Sean “Diddy” Combs’ high-profile sex-trafficking trial was unexpectedly delayed on Wednesday due to a juror suffering from vertigo, halting proceedings just as a key witness was set to take the stand.
US District Judge Arun Subramanian informed the courtroom shortly after 9 a.m. that the ill juror made it impossible to proceed. “I don’t see how we can proceed today,” the judge said.
The pause came just as Brendan Paul, the rapper’s alleged “drug mule” was scheduled to begin testifying as the final major witness in the prosecution’s case. The trial will now resume on Friday, following the Juneteenth federal holiday.
Paul, 25, a former Division I basketball player, was arrested in March 2024 with cocaine and marijuana edibles while attempting to board Combs’ private jet in Miami. His arrest coincided with federal raids on Combs’ homes in Miami and Los Angeles.
Though the drug case against Paul was dropped after he completed a treatment programme, he was later named in a $30 million lawsuit by music producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, alleging he supplied Combs with drugs and firearms.
On Tuesday, Paul briefly took the stand outside of the jury’s presence, invoking his Fifth Amendment right. Prosecutors have since offered him immunity in exchange for truthful testimony.
Following Paul, only two law enforcement witnesses remain before the prosecution concludes its case.
Combs’ defence lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, has indicated the defence will be brief, lasting no more than two days, and will include testimony from two former employees and a paralegal. Combs himself is not expected to testify.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to charges including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and prostitution-related offences. Prosecutors allege he orchestrated “freak-off” parties, where drugged women were coerced into sex acts for his voyeuristic pleasure.
The jury has already heard emotional testimony from two women, including Combs’ former partner Cassie Ventura, who described years of abuse and forced participation.
If convicted, the hip-hop mogul could face a life sentence.
