Madison R. Smyser

Trial 12025 Federal TrialMay 5, 2025 – Jul 2, 2025

Madison R. Smyser was a prosecution attorney who conducted direct examinations of Gerard Gannon, Frederic Zemmour, and Mia, then redirected Mia after cross-examination. She also participated in evidentiary and final-instruction proceedings.

Day 9

May 16, 2025

RecrossCasandra Ventura — RecrossCasandra VenturaAnna M. Estevao5lines spoken

Summary

Ventura confirmed the timing of an InterContinental settlement, and the court clarified the scope of anticipated Dawn Richard testimony.

DirectYasin Binda — DirectYasin BindaMadison R. Smyser164lines spoken

Summary

HSI Agent Yasin Binda described the Park Hyatt search, evidence documentation, and items recovered from room 2115.

CrossYasin Binda — CrossYasin BindaTeny R. Geragos8lines spoken

Summary

Defense questioned Binda about the Park Hyatt search and the basis for treating $9,000 as bulk cash; the court allowed limited inquiry.

sidebarQuestioning About $9,000 CashDuring Yasin Binda — Cross1line spoken

Summary

Counsel disputed whether questioning about $9,000 in cash suggested criminal conduct and was relevant to the case.

Day 11

May 20, 2025

RecrossSharay Dashawn Hayes — RecrossSharay Dashawn HayesXavier R. Donaldson5lines spoken

Summary

Hayes qualified his interpretation of Ventura's engagement during one encounter, and the court resolved that upcoming physical evidence would be displayed rather than passed among jurors.

sidebarPhysical Evidence DisplayDuring Sharay Dashawn Hayes — Recross3lines spoken

Summary

The parties discussed whether jurors should handle physical evidence, with the government stating it would display items rather than pass them out.

DirectGerard Gannon — DirectGerard GannonMadison R. Smyser220lines spoken

Summary

HSI agent Gerard Gannon described the 2 Star Island search, evidence-handling procedures, and firearm-related items recovered from a closet; the court admitted numerous search exhibits.

Day 12

May 21, 2025

DirectGerard Gannon — DirectGerard GannonMadison R. Smyser118lines spoken

Summary

Gannon identified search evidence from 2 Star Island, including stipulated drug-analysis items, cellphones, baby oil and lubricant, and a .45-caliber handgun with ammunition; the court admitted multiple exhibits.

CrossGerard Gannon — CrossGerard GannonTeny R. Geragos22lines spoken

Summary

Gannon's cross-examination examined the planning and documentation of the 2 Star Island search, including firearms-related photographs and the limits of the agent's knowledge.

sidebarSearch-Warrant Execution QuestioningDuring Gerard Gannon — Cross1line spoken

Summary

At sidebar, the defense sought to question the manner of the search-warrant execution and whether the family and Mr. Combs were away, while the government objected to family-specific questioning as prejudicial.

Day 13

May 22, 2025

DirectFrederic Zemmour — DirectFrederic ZemmourMadison R. Smyser97lines spoken

Summary

Hotel manager Frederic Zemmour authenticated L'Ermitage records and explained profile changes, reservation data, and guest notes associated with Sean Combs.

Day 15

May 28, 2025

ProceduralPre-Testimony Evidentiary Rulings3lines spoken

Summary

The court resolved pre-testimony evidentiary disputes, including proposed statements by Ms. Ventura, defense exhibits, and future questioning limits.

ProceduralNash State-of-Mind Evidence Hearing6lines spoken

Summary

The court limited proposed state-of-mind testimony, admitted two exhibits subject to foundation, provisionally excluded a third, and approved protections for Mia's pseudonym.

Day 16

May 29, 2025

ProceduralMia Testimony Evidentiary Rulings21lines spoken

Summary

The court denied the motion to strike Dr. Hughes, set privacy measures for Mia's testimony, and ruled on proposed defense exhibits, including the scrapbook and text messages.

RedirectDeonte Nash — RedirectDeonte NashMaurene R. Comey3lines spoken

Summary

Nash reaffirmed his account of alleged violence and testified that Cassie said she did not want to go to a hotel on her 29th birthday.

DirectMia — DirectMiaMadison R. Smyser1,009lines spoken

Summary

Mia described her employment under Sean Combs, alleged violence and control affecting her and Casandra Ventura, hotel-night duties, drug use, and alleged sexual assaults.

Day 17

May 30, 2025

DirectMia — DirectMiaMadison R. Smyser407lines spoken

Summary

Mia described alleged threats, workplace control, suspension, an attempt to leave a St. Barts trip, later contacts from D-Roc and Mr. Combs, and her reported difficulty working after leaving.

sidebarNarrative Objection and Break RequestDuring Mia — Direct2lines spoken

Summary

Counsel objected that a direct-examination question invited a narrative response, and the sidebar also addressed the timing of a requested bathroom break.

sidebarPTSD Diagnosis TestimonyDuring Mia — Direct3lines spoken

Summary

The parties discussed whether testimony about a PTSD diagnosis and inability to work was relevant and admissible to prove serious harm.

