Federal prosecutors within the Sean “Diddy” Combs intercourse trafficking case are going through a critical impediment simply days earlier than opening statements: considered one of their key witnesses has gone lacking.
Identified in court docket paperwork as “Sufferer 3,” the lady is reportedly unreachable and now not in communication with both the prosecution or her authorized counsel, according to Mail On-line.
She doesn’t reside in New York, the place the trial will start on Monday.
On Wednesday, lead prosecutor Maurene Comey instructed U.S. District Choose Arun Subramanian that even when contact is re-established, she nonetheless could not present up.
Sufferer 3 was anticipated to offer “very private and explosive particulars” relating to alleged abuse by Combs.
Again in April, prosecutors had assured the court docket that she “didn’t want to use a pseudonym throughout her testimony,” suggesting she was ready to go public.
Protection lawyer Teny Geragos demanded that the prosecution verify by the top of the week whether or not it nonetheless intends to name Sufferer 3 as a witness.
WTF?! Key Diddy witness “Sufferer 3” has gone MISSING, per Each day Mail
Opening statements are set to start subsequent week and federal prosecutors have been scrambling to get ahold of her
She was set to ship “very private and explosive particulars” regarding abuse she allegedly… pic.twitter.com/tW62umbCKR
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 9, 2025
The case took an additional flip in April when a 3rd superseding indictment added an additional cost of intercourse trafficking and transportation to have interaction in prostitution.
In complete, Combs faces 5 counts, together with racketeering and intercourse trafficking, tied to 4 alleged victims.
Prosecutors declare these girls had been compelled to participate in drug-fueled intercourse occasions, described as “freak offs.”
Combs has pleaded not responsible to all fees, along with his authorized staff arguing the accusations stem from consensual relationships with former companions.
“These usually are not new allegations or new accusers,” they mentioned. “These are the identical people, former long-term girlfriends.”
”This was their non-public intercourse life, outlined by consent, not coercion,” they added.
Comey emphasised that “many, many acts of racketeering” stay a part of the case even with out Sufferer 3.
Sufferer 1, singer Cassie Ventura, will testify below her actual title, whereas Victims 2 and 4 have been granted pseudonyms.
Jury choice is underway. To this point, 45 folks have superior after filling out detailed questionnaires to evaluate whether or not they can decide the case impartially.
Combs, who appeared in court docket with a greying beard, instructed the decide he felt “a bit of nervous” and requested for a loo break.
He not too long ago rejected a plea deal and will face life in jail if convicted.
