New York Judge Dismisses Juror in Diddy Sex Trafficking Trial

In the ongoing sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, a juror was dismissed by Judge Arun Subramanian after inconsistencies were found in the juror's statements regarding his residence, raising concerns about his honesty and potential motives for remaining on the jury. Despite objections from Combs' defense team, who argued the dismissal would reduce jury diversity by replacing one of the few Black jurors with a white alternate, the judge emphasized that race could not factor into the decision and rejected claims of prosecutorial misconduct. The dismissed juror, who gave conflicting accounts of living in New York and New Jersey, was replaced by a 57-year-old white man from the alternate pool. Combs’ attorneys have expressed that the dismissal prejudices their client and requested a mistrial, but the judge denied this motion, maintaining the integrity of the judicial process. The trial, now in its sixth week, involves serious charges against Combs, including racketeering and sex trafficking, with prosecutors expected to rest their case soon. Witness testimonies have included allegations of orchestrated sex parties and efforts to silence victims through violence and blackmail, while Combs continues to plead not guilty.