A juror in the Sean “Diddy” Combs sex trafficking trial has been removed after giving “inconsistent” answers about where he lives. Before the judge finalized his ruling on Monday morning, Combs’ lawyers opposed the decision, writing in a motion over the weekend that “Combs would be substantially prejudiced by the dismissal” of a Black male from the jury.
The question of whether Juror No. 6 would be dismissed was discussed by the attorneys throughout the past week of the Combs trial, after the judge observed “inconsistencies” in how he spoke about his residence. During jury selection, the juror indicated on a questionnaire that he lived in the Bronx with his fiancée and baby daughter. But weeks later, in an offhand conversation during a break, the man told another juror he had recently moved in with his girlfriend in New Jersey.
The court then questioned the juror about where he lived, and he clarified that he has an apartment in the Bronx where he sleeps during the week, but he spends time with his daughter and her mother in New Jersey. He also at one point mentioned living with an aunt, later omitting her.
On Friday, Judge Arun Subramanian said he found “several inconsistencies” between the juror’s answers in the court transcripts, which he said could point to a desire to “shade answers” or “be deceptive” in an effort to get on the jury. The judge stressed the importance of court action if there is any evidence of a juror with a “personal agenda.”
“There are serious questions about the juror’s candor and the juror’s ability to follow the court’s instructions,” Subramanian said, adding that they have six alternate jurors to preserve the “integrity” of the court. “Removal of the juror is required, in this court’s view.”
One of Combs’ lawyers, Xavier Donaldson, stood up and objected to the judge’s inclination, saying it is “very, very common” for New Yorkers to move between the city and New Jersey. He said he believed the court was “equating inconsistencies with lying.”
“I do believe he will be able to follow instructions,” Donaldson said, adding that Juror No. 6 has been “awake — I can’t say they all have been awake.”
The defense’s main objection pertained to the juror’s race, as Donaldson said this trial’s jury is the most diverse jury he has seen in his three-decade career. “That part is important to me and my client,” Donaldson said, adding that if the court were to dismiss the juror, it would be “a step backward.”
“I don’t generally play the race card unless I have it in my hand,” Donaldson said.
Federal prosecutors took issue with Donaldson’s implication, saying they are not making decisions based on race, and “it’s a wonderful thing” the jury is diverse. They added that they had observed all of the jurors, including the alternates, paying close attention to the court proceedings.
Combs’ criminal trial continues into its sixth week, as the Bad Boy Records mogul pleads not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. The prosecution plans to finish presenting its case this week, at which point the defense will have the chance to call its own witnesses.
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