Jury disbanded in trial of Sean "Combs" (Diddy), ruling made by judge.
The judge in the trial against music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has given the boot to one of the jurors, citing inconsistencies in the man's residence claims. The shakeup has sparked objections from Combs' legal team.
Juror Swift Changes: A juror, 41, was ousted from the trial on June 16, after the presiding judge, Arun Subramanian, picked up on some shady inconsistencies. Initially, the juror claimed he lived in the Bronx with his fiancée and daughter. Later, he confessed to a fellow juror that he had moved to New Jersey. At another point, he claimed he lived with his aunt.
The Skinny: Last week, Judge Subramanian voiced doubts about the juror's honesty due to these inconsistencies. The judge suspected that the man was either trying to deceive or hide something, implying a personal motive. Before the court made its decision public on Monday, Diddy's defense team raised objections, arguing that the exclusion of a Black juror would put the rapper at a significant disadvantage. The prosecution refuted these allegations, insisting that decisions are not based on skin color. Ultimately, the judge decided to replace the juror.
The Backdrop: The highly-publicized trial kicked off in Manhattan early May. Diddy, 55, is facing charges including sex trafficking, extortion, and promoting prostitution. He's accused of various misdeeds, including sexual assaults and violent outbursts, all of which he denies. The prosecution is expected to wrap up their case this week. The trial is set to carry on for several more weeks.
Bonus Info: The juror, who was replaced with a 57-year-old white man from Westchester, raised concerns about his honesty during jury selection. The prosecution raised concerns about the truthfulness of his answers, leading to his dismissal.
References:[1] U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.[2] Reporting by the New York Times and Variety.
- The juror's inconsistent statements about his residence, ranging from the Bronx to New Jersey and to his aunt's home, suggest a possible interest in entertainment news or celebrities, given Diddy's high-profile status.
- The replacement juror, a white man from Westchester, had raised concerns about his honesty during jury selection, which brings crime-and-justice issues into focus in this general-news story about the trial against music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs.
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