrial in his federal sex trafficking case, alleging that prosecutors knowingly presented false testimony that could have swayed the jury’s judgment. The claims center on testimony about an alleged 2016 balcony incident involving Diddy and Cassie Ventura’s longtime friend, Bryana “Bana” Bongolan.

Controversial Testimony in the Spotlight

Bongolan took the stand last week and testified that Diddy had once dangled her off a 17th-floor balcony in Los Angeles back in September 2016. But Diddy’s defense team quickly raised red flags, accusing the government of relying on “demonstrably false” statements.

According to documents filed in the Southern District of New York on June 7, Bongolan struggled to recall key facts, such as what drugs she was allegedly on or even where Diddy and Cassie were during the incident. When confronted with travel and performance records suggesting Diddy was in New Jersey at the time, Bongolan responded vaguely and failed to confirm the timeline.

“This wasn’t just a witness with a foggy memory,” defense attorney Nicole Westmoreland argued. “This was knowingly using perjured testimony to manipulate the jury and introduce inadmissible evidence.”

Timeline Troubles and Drug Denials

During cross-examination, Westmoreland confronted Bongolan with documents suggesting that Diddy performed in New Jersey on Sept. 25, 2016, and appeared at a Macy’s event in New York the next day. When asked about these details, Bongolan said she couldn’t recall and denied knowing about the events.

Westmoreland pressed further, questioning the credibility of her injuries and the metadata tied to photos allegedly taken after the balcony incident. Bongolan’s replies were uncertain at best: “I can’t agree with you,” she said when asked whether Diddy caused the injuries.

When asked if she told prosecutors she was on MDMA, GHB, and cocaine the night of the alleged incident, Bongolan responded, “I didn’t say those words,” and added, “That’s a lot of drugs.”

The defense insists the government should have known her testimony couldn’t be accurate—pointing to travel records and inconsistent statements as proof.

Part of a Pattern?

This isn’t the first time Diddy’s lawyers have cried foul. A previous motion for mistrial accused prosecutors of misconduct related to fingerprint evidence allegedly destroyed by the LAPD in connection to Kid Cudi’s testimony. Cudi claimed Diddy broke into his home and may have been behind a mysterious car fire that destroyed his Porsche—both allegedly linked to Cudi’s relationship with Cassie.

Prosecutors have not publicly responded to the latest mistrial request, but the allegations add to a growing list of complaints from Diddy’s legal camp.

What’s at Stake

The case against Diddy is one of the most high-profile federal trials in recent memory. He faces charges including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force or fraud, and transporting individuals for prostitution. If convicted, the music mogul could face a minimum of 15 years in prison—and potentially a life sentence.

The trial has already included shocking testimony from multiple witnesses, who have accused Diddy of rape, physical assault, and drug-related coercion. Kid Cudi and Cassie Ventura have both taken the stand, describing years of abuse and intimidation.

With the trial expected to conclude before July 4, the outcome of the mistrial motion could reshape the course of the case—and Diddy’s future.