CrossMia — CrossMiaBrian Steel12lines spoken

Summary

Defense cross-examined Mia with years of favorable social-media posts about Sean Combs; Mia said the posts presented a positive public image and did not reflect her private fear and misery.

ProceduralMidday Evidentiary Hearing17lines spoken

Summary

The court excluded a late-produced defense video of Mia, set limits on related cross-examination, and resolved objections involving two other defense exhibits.

CrossMia — CrossMiaBrian Steel41lines spoken

Summary

Defense used Mia's favorable posts and birthday gifts to challenge her account; Mia said they reflected public high points, workplace expectations, and an abusive relationship she found difficult to leave.

sidebarJuror Binder ReviewDuring Mia — Cross1line spoken

Summary

At sidebar, the court addressed the jurors' brief review of a binder while defense renewed its objection to the binder's use.

Day 18

Jun 2, 2025

ProceduralPretrial Exhibit Rulings12lines spoken

Summary

The court ruled on Mia-related exhibits and limited proposed video versions and compilations.

CrossMia — CrossMiaBrian Steel56lines spoken

Summary

Defense used Mia's later affectionate messages and a video to challenge her account; Mia said fear, loyalty, and psychological confusion explained the communications, while the court limited portions of the impeachment effort.

sidebarExhibit 1750 Video AdmissionDuring Mia — Cross3lines spoken

Summary

At sidebar, counsel disputed whether a video was admissible to address the witness's demeanor or for impeachment and whether it was cumulative.

CrossMia — Cross ResumesMiaBrian Steel47lines spoken

Summary

Defense challenged Mia's disclosure timeline, prior mediation, later communications, and lack of corroborating records; Mia described fear, control, shame, and difficulty disclosing, while the court repeatedly limited question form.

sidebarQuestioning From Unadmitted Text MessagesDuring Mia — Cross Resumes9lines spoken

Summary

Counsel disputed whether cross-examination could reference text-message statements from an exhibit that was not being admitted.

sidebarWitness Interview Records ReviewDuring Mia — Cross Resumes1line spoken

Summary

The sidebar addressed providing witness interview records for review and narrowing follow-up testimony through possible stipulations.

CrossMia — Cross ResumesMiaBrian Steel57lines spoken

Summary

Defense challenged Mia's disclosure timeline, corroboration, and employment account; Mia maintained she felt unable to leave, and the court barred further therapist-related questioning and instructed jurors to disregard related testimony.

sidebarDispute Over Therapist PrivilegeDuring Mia — Cross Resumes3lines spoken

Summary

The parties disputed whether testimony had opened the door to questions about Mia's privileged therapist conversations and whether the issue was timely raised.

RedirectMia — RedirectMiaMadison R. Smyser93lines spoken

Summary

Mia said favorable social-media posts were part of her work and did not reflect her private fear; the court overruled several objections and admitted additional exhibits.

Day 19

Jun 3, 2025

ProceduralVideo Compilation Admissibility Hearing6lines spoken

Summary

The court deferred a ruling on admitting a surveillance-video compilation until after testimony and cross-examination about its sequence, timestamps, and edits.

DirectEddy Garcia — DirectEddy GarciaMitzi Steiner5lines spoken

Summary

Garcia testified about requests for InterContinental footage, a USB transfer, $100,000 in cash, and his later admissions about deleted messages and initial dishonesty.

sidebarKhorram Video Statements AdmittedDuring Eddy Garcia — Direct3lines spoken

Summary

The parties disputed whether testimony about Ms. Khorram's communications concerning a video could be admitted as agency or co-conspirator statements and whether related detail was necessary.

Day 20

Jun 4, 2025

ProceduralEvidentiary Rulings Before Bryana Bongolan15lines spoken

Summary

The court resolved exhibit and cross-examination disputes before Bryana Bongolan's testimony and set a deadline for briefing on proposed Dr. Hughes testimony.

ProceduralBryana Bongolan Immunity Order10lines spoken

Summary

The court entered an immunity order for Bryana Bongolan before her testimony.

DirectFrank Piazza — DirectFrank PiazzaMadison R. Smyser255lines spoken

Summary

Video expert Frank Piazza authenticated cellphone and surveillance recordings, explained their technical limits, and presented an admitted chronological compilation of the hotel footage.

CrossFrank Piazza — CrossFrank PiazzaTeny R. Geragos3lines spoken

Summary

Defense counsel examined timestamp jumps, artifacts, and apparent recording gaps in the surveillance footage; Piazza explained the technical limitations and the cellphone-video bridge in the compilation.

RedirectFrank Piazza — RedirectFrank PiazzaMadison R. Smyser11lines spoken

Summary

Piazza clarified differing timestamp offsets in the video feeds, and the court set a procedure for undisclosed impeachment exhibits.

sidebarImpeachment Exhibit Submission ProcedureDuring Frank Piazza — Redirect2lines spoken

Summary

The Court addressed defense ex parte submissions containing proposed impeachment exhibits after the government objected.

