Federal prosecutors are scrambling to find a key witness scheduled to testify in opposition to Sean “Diddy” Combs in his extremely anticipated intercourse trafficking trial, which started with opening statements on Monday, based on Deadline.
The U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) reported that as of Sunday, they’d not but made contact with “Sufferer-3,” who was scheduled to testify Monday with detailed allegations of sexual exploitation by the rapper and entrepreneur. Authorities now suspect she could also be lacking. Inside Version famous that her id would have been made public as soon as she took the stand.
Together with her sudden disappearance, Combs’ authorized staff is getting ready to grab the second, doubtlessly submitting for a mistrial or requesting a delay in proceedings. When contacted by Deadline on Sunday relating to Sufferer-3’s whereabouts and the attainable authorized ramifications if she fails to testify, a spokesperson for the SDNY declined to remark, the outlet famous. Regulation enforcement sources imagine the lady could have gone off the radar as a consequence of considerations for her security, however haven’t offered additional particulars. In the meantime, Combs’ protection staff has not responded to inquiries concerning the potential impression of her absence on the case.
Juror guide Renato Stabile instructed Inside Version in an interview shared Could 9, that Sufferer-3’s disappearance could not throw a significant wrench within the case.
“Individuals simply get nervous, and this individual might simply be nervous and simply has had second ideas,” Stabile instructed reporter Les Trent. “I don’t assume it’s going to have an incredible impact. The prosecution goes to name a number of alleged victims. So look, this is only one much less.”
Sufferer-3 isn’t the one particular person displaying indicators of hesitation. A juror has requested to be excused from the panel, citing considerations about their “private well-being ” in an electronic mail to the decide, Inside Version reported. Nonetheless, early morning Monday, 12 jurors had been sworn in forward of opening statements, CNN reported. The panel consists of eight males and 4 ladies.
In the meantime, prosecutors have revealed that Sufferer-1—recognized as Diddy’s former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura—is presently pregnant together with her third baby. As a consequence of her superior being pregnant, she has requested the decide to permit a break each 90 minutes whereas she testifies.
As beforehand reported, Combs entered a not-guilty plea to prices of racketeering, conspiracy, and intercourse trafficking. Prosecutors allege that Combs, with the help of associates, engaged in a sample of coercion and abuse spanning a number of years, utilizing threats, violence, and blackmail to intimidate and silence his victims, allegedly each men and women. If discovered responsible on all counts, Combs might face a life sentence.
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