A key witness in disgraced rap mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial has been reported “missing,” prosecutors have revealed.
The star witness, “Victim 3,” was meant to testify against Diddy during his sex trafficking trial.
However, the case has now been thrown into chaos as the witness has vanished.
News of the disappearance comes after Combs made the shocking decision to reject a last-minute plea deal from prosecutors last week.
Opening statements are set to begin next week, but federal prosecutors have been left scrambling.
On Wednesday, lead prosecutor Maurene Comey told U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian that they are unable to locate “Victim 3” and her attorney.
The female victim, who is central to the case, does not live in New York where the Combs’ trial is being held.
Prosecutors had mentioned that Victim 3 plans to disclose “very personal and explosive details” concerning abuse she allegedly suffered under Combs.
Comey told the judge that the unnamed victim “may not show up.”
Defense attorney Teny Geragos demanded that the prosecution make a decision by the end of the week on whether they still plan to call Victim 3 to testify.
The prosecution’s admission that they cannot find one of their star witnesses came as a shock after prosecutors told the judge in an April 29 memo that Victim 3 “did not wish to use a pseudonym during her testimony.”
In April, prosecutors filed a third superseding indictment that added a charge of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution related to Victim 3.
Combs is facing a total of five counts, including racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution in connection with four alleged victims.
The victims were forced to participate in drug-fueled “freak offs,” prosecutors claim.
Combs’ legal team has said the addition of charges is nothing new.
“These are not new allegations or new accusers,” the defense attorneys said.
“These are the same individuals, former long-term girlfriends, who were involved in consensual relationships.
“This was their private sex life, defined by consent, not coercion.”
Prosecutors tried to downplay the bombshell news that one of their star witnesses won’t be able to testify.
Comey told the judge there are still “many, many acts of racketeering apart from Victim 3.”
While Victim 3’s identity remains unknown to the public, Geragos said in court that the woman has been around Combs “for a long time.”
Combs has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Prosecutors have said “Victim 1,” Cassie Ventura, plans to testify using her own name.
The judge had approved prosecutors’ request for Victims 2 and 4 to testify under pseudonyms.
Combs appeared in court this week as both sides questioned potential jurors.
More than 600 potential jurors filled out questionnaires.
They included questions about their feelings about domestic partner violence, their hobbies, and the types of music and media they consume regularly.
A total of 45 have made it to the final stage of jury selection on Wednesday.
Both sides will come back on Friday, and both sides will go over which individuals they want to strike off the jury list.
Combs, who has been sporting gray hair and beard, told the judge on Monday that he was “a little nervous” and asked Judge Arun Subramanian for a bathroom break.
In a shocking decision, Combs rejected a last-minute plea deal from prosecutors last week.
He faces life in prison if convicted on all charges.
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