Defense focuses on messages from 'Mia' to Combs: 'Sending all the love in the world'
The defense showed the court a message from Jan. 15, 2019, in which "Mia," a former Sean Combs assistant who is testifying under a pseudonym, texted Combs to tell him about her having a “nightmare” about being trapped in an elevator with R&B singer R. Kelly and how, she dreamt, Combs came to her rescue.
“The person who sexually assaulted you, came to your rescue, correct?” defense attorney Brian Steel asked, referring to "Mia's" previous testimony about Combs allegedly sexually assaulting her.
“Yes,” "Mia" testified in response.
“You had to tell him that, that he’s your actual savior?” Steel asked.
“Yes,” "Mia" told the court.
The following March, "Mia" texted Combs the message “Sending all the love in the world” with a heart emoji, the defense showed the court.
“You’re not under the grip of Mr. Combs at that time,” Steel asserted.
"Mia" disagreed, telling the court, “No, I still was psychologically.” She also testified that the timing of the message in question coincided with the recent passing of Kim Porter, the late mother of four of Combs' children.
"Mia" also testified that part of her job was to carry around a small camera to record Combs.
“Do you have any recording of Mr. Combs berating you?” Steel asked.
“No, I would not have been allowed to record that,” Mia testified.
“Because it’s not true, is it 'Mia?'” Steel asked. “Your statements that you were the victim at the hands of Mr. Combs of brutality isn’t true?”
Mia responded to the court, “Everything I’ve said in this courtroom is true.”
In August, 2020, more than three years after her separation from Bad Boy Records and Combs' employment, "Mia" texted to Combs, “Life is f------ insane and supposedly it all happens for a reason in order to elevate us in our human experience, but it’s rough.” Her message concluded, “I love you with all of my heart and I’m here for you forever.”
When questioned by the defense about the message, "Mia" told the jury that she had been “brainwashed” by Combs.
“Brainwashed meant I was in an environment where the highs were really high and the lows were really low and it created a huge confusion in trusting my instincts," "Mia" testified. "I was punished whenever Puff would be violent and I would react, confusing me and making me think I did something wrong. Nobody around batted an eye. He was still praised by everyone around him and the public."
"Mia's" testimony continued: "Again, I felt like I had done something, betrayed him in some way. I felt horrible about it, like I had done something wrong. I was always constantly seeking his approval. He was my authority figure. My only authority figure."
“When did the moral obligation come to your mind that you need to say this information that you are putting forth that Mr. Combs violated you in a sexual manner and other ways?” Steel asked.
“When I started witnessing him being held accountable for his actions,” "Mia" told the court. “It began when it all came out in the media and he was being held responsible.”
