Sick juror derails Diddy trial as rapper's ‘drug mule' was set to testify
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' bombshell sex-trafficking trial was derailed Wednesday because of a sick juror — as the rapper's alleged 'drug mule' had been poised to begin testifying.
Manhattan federal Judge Arun Subramanian informed Combs, his lawyers and prosecutors just after 9:00 a.m. that a juror had been experiencing 'vertigo symptoms.'
'I don't see how we can proceed today,' the judge added.
4 Trial was derailed Wednesday because of a sick juror as Sean 'Diddy' Combs' alleged 'drug mule' had been set to testify against him.
REUTERS
Brendan Paul, a former college basketball player who allegedly supplied Combs with drugs — arrived in court Wednesday morning as he was slated to begin testifying as the last major witness in the prosecution's case against the hip-hop mogul.
The closely watched trial will now be on hold until Friday morning because of the Juneteenth federal holiday on Thursday.
Paul, 25, was arrested on March 26, 2024, around the same time the feds raided the Bad Boy Records founder's Miami and Los Angeles homes.
Paul was found with cocaine and marijuana candy when he was cuffed just as he was about to board Combs' plane in Miami.
The feds dropped the case against Paul in December after he completed a drug treatment diversion program.
On Tuesday, when the jurors were not in the courtroom, Paul briefly took the witness stand to plead the Fifth and exercise his right not to incriminate himself.
However, prosecutors then said they would grant him immunity if he testified truthfully in the case.
4 Paul was expected to testify as the last major prosecution witness and he is expected to testify under an immunity deal with prosecutors.
REUTERS
In a $30 million lawsuit filed by producer Rodney 'Lil Rod' Jones against Combs last year, the hooper-turned-amateur-music-producer was accused of being Combs' 'drug mule' who also supplied him with guns.
Paul — an Ohio native — played Division I basketball at Syracuse University from 2018 to 2020 before he transferred to Fairmont State University to play for a Division II team for his last two years.
The baller is expected to be the last major witness in prosecutors' case against the 'I'll Be Missing You' rapper.
After Paul, only two more law enforcement witnesses are scheduled to testify before the prosecution rests its case.
4 Combs has pleaded not guilty to sex-trafficking and racketeering charges.
REUTERS
Combs' lawyer Marc Agnifilo on Monday indicated that the defense case would last as little as two days.
He said he planned to call at least three witnesses, including two former employees of Combs and a paralegal at Agnifilo's firm.
The scheduling announcement by the attorney suggested that Combs will not testify in his own defense.
Combs, 55, is accused of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and prostitution related charges.
4 Paul was arrested last year as he was about to board Combs' plane in Miami and he was allegedly carrying cocaine and marijuana candies.
REUTERS
Prosecutors claim he forced women to have sex with male prostitutes while they were high on drugs and while he watched, recorded and pleasured himself during so-called 'freak-offs.'
Combs has pleaded not guilty and his lawyers have argued that the women who partook in the drugged-and-lubed-up sex marathons were his gal pals and willing participants.
But jurors have heard testimony from two women, including Combs' former longtime girlfriend Cassie Ventura, that he was physically and emotionally abusive and that their participation in the sex sessions was coerced.
Combs — who has been behind bars since his September arrest — faces up to life in prison if convicted on the top charge.
With Post wires
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