Diddy’s Sex Trafficking Trial Stalls Amid Juror Illness and Courtroom Leaks

The trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs for sex trafficking and racketeering hit a snag on Wednesday when a juror’s sudden vertigo brought proceedings to a halt in Manhattan’s federal courthouse. Judge Arun Subramanian announced the pause after the juror, en route to court, fell ill, with their partner notifying the court. This unexpected hiccup left both prosecution and defense scrambling, as the judge clarified this was a regular juror, not an alternate, making immediate continuation impossible.

The courtroom drama didn’t stop there. Judge Subramanian revealed he’s probing another juror issue, the second this week, adding fuel to an already fiery trial. Earlier, Juror No. 6 was dismissed after inconsistencies in their residency claims surfaced, sparking debates over jury diversity and fairness. Combs’ defense pushed for a mistrial, arguing the juror’s ethnicity warranted retention, but the judge firmly rejected race-based considerations, stating, “The court cannot and should not let race factor into what it should do.”

Tensions escalated when Judge Subramanian issued a stern warning to both legal teams after a sealed court order was breached, with details of a private proceeding leaking to the media. He held lead counsel, Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey and defense attorney Marc Agnifilo, accountable, emphasizing, “The buck stops with you.” Violations, he warned, could lead to contempt charges. The trial, now in its fifth week, continues to be plagued by juror-related chaos, testing the court’s patience and the case’s momentum.