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Sean Combs— Case Archive
2025 Federal Trialtrial-daytrial-dayMadison R. SmyserBrian SteelMiadirectcrossDay 17 - May 30, 2025Mia's testimony continued as the court ruled on counsel access, summary exhibits, a late-produced video, and a scrapbook.
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Day 17 - May 30, 2025

Mia Testimony Continues Amid Exhibit and Counsel-Access Rulings

Judge Arun Subramanian
5Proceedings
5Pages
1Witnesses
2,897Lines
4Sidebars
Day 17 of 39
Appearing:
Madison R. Smyser Brian Steel Mia

Mia's testimony continued as the court ruled on counsel access, summary exhibits, a late-produced video, and a scrapbook.

Full day summary

Before the jury entered, the court expanded defense counsel's access to Mr. Combs, revised the treatment of several summary exhibits, and addressed which materials could go to the jury room. Mia then continued her testimony about her work for Mr. Combs, including communications during a South Africa trip, a suspension, and an attempt to leave a St. Barts yacht trip. On cross-examination, defense counsel questioned her about favorable social-media posts, gifts, and a scrapbook; Mia said the public material did not reflect her private experience. Outside the jury's presence, the court precluded a late-produced birthday video, allowed a scrapbook to be briefly shown to jurors, and directed clearer source information for defense exhibits.

1. Counsel Access and Summary-Exhibit Rulings

Before the jury returned on Day 17, the court addressed counsel access and ruled on revisions, jury-room use, and public redaction of summary exhibits.

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Procedural
Counsel Access and Summary-Exhibit Rulings
154 lines

The court set additional counsel-access arrangements for Mr. Combs and ruled on revisions and permitted uses of proposed summary exhibits.

2. Mia — Direct (Part 2)

Mia continued direct examination about her work for Mr. Combs, her account of threats to her job and safety, and later communications about her departure and settlement.

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Direct
Mia — Direct Mia Madison R. Smyser
876 lines

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.

2 sidebars inside this proceeding
  1. Narrative Objection and Break RequestCounsel objected that a direct-examination question invited a narrative response, and the sidebar also addressed the timing of a requested bathroom break.
  2. PTSD Diagnosis TestimonyThe parties discussed whether testimony about a PTSD diagnosis and inability to work was relevant and admissible to prove serious harm.

3. Mia — Cross (Part 3)

Mia addressed social-media posts praising and promoting Sean Combs, saying Instagram presented a positive image despite private fear and misery.

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Cross
Mia — Cross Mia Brian Steel
794 lines

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.

4. Midday Evidentiary Hearing

Before the jury entered, the court limited defense questioning of Mia and excluded a birthday video, while allowing questions about it and limited jury review of a scrapbook.

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Procedural
Midday Evidentiary Hearing
151 lines

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

5. Mia — Cross (Part 4)

Brian Steel cross-examined Mia about favorable posts, gifts, and a scrapbook. Mia said the posts reflected high points and that the relationship was abusive and difficult to leave; the court later addressed exhibit-identification questions outside the jury's presence.

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Cross
Mia — Cross Mia Brian Steel
922 lines

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.

2 sidebars inside this proceeding
  1. Cross-Examination Form and ScheduleAt sidebar, the Court addressed the remaining cross-examination time and the need to clarify a vague question about whether conduct was wrong.
  2. Juror Binder ReviewAt sidebar, the court addressed the jurors' brief review of a binder while defense renewed its objection to the binder's use.
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