The number of potential jurors in the sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs was narrowed down to 45 names on Wednesday in New York.
There’s no court Thursday and the final portion of jury selection is scheduled to begin Friday morning, according to CNN.
As the defense and prosecution prepare to start striking people they want eliminated on their way to seating a jury of 12 and six alternates, prosecutors are dealing with another issue — they can’t reach a key witness.
The unidentified woman, described as “Victim No. 3” in court documents, is alleged to have been sexually exploited by Combs.
Related: Here’s What the Judge Says Diddy Can Wear to Court for His Trial
On Wednesday in court, prosecutor Maurene Comey said the woman and her attorney have stopped responding to communications from the feds.
“We do not know whether she intends to appear, and we are trying very hard to find out because we are having trouble communicating with her counsel,” Comey told U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, as reported by the New York Post.
Subramanian pressed the prosecution on the woman’s status after Comey admitted on Monday, during the first day of jury selection, that prosecutors had lost contact with the alleged victim.
Prosecutors said the woman was issued a subpoena. But she lives outside of New York City, where the trial is taking place.
On Monday, Judge Subramanian asked Comey if she still plans to include details about the woman in her opening statements.
Diddy’s legal team told the judge it needs answers about “Victim No. 3” by the end of this week. In response, the judge urged prosecutors to keep trying to reach the woman and her attorney.
The Bad Boy Records founder was in court for all three days of jury selection. He’s been wearing his own sweaters, collared white shirts and pants, instead of jail-issued tan jumpsuits. Since he was arrested in September 2024 and jailed in Brooklyn, his hair has turned gray.
Combs, 55, is charged with five federal counts and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Opening arguments in his trial are scheduled to begin on Monday, May 12. He faces 15 years to life in federal prison if convicted.
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