Diddy trial updates: Jury in Sean Combs' case faces shake-up as more witnesses speak out
Diddy trial updates: Jury in Sean Combs' case faces shake-up as more witnesses speak out
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Witness Jane testimony wraps in Sean 'Diddy' Combs sex crimes trial
The final day of testimony from Witness Jane, an ex-girlfriend of Sean "Diddy" Combs is complete.
This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing.
A possible shake-up in the jury pool in Sean "Diddy" Combs' criminal trial looms as witnesses continue to come forward with allegations of abuse.
Attorneys for the embattled hip-hop mogul and prosecutors returned to Manhattan court on June 13 to hash out the trial eligibility of one of the jurors, anonymously identified as Juror No. 6, with Judge Arun Subramanian. The issue was first brought to the judge's attention while court was in session on June 10.
According to reports from CNN and NBC News, Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey told Subramanian the individual appeared to have "a lack of candor with the court." In response, Combs' attorney Alexandra Shapiro reportedly accused the prosecution of trying to get a Black juror dismissed, mirroring a similar claim raised by the defense during jury selection.
As the prosecution continues to build its case against Combs, jurors are expected to hear from one of Combs' assistants as well as a federal agent. This comes after the Grammy-winning rapper's ex-girlfriend, testifying under the pseudonym "Jane," gave harrowing accounts on the stand about her allegedly abusive relationship with Combs.
Combs, 55, was arrested in September and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty.
Diddy on trial newsletter: Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex-crimes charges.
Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling case that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry.
He was arrested in September 2024 and later charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. The rapper has pleaded not guilty to the five counts against him.
Discover WITNESS: Access our exclusive collection of true crime stories, podcasts, videos and more
Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity.
Using RICO law, which is typically aimed at targeting multi-person criminal organizations, prosecutors allege that Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in "freak offs" — sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors allege they have video of.
The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings.
USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom. Sign up for our newsletter for more updates.
Contributing: USA TODAY staff
If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) and Hotline.RAINN.org and en Español RAINN.org/es.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.
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