A juror in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial may be removed after providing conflicting statements about his residency.
According to NBC News, Juror No. 6 was removed on Friday and is expected to be replaced by an alternate member. Originally, during the jury selection process, the juror mentioned residing in the Bronx, but prosecutors later noted that he informed a court staff member about his recent relocation to New Jersey.
Judge Arun Subramanian addressed the juror, who clarified that although he is transitioning to New Jersey, he still regards himself as a New York resident, spending weekdays in the city and holding a New York driver’s license. Given that the trial is occurring in a Manhattan federal court, jury participation is restricted to New York residents.
Subramanian expressed concerns about the juror’s statements, questioning his honesty and the discrepancies in his account.
He reportedly plans to speak with the juror again Monday before making a final decision on his removal.
The attorneys for Combs contended that the juror’s removal is an “attempt to discreetly eliminate a Black juror” and asserted that Subramanian might be “mistaking discrepancies for dishonesty.”
As previously reported by CrimeOnline, Combs was arrested on September 16, 2024, outside a Manhattan hotel on federal charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has been denied bail three times, with Judge Andrew L. Carter citing a “serious risk” of witness tampering.
Combs faces accusations of committing or facilitating sexual abuse in over 30 lawsuits.
On May 1, Combs rejected a plea deal in his federal sex trafficking and racketeering case. Jury selection and the trial began on May 12 and are expected to last two months.
Check back for updates.
Featured Image: FILE – Music mogul and entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs arrives at the Billboard Music Awards, May 15, 2022, in Las Vegas. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File
