The federal sex crimes trial against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has taken a procedural twist following the dismissal of a seated juror due to what the court deemed a troubling lack of candor.
On Monday, June 16, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian formally removed Juror No. 6 from the high-profile case after a series of inconsistent statements regarding the juror’s residence and living arrangements raised concerns about his credibility.
In court, Judge Subramanian stated that while the discrepancies might seem minor on the surface, the conflicting responses undermined the juror’s basic qualifications.
“The juror is unable to answer simple questions,” the judge said, citing four different and contradictory accounts of where the juror lives and with whom—ranging from a fiancée and infant daughter in the Bronx to an aunt in New York and a girlfriend in New Jersey.
“These are serious questions about the juror’s candor and ability to follow instructions,” Subramanian added. He noted that while the issue may appear “trivial,” it “goes to a juror’s basic criteria to serve” and raises doubt about the truthfulness of responses to case-relevant questions.
Defense attorneys for Combs vigorously opposed the removal, claiming the prosecution’s effort to have the juror excused was racially motivated.
In a June 15 letter, Combs’ legal team asserted that the dismissal lacked a “factual basis” and warned that their client would be “substantially prejudiced” by the loss of the Black male juror. They renewed a request for a mistrial if the juror’s dismissal proceeded.
Despite the objection, the court went forward with the removal. Though no formal replacement has been announced, one of six alternate jurors—who have been observing the trial proceedings from the gallery—will likely fill the vacancy. The trial, now in its seventh week, is expected to continue with minimal disruption unless further motions are raised.
The case against Combs includes allegations of sex trafficking and other federal offenses, though he has denied all wrongdoing.
The dismissal of Juror No. 6 adds yet another layer of legal complexity in what has already become one of the most closely watched trials in recent years.
