After nearly a week and over 100 prospects parading before a federal judge, prosecutors and defense lawyers, a jury has still not been officially selected for Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex-trafficking and more trial.
In what was intended to be a final pre-trial hearing to wrap up any loose end in the case that could see Combs behind bars for life if found guilty, Judge Arun Subramanian nudged solidifying the jury until Monday morning.
Pushed by Combs’ Marc Agnifilo- and Teny Geragos-led defense team, with their client in the courtroom today, the argument is that it is better to leave objections to first thing next week to counter any potential jurors getting “cold feet” over the weekend and more seriously hampering the start of the trial. Regardless of one’s POV on this, it was made all the more acute when one potential juror told the court via email today that they wanted off the case.
As it is, and opposed by prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York, the shift to May 12 could delay the start of the trial by at least an hour if not more.
Pretty much in place since May 7, the panel of 12 plus six alternates was presumed to be locked up this morning after prosecutors and defense lawyers went some last minute objections and challenges. With the Bad Boy Records founder facing life in prison if found guilty, Judge Subramanian has set opening statements to start around 9:30 am ET in his Manhattan courtroom.
Charged with racketeering, sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution charges and more, the 55-year-old Combs (a.k.a .inmate 37452-054), who has pleaded not guilty, has been incarcerated in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center since his arrest last September. A defendant not just in this criminal case, but in dozens and dozens of civil cases alleging assaults and abuse, the once time mini-mogul has always sworn he is innocent, and all the interactions were consensual and the result of a swinger lifestyle.
Another wrinkle in the process that popped up today is that the feds still cannot find or get in contact with one of their key witnesses. Repeating what they said earlier in the week, one of the Assistant US Attorneys informed Judge Subramanian Friday that Victim-3 has fallen off their radar. Anticipated as recently as two weeks ago to testify about being “sexually exploited” by Combs, out of state Victim-3 has not responded to any attempts by the feds to get in touch with her in more the past few days.
Prosecutors told the judge they should know for sure by EOD if Victim-3 will or will not be participating in the weeks long trial.
One witness that is assured to testify, despite her quickly settled ($30 million) assault and abuse suit firm November 2023, is Victim-1, a.k.a former Combs girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
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