Diddy’s Trafficking Trial Delayed After Juror Suffers Vertigo

(LibertySociety.com) – Diddy’s sex trafficking trial comes to a screeching halt as a juror’s sudden illness derails proceedings just before testimony from his alleged “drug mule” could expose damning new evidence.

Key Takeaways

• A juror’s vertigo symptoms forced an unexpected adjournment of Diddy’s sex trafficking trial on June 18, 2025
• Brendan Paul, Diddy’s former assistant and alleged “drug mule,” had his crucial testimony delayed until at least June 20
• The trial faces further delays due to the Juneteenth holiday, pushing the prosecution’s timeline to complete their case into the following week
• This is the latest in a series of juror issues, following the dismissal of Juror #6 over residency inconsistencies and potential bias
• Prosecutors allege Diddy orchestrated “freak-offs” where victims were drugged and coerced into sexual acts

Juror’s Sudden Illness Halts High-Profile Trial

The high-stakes sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs encountered an unexpected obstacle on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, when proceedings were abruptly adjourned after a juror reported experiencing vertigo symptoms en route to the Manhattan courthouse. Judge Arun Subramanian described the situation as a “momentary issue” but determined it would be impossible to proceed with the day’s scheduled testimony. The juror’s partner contacted court officials to report the medical situation, forcing an immediate shutdown of the day’s proceedings.

This latest disruption comes at a critical juncture in the trial, as prosecutors were preparing to present one of their final and potentially most damaging witnesses. The timing couldn’t be worse for the prosecution team, which had been methodically building their case against the music mogul for nearly a month. With the Juneteenth holiday already scheduled for Thursday, June 19, the trial now faces a minimum two-day delay before testimony can resume on Friday, June 20.

Key Witness Testimony Delayed

Brendan Paul, a former Syracuse University basketball player who allegedly served as Combs’ personal “drug mule,” was scheduled to take the stand on Wednesday. His testimony is considered crucial to the prosecution’s case, as he’s expected to provide firsthand accounts of how drugs were allegedly used to facilitate Combs’ “freak-offs” – multi-day sexual marathons involving sex workers where victims were reportedly drugged and coerced into performing sexual acts against their will.

Paul’s role as Combs’ former assistant places him in a unique position to corroborate claims made by previous witnesses, including Cassie Ventura, Combs’ former girlfriend who has accused him of years of abuse. Prosecutors believe Paul’s testimony will strengthen their narrative that Combs operated a criminal enterprise that used drugs, intimidation, and violence to control victims and facilitate sex trafficking operations.

Mounting Juror Issues Plague Trial

This isn’t the first juror-related complication to impact the high-profile case. Just one day earlier, on June 17, Judge Subramanian dismissed Juror #6 after discovering inconsistencies in his residency claims and concerns about potential bias. An alternate juror was seated in his place, but the defense team raised objections about the resulting reduction in the panel’s racial diversity – a factor they consider significant given the nature of the case and the identity of the defendant.

The recurring juror issues highlight the challenges of maintaining an impartial and stable jury throughout a lengthy, high-profile trial involving a celebrity defendant. Each disruption not only delays the proceedings but potentially impacts the momentum prosecutors have been building over nearly 30 days of testimony. For taxpayers, these delays represent yet another example of the inefficiency and expense of our judicial system, particularly when dealing with wealthy defendants who can afford extensive legal representation.

Prosecution Timeline Disrupted

Before the juror’s illness, prosecutors had anticipated resting their case by Friday, June 20. With the unexpected delay, that timeline has now been pushed to Monday at the earliest. The prosecution has presented a methodical case over 29 days, including testimony from multiple alleged victims who have described disturbing patterns of behavior by the hip-hop mogul. The defense team, meanwhile, has indicated their presentation will be relatively brief, lasting under five days.

The delay comes at a particularly sensitive moment in the trial, as the prosecution prepares to wrap up their case with what they hope will be compelling testimony from Paul. His expected revelations about drug distribution and Combs’ alleged methods of controlling victims could provide the final pieces prosecutors need to secure a conviction on the serious charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation for prostitution.

Defense Strategy Takes Shape

Throughout the trial, Combs’ defense team has maintained that all sexual encounters were consensual and has worked to undermine the credibility of the prosecution’s witnesses. They have consistently portrayed the government’s case as an overreach, suggesting that prosecutors are attempting to criminalize behavior that, while perhaps morally questionable, does not rise to the level of federal crimes.

Legal analysts following the case note that the defense appears to be preparing for a relatively brief presentation, suggesting they may believe the prosecution has failed to meet its burden of proof. Sources close to the defense indicate that Combs himself is unlikely to testify, a common strategy in high-profile criminal cases where defendants fear cross-examination could do more harm than good.

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