Photo Credit:NBC Newyork
In a dramatic moment during the ongoing federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian dismissed a 41-year-old Black juror, identified as Juror No. 6 after discovering contradictory statements about his place of residence. Though the trial is being held in the Southern District of New York (which includes Manhattan and the Bronx), the juror initially said during voir dire that he lived in the Bronx with his fiancée and daughter, but later told a court staffer he had moved to New Jersey. The judge ruled that this discrepancy raised serious concerns about the juror’s candor and ability to follow the court’s instructions.
Judge Subramanian emphasized that a juror’s honesty is crucial, claiming that even minor inconsistencies about residency can undermine confidence in the fairness of verdicts. He noted that although the juror may technically still be qualified, his shifting answers suggested he may have “shaded the truth … to get on and stay on the jury”.
Combs’s defense team vehemently opposed the dismissal, asserting that removing a Black juror and replacing him with a 57‑year‑old white accountant from Westchester County was racially discriminatory. They submitted a 14‑page letter arguing there was “no valid basis” for removal and warned the decision would diminish racial diversity on the panel, which originally included five Black jurors that has now reduced to four.
Judge Subramanian rejected arguments that race played any role in his decision. Citing the Supreme Court’s Batson precedent, he reiterated that juror removal must be based solely on lawful criteria, such as honesty and competence—not race. He said, “it would instead be racist” to keep a juror who provides inconsistent, unreliable testimony merely to preserve diversity.
The trial has now entered its sixth week, with prosecutors expected to rest soon before the defense begins presenting its own witnesses. Combs, 55, faces charges including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transporting individuals for prostitution, charges he vehemently denies. If found guilty, he could face life in prison.