A juror in the ongoing sex trafficking trial involving Sean “Diddy” Combs may be removed from the proceedings after concerns were raised about their “lack of candor,” according to court reports. Judge Arun Subramanian confirmed that he is weighing the prosecution’s motion to dismiss the juror, though no further details about the alleged behavior have been disclosed.
Diddy’s legal team is pushing back, suggesting that the motion to remove the juror may be racially motivated. “It’s a thinly veiled effort to dismiss a Black juror,” his attorneys argued in court.
This isn’t the first time racial dynamics in jury selection have come into focus during the trial. In its early stages, Diddy’s team criticized prosecutors for attempting to exclude Black jurors, however, Judge Subramanian ruled that the prosecution had presented “race-neutral reasons” for their challenges at the time.
The rap mogul himself has also drawn criticism for his conduct in court. Judge Subramanian previously admonished Diddy for making exaggerated facial expressions and nodding toward jurors during witness testimony. “This can’t continue,” the judge warned. “I will give a limiting instruction you won’t like or other measures, including barring your client from the courtroom. Do you understand?”
Diddy’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo, assured the court that the behavior would stop, and the judge reiterated the warning: “This cannot happen again.”
Throughout the trial, Diddy has maintained a visible presence, often passing notes to his legal team and interacting with family members in the gallery, including blowing kisses to his mother during proceedings.