Diddy Trial Juror Dismissed Over Residency Issue, Defense Calls The Move A Veiled Effort To Dismiss A Black Juror

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs

Diddy Trial Juror Dismissed Over Residency Issue, Defense Calls The Move A Veiled Effort To Dismiss A Black Juror

A juror in Diddy’s federal trial was dismissed Monday (June 16) over conflicting answers about where he lives.

U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian removed the 41-year-old juror after raising “concerns about his candor and whether he shaded answers to get on and stay on the panel.” The juror gave inconsistent responses about living in both the Bronx and New Jersey. Jurors must reside in the Southern District of New York, which includes Manhattan, the Bronx, and parts of the Hudson Valley.

 

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Lead prosecutor Maurene Comey requested the dismissal last week. While the judge initially questioned whether an inquiry was needed, he later concluded the dismissal was necessary and replaced the juror with a 57-year-old architect from Westchester County.

The defense strongly opposed the move. Attorney Alexandra Shapiro called it “a thinly veiled effort to dismiss a Black juror,” while lawyer Xavier Donaldson argued the dismissal would reduce jury diversity.

Diddy is on trial for sex trafficking and racketeering charges. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

Thoughts?