Diddy faced a delay in his federal racketeering and sex trafficking case Wednesday (June 18) after a juror reported being too ill to attend court due to vertigo, a condition that causes dizziness and balance issues.
The absence forced Judge Arun Subramanian to cancel the entire day’s proceedings in the high-profile trial.
The announcement came early Wednesday morning when Judge Subramanian informed the courtroom that one of the 12 seated jurors was experiencing vertigo and needed to remain home.
Without that juror, the court could not proceed with testimony.
Judge Subramanian instructed the remaining jurors to return Friday (June 21) at 8:30 a.m. for a shortened session, which will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The early dismissal is to accommodate another juror attending their child’s graduation. There will be no court on Wednesday (June 19) in observance of Juneteenth, which is a federal holiday.
When the court resumes Friday, prosecutors are expected to call several key witnesses, including DeLeassa Penland, a federal agent who has already testified in the case.
Also scheduled to appear is Brendan Paul, Diddy’s former assistant, who prosecutors allege helped transport narcotics.
The trial centers on five serious federal charges against Diddy: racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution.
Diddy has denied all allegations.