A juror in the federal trial involving Sean “Diddy” Combs has been dismissed after more than three weeks of testimony in Manhattan.
Judge Arun Subramanian announced the removal of Juror Number 6 on Monday morning, citing inconsistencies in the juror’s stated residency. The decision followed arguments from both the prosecution and defense, prompted by discrepancies discovered in the voir dire process.
At different points in jury selection, Juror No. 6 reportedly gave conflicting answers about where he lives—alternating between the Bronx and New Jersey. Judge Subramanian emphasized that the integrity of the trial required clarity. With several alternate jurors available, he said there was no need to retain someone whose eligibility remained uncertain.
Juror No. 6 is a 41-year-old Black Hispanic man who works as the head account clerk at Edgecombe Correctional Facility in Upper Manhattan. He oversees payroll for correctional officers and disclosed during voir dire that he has prior legal history, including an insurance fraud arrest and a settled civil lawsuit against the Port Authority following a back injury on an escalator.
Defense attorney Xavier Donaldson strongly objected to the dismissal, calling it a step backward. He urged the court to allow the juror to return and explain himself. Donaldson highlighted that the juror was one of the few Black individuals on the panel, making his inclusion essential to preserving the trial’s fairness and representation. However, the court did not reverse its decision.
Replacing Juror No. 6 is a 57-year-old alternate from Westchester County. The court has not disclosed which alternate will officially take the seat moving forward.
During voir dire, the dismissed juror revealed personal interests that added texture to his profile. He identified as a fan of reggaeton and 1990s hip-hop and said he supports the New York Mets, not the more locally popular Yankees.
His removal raises broader questions about the complexities of juror vetting in high-profile cases, especially those involving influential Black public figures. The defense’s objection reflects ongoing concerns about racial diversity in jury selection, particularly in federal courtrooms where minority representation often falls short.
While the trial presses on, the jury’s composition remains under scrutiny. With testimony already spanning weeks, and a cloud of controversy hanging over jury dynamics, every voice counts—and every dismissal reshapes the case’s atmosphere.
Though Juror No. 6 is now gone, his brief presence underscored the importance of transparency and representation in a case already filled with public attention, legal tension, and cultural weight.
Diddy’s federal trial has had testimony from the mogul’s ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, former assistant Capricorn Clark, and entertainer Kid Cudi. It remains unknown if Diddy himself will testify.
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