DirectBryana Bongolan — DirectBryana BongolanMadison R. Smyser524lines spoken

Summary

Bryana Bongolan described the alleged balcony incident, identified injury photographs, and addressed discrepancies in later civil-litigation materials; the court excluded proposed settlement-call testimony after a hearsay dispute.

sidebarHearsay Foundation for Holladay CallDuring Bryana Bongolan — Direct7lines spoken

Summary

The parties disputed whether a call involving Rob Holladay had a sufficient foundation for admission as an agent or co-conspirator statement, or for its effect on the listener.

CrossBryana Bongolan — CrossBryana BongolanNicole Westmoreland68lines spoken

Summary

Defense counsel challenged Bongolan's recollection and prior accounts of the balcony incident through government-interview materials and civil filings; the court repeatedly required clearer questioning before continuing the cross the next day.

sidebarQuestion Wording and Witness AudibilityDuring Bryana Bongolan — Cross1line spoken

Summary

At sidebar, counsel disputed whether certain question wording suggested sexual innuendo and discussed clearer phrasing for the witness.

sidebarCross-Examination Questioning LimitsDuring Bryana Bongolan — Cross1line spoken

Summary

The sidebar addressed the anticipated length of cross-examination and objections to question form, including how to refresh the witness's recollection.

Day 21

Jun 5, 2025

CrossBryana Bongolan — CrossBryana BongolanNicole Westmoreland47lines spoken

Summary

Defense challenged Bongolan's injury timeline and later contact with Cassie and Combs through texts, photographs, and records; Bongolan maintained Combs caused her injuries while acknowledging inaccuracies in a former lawyer's demand letter.

sidebarDefense Questioning and Defendant NoddingDuring Bryana Bongolan — Cross4lines spoken

Summary

The Court addressed an objection to defense questioning about documents and concerns that the defendant's visible nodding could influence the jury.

sidebarQuestioning on Incident DateDuring Bryana Bongolan — Cross7lines spoken

Summary

Counsel disputed whether the witness had tied the balcony incident and resulting injuries to September 26 rather than only placing a photograph around that date.

RedirectBryana Bongolan — RedirectBryana BongolanMadison R. Smyser81lines spoken

Summary

Bongolan addressed meeting notes and civil-litigation discrepancies, acknowledged uncertainty about the incident's exact date, and reaffirmed her alleged balcony account.

Day 24

Jun 10, 2025

ProceduralMistrial and Evidentiary Motions Rulings4lines spoken

Summary

The court denied the mistrial and evidentiary motions, declined to recall Dr. Hughes, and received defense preservation requests concerning alleged false testimony, a juror, and later Rule 29 issues.

Day 27

Jun 13, 2025

ProceduralJonathan Perez Immunity Proceeding9lines spoken

Summary

The court entered an immunity order for Jonathan Pérez after he invoked his right against self-incrimination.

ProceduralCourtroom Conduct Discussion4lines spoken

DirectJonathan Perez — DirectJonathan PerezMadison R. Smyser549lines spoken

Summary

Former assistant Jonathan Perez described king-night logistics, related texts and recordings, drug and cash requests, and June 2024 communications involving Jane.

CrossJonathan Perez — CrossJonathan PerezBrian Steel40lines spoken

Summary

Perez characterized king-night and drug-related tasks as personal, addressed security and firearms, and identified messages with Jane after the court admitted Exhibit 3D-126.

sidebarText Exchange Exhibit ProceduresDuring Jonathan Perez — Cross9lines spoken

Summary

The parties discussed whether and how portions of a lengthy text-message exchange could be used during cross-examination and later admitted with redactions.

RedirectJonathan Perez — RedirectJonathan PerezMadison R. Smyser22lines spoken

Summary

The prosecution clarified that Perez's requests, king-night setup, and personal purchases for Mr. Combs were part of his personal-assistant job.

ProceduralEvidentiary Hearing on Khorram Communications and Victim 3 Evidence7lines spoken

Summary

The court issued a series of exhibit rulings, admitting some Khorram and assistant communications while excluding or narrowing others, including alleged Victim 3 and Mia-related messages.

Day 31

Jun 20, 2025

RedirectBrendan Paul — RedirectBrendan PaulMary C. Slavik4lines spoken

Summary

Paul clarified the limits of his knowledge of wild king nights and described assistant duties; the court later allowed completing text messages to be read to the jury.

Day 34

Jun 25, 2025

Charge ConferenceCharge Conference on Final Jury Instructions123lines spoken

Summary

The court resolved extensive final-instruction disputes, removed one obstruction predicate, revised several charge provisions, and set the closing-argument schedule.

Day 35

Jun 26, 2025

ProceduralFinal Charge Edits and Deliberation Logistics3lines spoken

Summary

The court finalized jury-charge edits, set the closing-and-deliberation schedule, and addressed the deliberation laptop.

About

Key Points

Attorney insights (3)

Trial Record (61)

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary