Juror in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Sex Trafficking Trial Likely to Be Dismissed

A juror in the Sean “Diddy” Combs sex trafficking trial is likely to be dismissed on Monday due to inconsistencies regarding his residence. This issue surfaced during a conversation Juror No. 6 had with the jury department. He indicated that he had moved to New Jersey a few weeks ago to live with his girlfriend, which raised concerns among legal counsels who sought clarification on his living situation.

Jurors in this case must reside in New York state, and district courts have the authority to replace a juror for any violation of this requirement. The juror, a 41-year-old Black male employed in communications at a correctional facility, initially claimed he was living in a New York apartment during the work week. His account later changed, as he mentioned living with his daughter and fiancée in the Bronx at one point and then stated he resided with his aunt there. These conflicting statements led to increased scrutiny of his credibility.

On Friday, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian expressed hesitance about dismissing the juror, suggesting there might be an innocent reason for the discrepancies. However, as more details emerged, he expressed growing concerns about the juror’s honesty, indicating that the juror either failed to follow simple instructions or was being deceptive. The judge cautioned that the juror’s removal from the trial might be necessary. Defense attorney Xavier Donaldson argued that the juror had answered questions regarding his residence truthfully and suggested bringing him back to court since he wished to continue serving on the jury.

On the other hand, prosecutors contended that the juror’s removal was crucial in upholding the integrity of the court proceedings. Sean Combs faces five criminal charges, including racketeering conspiracy and various counts of sex trafficking, which he has vehemently denied.