Attorneys for Sean “Diddy” Combs returned to court Friday following a one-day recess. However, prosecutors said they are struggling to reach a key witness expected to testify in the high-profile case.
Prosecutors told the court they have been unable to get in contact with the woman listed as “Victim 3” in the indictment or her lawyer, who has been dealing with personal issues.
Combs faces charges of racketeering, conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
If convicted, the music mogul could face decades, or even life, in prison.
Missing witness poses challenge
Victim 3 was expected to tell jurors how she was allegedly sexually exploited by Combs. Her testimony was set to support claims of a decades-long pattern of misconduct.
However, prosecutors said she does not live locally and might not appear in court, even if served with a subpoena.
Cassie Ventura to testify
Despite the setback, prosecutors plan to call three other witnesses, including singer Cassie Ventura, Combs’ former girlfriend. According to Reuters, Combs’ lawyers told the judge Friday they plan to accuse Ventura of domestic violence.
They claim there was mutual violence in the relationship, which they argue could complicate prosecutors’ portrayal of Ventura as a victim. Her lawyers declined to comment to Reuters on the defense team’s allegations.
Ventura’s civil lawsuit, filed in November 2023, sparked Combs’ current legal woes. The case was filed just before the expiration of the New York Adult Survivors Act, a law that allowed survivors of sexual violence to file claims beyond the usual statute of limitations.
Her case prompted a wave of additional lawsuits from other women and men, ultimately leading to Combs’ federal indictment in September 2024.
The trial remains ongoing despite the prosecution’s struggle to locate an additional witness. USA Today reported that 12 final jurors and six alternates are expected to be selected Monday, with opening statements scheduled the same day.
