A missing key witness and unanswered questions have caught the prosecution off guard as Sean “Diddy” Combs’s federal sex-trafficking trial nears its final phase, threatening to undercut significant portions of their case.
At a Glance
- The prosecution called its final witnesses Monday, including former assistant Brendan Paul, and plans to rest soon
- Legal expert Neama Rahmani highlighted the absence of “Victim 3,” who failed to testify despite being named in the indictment
- Another potential witness, Kristina “KK” Khorram, Combs’s former Chief of Staff, was not called, raising questions of missed strategic opportunities
- Jury seating wasn’t sequestered, prompting warnings that emotional reactions could influence verdicts
- Combs’s defense plans to rest its case midweek, setting up closing arguments shortly after
The Case Taken to the Brink
The government’s case began wrapping up this week with testimony from a small set of accusers, including Brendan Paul, who testified under immunity about alleged drug use and “freak-off” parties. FBI Special Agent Joseph Cerciello also detailed surveillance evidence and digital forensics tied to the alleged trafficking network.
But gaps remain: “Victim 3,” named in the indictment, has not testified. Nor has Kristina “KK” Khorram, Combs’s former Chief of Staff, despite being described as instrumental to daily operations.
“A Self-Inflicted Wound”
Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani criticized the decision to list Victim 3 as part of the case without securing her appearance. As Fox News reported, Rahmani said such an omission risks weakening the entire prosecution narrative and could create avenues for reasonable doubt.
He also raised the concern that Combs’s vast resources could have played a role in influencing witness availability — a theory echoed by other legal observers following the trial.
Jury Strategy and Defense Leverage
The defense has questioned why the jury was not sequestered, given the emotional weight of key evidence — including video footage of an alleged assault involving singer Cassie Ventura. Some legal experts argue this risks blurring the line between emotional reaction and legal judgment.
What Comes Next?
Combs’s legal team has confirmed that the music mogul will not testify, leaving the defense’s final arguments to be made through cross-examinations and character witnesses. The defense is expected to rest midweek, with closing arguments anticipated before the July 4 holiday.
With key witnesses missing and critical evidence facing scrutiny, experts believe the case’s outcome may hinge on whether the jury perceives the government’s omissions as reasonable — or as fatal to its claims. The coming days may determine whether prosecutors miscalculated in a high-profile, high-stakes trial.
