Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial: Key witness goes AWOL
A key witness in Sean ‘Diddy‘ Combs’s upcoming trial has reportedly gone AWOL, which could detrimentally impact the prosecutor’s case. Opening statements are set for May 12th.
Combs’ trial, in which he is accused of five counts of sex trafficking, racketeering, and sexual abuse by a number of both men and women, is currently ongoing and in the final stages of the jury selection process.
Following a request by Combs’ team to delay the final phase of jury selection over fears that potential jurors may withdraw from the process, the 12 jurors will be selected on May 12th, and six more will be chosen as alternates.
According to Deadline, the US Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York has yet to re-establish contact with a key witness against Combs, as of May 11th. Notably, the witness is not based in New York.
The key witness, known as Victim-3, was set to testify against the Bad Boy Records founder in the criminal trial, but that is now in the air. If Combs is found guilty, he will likely spend the rest of his life in prison.
The new report claims that the witness not appearing at the trial “may provide Combs’ legal team with the tools to bring the case to a stand-still”, even temporarily. They are also reportedly considering a mistrial or asking for a delay of the trial, the latter of which is the most likely outcome.
Combs’ ex-partner, Cassie Ventura, also known as Witness-1 during the trial, is still planning to give evidence along with three other witnesses.
Combs vehemently denies all the accusations against him, stating previously on social media that he “did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family, and for the truth.”
He was arrested in September 2024 and has since been held at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, New York, while awaiting trial. If found guilty, Combs could spend the rest of his life in prison.
The trial is set to continue on May 12th, with opening statements following the completion of the jury selection, unless the judge chooses to delay the case.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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