Judge moves toward nixing juror in Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial over 'lack of candor'
The judge in Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex-crimes trial moved closer to dismissing a juror, two days after prosecutors raised issues about the man's alleged "lack of candor with the court."
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian indicated he would be ordering for Juror No. 6's removal from the 12-person jury on Friday, June 13. Six alternates have been on the sidelines in the trial, which is wrapping its sixth week in Manhattan federal court.
In court, Subramanian said, "Removal of the juror is required" and added, "The juror will be dismissed." The reason was "several inconsistencies" in the man's answers regarding where he lives.
Subramanian continued, "The juror is unable to answer simple questions. … There are serious questions about the juror's candor and ability to follow instructions."
Though it "seems like a trivial matter," it "goes to a juror's basic criteria to serve," he said. Because of the "changing answers and inconsistency," Subramanian said it brings up questions about whether the juror was truthful in responding to other questions more directly related to the case.
Defense attorney Xavier Donaldson objected to the juror's dismissal. Subramanian responded that he would continue to take the issue under consideration over the weekend.
Diddy on trial newsletter: Step inside the courtroom with our daily updates.
According to the judge, Juror No. 6 offhandedly told a member of the jury department that he had recently moved in with his girlfriend in New Jersey, where he had been staying most of the time.
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When asked where he lived during jury selection in early May, he'd said he was living in the Bronx with his fiancée and baby daughter, Subramanian said.
In yet another interview, Juror No. 6 allegedly said he stayed four to five nights each week in an apartment in New York, where he worked and completed jury responsibilities. He'd also mentioned living with his aunt in New York.
Before the jury entered the courtroom June 11, prosecutors reportedly asked the judge to oust one of them, known as Juror No. 6, according to outlets including NBC News and CNN.
Per NBC News and The Washington Post, Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey told Subramanian she saw "what appeared to be a lack of candor with the court" from Juror No. 6 "that raises serious issues."
Alexandra Shapiro from Combs' team reportedly pushed back against the request, calling it "a thinly veiled effort to dismiss a Black juror, The Post and ABC News reported.
Combs, 55, was arrested in September and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty.
Contributing: Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Diddy trial's Juror No. 6 could be dismissed 6 weeks into trial
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