NEW YORK (AP) — A judge dismissed a juror in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial on Monday, determining that the juror’s inconsistent statements about his residency suggested ulterior motives for wanting to stay on the jury.
Judge Arun Subramanian made the announcement after declining to discuss concerns raised by Combs’ lawyers. He also rejected their argument that replacing Black jurors with white ones disrupted the diversity of the jury.
Initially, Subramanian disclosed his decision to dismiss the juror after questions emerged regarding whether the juror lived in New York or New Jersey. Despite several defense attorneys objecting, he postponed confirming the final decision until Monday.
According to the judge, a review of the juror’s responses regarding his place of residence during jury selection, alongside similar queries later, showed a “clear inconsistency.”
“All of this raises significant concerns about the juror’s honesty and whether he obscured his answers to remain on the jury,” he stated.
The judge emphasized that keeping this juror could jeopardize the integrity of the judicial process.
“The courts should not introduce a competitive factor in determining outcomes. The answer here is quite evident. Juror Clause No. 6 is just an excuse,” Subramanian noted before resuming testimony related to Juror Clause No. 6.
He conveyed disappointment over the defense’s attempt to raise race as an issue in a letter over the weekend, accusing prosecutors of misconduct.
“There was no evidence of any prosecutorial misconduct that has drawn the court’s attention—none,” he remarked.
Prosecutors anticipate taking a break this week as the trial continues into its sixth week.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy. Throughout the trial, he has worked closely with his legal team and displayed agreement when his lawyers mentioned external issues involving the judge.
Previously, the judge warned him that he could be removed from court after observing Combs nodding toward the juror, suggesting an attempt to sway jury opinion.
Recently, prosecutors noted Combs had been nodding with the juror in the deliberation room and occasionally shaking his head, although he was no longer making eye contact with the juror.
Combs was arrested at a New York hotel last September, has been denied bail multiple times, and has been held in a federal detention center in Brooklyn since then.
