Juror dropped from Diddy trial over residency confusion
The man initially told the court he lived in the Bronx, but later claimed he had moved in with his girlfriend in New Jersey, triggering a week-long courtroom debate.
A juror in the high-profile sex trafficking trial of rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs has been removed after giving conflicting statements about where he resides, raising concerns about honesty and eligibility.
The man initially told the court he lived in the Bronx, but later claimed he had moved in with his girlfriend in New Jersey, triggering a week-long courtroom debate. Judge Arun Subramanian, overseeing the trial, cited “several inconsistencies” in the jurors' testimony and court records. He concluded the statements suggested a possible attempt to mislead the court during jury selection.
The judge ordered the juror’s dismissal on Friday, replacing him with a 57-year-old white male from Westchester. This move sparked objections from Combs’ legal team, who argued that removing a Black male juror jeopardized the jury’s diversity and fairness.
Prosecutors countered, citing a “lack of candour” and concerns about the juror’s credibility, noting that the juror had variously claimed to live with a fiancée, a daughter, and an aunt at different stages. When questioned in private, the juror claimed he was staying in the Bronx during the week, despite earlier saying he had relocated to New Jersey.
Judge Subramanian emphasized that maintaining the integrity of the trial outweighed demographic concerns.
The defence also suggested a mistrial if the juror was removed, but that request was not granted.
As the trial enters its sixth week, the prosecution is expected to wrap up its case soon, after which Combs' legal team will present their defence. The artist has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transporting individuals for prostitution.
