



One of the jurors in the Sean “Diddy Combs” sex-trafficking case was dismissed by a judge on Monday after he gave conflicting answers about where he lives, possibly indicating an agenda or wanting to stay on the jury for a purpose.
Combs’ attorneys argued against the ruling made by Judge Arun Subramanian, saying it would disrupt the diversity of the jury to replace a Black man with a white juror, according to Associated Press.
The 55-year-old music mogul has pleaded not guilty to a five-count indictment and faces a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted on all charges. He is facing charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, transportation for purposes of prostitution and racketeering conspiracy.
Combs was arrested in September 2024, about six months after federal authorities raided his homes in Los Angeles and Miami. He has been jailed in Brooklyn since his arrest and denied bail a number times.
During jury selection, the juror said he lived in the Bronx. But, prosecutors said, he told a court employee he recently moved to New Jersey.
Under questioning by the judge, the juror acknowledged moving, but said he retains a New York driver’s license and stays there during the week. Only New York residents can serve as Manhattan federal court jurors.
“Taking these all together, the record raised serious concerns as to the juror’s candor and whether he shaded answers to get on and stay on the jury,” the judge said.
Prosecutors have indicated they plan to rest shortly as the trial enters its sixth week.
Associated Press reported from the courtroom on Monday that prosecutors asked for a summary witness to read aloud text messages the jury had not heard before.
Combs’ ex-girlfriend, who testified under the pseudonym “Jane” for six days, complained to him in the texts about their “hotel nights” and sex marathon lifestyle, as well as the threats to release explicit videos of her having sex with other men.
Jane, who dated Combs from 2021 until his arrest last year, criticized Combs after his former longtime girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, filed a lawsuit alleging years of sexual abuse, control and violence.
“I was reading these pages, and they felt like a nightmare. I can’t believe I’m reading my own story,” she recalled on the stand while crying.
On Nov. 28, 2023, about two weeks after Combs settled the lawsuit, Jane told him she felt he exploited her with their “dark and humiliating lifestyle.” She wrote that for the three years they were together, she felt confused by their relationship and being with Combs had deprived her of work opportunities.
Editor’s note: Associated Press contributed to this article.
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