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Sean Combs— Case Archive
2025 Federal Trialtrial-daytrial-dayMaurene R. ComeyMary C. SlavikMarc A. AgnifiloBrian SteelChris IgnacioLance JimenezDeonte NashdirectcrossredirectDay 15 - May 28, 2025An arson investigator testified about a 2012 Porsche fire; the court struck fingerprint-card testimony and denied a mistrial motion before Deonte Nash described alleged threats and assaults involving Cassie Ventura.
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Day 15 - May 28, 2025

Porsche Fire Testimony, Fingerprint-Card Ruling, And Deonte Nash Testimony

Judge Arun Subramanian
11Proceedings
8Pages
3Witnesses
4,188Lines
1Sidebars
Day 15 of 39
Appearing:
Maurene R. Comey Mary C. Slavik Marc A. Agnifilo Brian Steel Chris Ignacio Lance Jimenez Deonte Nash

An arson investigator testified about a 2012 Porsche fire; the court struck fingerprint-card testimony and denied a mistrial motion before Deonte Nash described alleged threats and assaults involving Cassie Ventura.

Full day summary

LAFD arson investigator Lance Jimenez testified about his investigation of a January 2012 fire involving a black Porsche at 8925 Hollywood Hills Road. He described a cut roof, interior burn patterns, and a gasoline-filled bottle with a cloth, and gave his fire-cause opinion. After testimony concerning destroyed fingerprint cards prompted a hearing outside the jury's presence, the court struck that testimony, denied a defense mistrial motion, and instructed jurors not to consider it. Deonte Nash then testified about his work with Cassie Ventura and Sean Combs and described alleged threats, control over Ventura's clothing and music, and several alleged assaults on Ventura.

1. Pretestimony Evidentiary Rulings

Before the jury returned on Day 15, the court denied the defense motion to strike Mr. Mescudi's testimony and ruled on proposed testimony and defense exhibits.

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Procedural
Pre-Testimony Evidentiary Rulings
136 lines

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

2. Chris Ignacio — Direct/Cross

Officer Chris Ignacio described a December 2011 response to a possible burglary call, then said on cross-examination that he saw no signs of a burglary inside the residence.

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Direct
Chris Ignacio — Direct Chris Ignacio Mary C. Slavik
221 lines

Officer Chris Ignacio described a 2011 response at Scott Mescudi's residence, observations of a black Escalade, and the admission of its DMV registration record.

Cross
Chris Ignacio — Cross Chris Ignacio Brian Steel
331 lines

Officer Chris Ignacio acknowledged refreshing his memory from a report and testified about what officers did and did not observe during the 2011 response at Scott Mescudi's residence.

3. Lance Jimenez — Direct (Part 1)

LAFD arson investigator Lance Jimenez testified that a gasoline-filled bottle with a lit cloth caused a contained fire inside a black Porsche, and the court admitted scene photographs.

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Direct
Lance Jimenez — Direct Lance Jimenez Mary C. Slavik
426 lines

Lance Jimenez gave expert fire-origin testimony about the 2012 Porsche fire, physical evidence found at the scene, and the later destruction of fingerprint cards.

1 sidebar inside this proceeding
  1. Destroyed Fingerprint Cards ObjectionCounsel disputed whether questions about destroyed fingerprint cards improperly suggested wrongdoing or fairly addressed potential challenges to the investigation.

4. Fingerprint-Card Evidence Hearing

Outside the jury's presence, the court struck testimony about destroyed fingerprint cards and denied a defense mistrial request.

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Procedural
Fingerprint-Card Evidence Hearing
62 lines

The court struck fingerprint-card testimony, denied a defense mistrial motion, and ordered a curative instruction.

5. Lance Jimenez — Direct/Cross/Redirect (Part 2)

LAFD investigator Lance Jimenez resumed testimony about the Porsche-fire investigation, then faced defense questions about DNA evidence, an untested glove, and follow-up efforts.

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Direct
Lance Jimenez — Direct Resumes Lance Jimenez Mary C. Slavik
66 lines

Jimenez described unsuccessful witness-contact efforts and said the Porsche-fire case remained inactive without charges.

Cross
Lance Jimenez — Cross Lance Jimenez Marc A. Agnifilo
443 lines

Jimenez was questioned about partial female DNA on the bottle, an uncollected glove, and gaps in the Porsche-fire investigation.

Redirect
Lance Jimenez — Redirect Lance Jimenez Mary C. Slavik
35 lines

Jimenez explained why he did not collect a glove and said his efforts to contact Capricorn were not prompted by a DNA report.

6. Deonte Nash — Direct (Part 1)

Deonte Nash described alleged threats, control over Cassie’s appearance and music, and a 2014 incident involving him at a Vanity Fair party.

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Direct
Deonte Nash — Direct Deonte Nash Maurene R. Comey
288 lines

Deonte Nash described alleged threats and control directed at Cassie, an alleged confrontation with Puff at a Vanity Fair party, and decisions affecting Cassie's appearance and music releases.

7. Nash State-of-Mind Evidence Hearing

During the lunch recess, the court ruled on state-of-mind testimony, proposed exhibits, and protections for Mia's identity.

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Procedural
Nash State-of-Mind Evidence Hearing
100 lines

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.

8. Deonte Nash — Direct (Part 2)

Deonte Nash described alleged assaults, threats involving recordings, and times he said he helped Cassie stay at hotels before cross-examination began.

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Direct
Deonte Nash — Direct Resumes Deonte Nash Maurene R. Comey
2080 lines

Nash described alleged assaults, threats, and efforts by Cassie to hide, then faced initial cross-examination about his relationships and work history.

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