@rottenmangopod

Father Arun has denied the defense’s motion for a mistrial. I’m trying to word this in the most casual way possible. Father Arun basically said - 

1. Bona wasn’t intentionally trying to lie on the stand. It’s been years since the balcony incident and she was on a lot of drugs at the time and she remembers to the best of her ability after all these years. 

2. Nicole Westmoreland (the defense attorney who did the cross examination), she ate. Father Arun basically said that. It was a rare moment where unexpected information is introduced into the record and could influence the outcome of a trial. Like pure cinematic “gotcha” moment in court that never happens in real life. 

In other words - Bona is not a robot and likely misremembered a few details (also taking into consideration the copious amounts of drugs she testified she was taking during those years). Nicole Westmoreland more or less discredited her in front of the jurors. 

The Government took an L. The defense took a W. Why do you want a mistrial? Exactly. Denied. 
HOWEVER - the defense is probably going to keep filing for a mistrial even if they get denied because it lays foundation for a future appeal. 

DISCLAIMER: Father Arun’s denial was eloquent. This is just what I took from it.

@Mymelodiime

Mia’s cross examination is exactly why victims of SA rarely came forward. It’s just re-traumatization.

@ashtasically

It’s been a week I’ve been checking this page harder than I check my bank account on pay day

@elizabettaiannuzzelli8590

The amount of victim blaming in the defense is actually insane

@casallanos0453

Girl!!! Please let us know your ok! The fact you have been gone soo long is creeping me out! You have got me at checking everywhere to see if you have posted any update on you and your team! Hope your well and safe ❤️

@fuwafuwantan

this cross was disgusting, my god. i get that it's their job, but i cannot imagine being questioned like this about my own assault

@FaeEvergreen

The fact that jurors are smirking, disengaged, and zoning out while a woman is passionately talking about pretty obvious and overt signs of abuse, SA and trauma survival is very telling about the state of our society and how women are perceived in it. It's very clear why women choose not to come forward about these topics when this apathy is so often the response. It's really sad.

@RedCanyonWolf

It’s obvious that people truly do not know how trauma and abuse works.

@michellemazzyy

Coming back here to make sure you’re okay. 5 days is making me nervous. Forget the video, just praying you and your team are okay ❤

@prizmajeno

I'm a 44 years old grown ass man and I couldn't finish this episode... Having an SA victim publicly humiliated as a defense is a clear sign of a rotten society!

@epicdogbattles

defense basically said "you should have posted the abuse online immediately while the abuser had all the power and no one would have believed you"

@ceeisthename

I’m so fucking disgusted with this cross of Mia. This is why SA victims rarely come forwards because it’s traumatising. Imagine going through SA and then someone attacking you with “you were never SA’ed” I’m beyond angry.

@ashtasically

Stephanie let us know yall are okay!! With all the mess going on this passed week, I think most of us are just worried something happened to you. Please be safe and well

@audreywillis2432

“Alot of people only feel sympathy for victims if they are the type of victim we want to see on the stand” 
YOU HIT THE NAIL ON YHE HEAD GIRL 👏🏻

@Amelia.Ratliff

When I opened a sexual 'harassment case at my work against my boss, despite having 60 pages of texts and emails of graphic language and innuendos, the case went in his favour because I had 'bought him a present for his birthday and I was told I had an ulterior motive. It was such a clear case but people who have never experienced it 'will never understand the shame and how much we will try to hide it. It's disgusting.. ..!

@aragon2097

Update: judge has ruled that there will be no mistrial

@yessirrrrrr7271

I’m a Law student and currently intern at a reputable private Law firm. Just some insight into why they chose a man for the cross is actually quite sinister. It is quite obvious that Mia is still suffering from the effects of her SA and having a man examine her, especially quite aggressively, would (for lack of a better term) make her trip up more due to stress and discomfort and provide a more easily predictable and subordinate witness. It’s probably why she leant on repeating things she’s learnt from her therapist instead of delving deep into her own thoughts and feelings at the time. Horrific use of psychological warfare on part of the defense.

@skystruck236

Bryan Steel’s cross just further proved to me how traumatized she was. He backed up her every statement. She didn’t want to address this was happening to her. She wanted to pretend everything was okay because she was scared. SHE DIDNT TELL ANYONE SO WHY WOULD SHE TELL INSTAGRAM WHICH IS MONITORED BY HIM 😭

@sparkey9998

"You lied." Is so disgusting my stomach turned. As a people pleaser dealing with guilt from toxic friendship/relationships that would have absolutely made me doubt everything all over again. My heart aches for Mia. Her therapist has a lot of work to do after this.

@mariahkelley2037

1:47:39 diddy texting her “i only remember the good times” sounds like an admission AND a threat like “you better not bring up the bad stuff”