Diddy’s federal trial for sex trafficking and racketeering has officially lost a juror.
According to Complex’s Shawn Setaro, a Black male juror was dismissed on Monday after inconsistencies surfaced regarding where he lives. During jury selection, the man stated he lived in the Bronx with his fiancée and baby daughter. But last week, in an offhand comment, he mentioned having recently moved to New Jersey.
That statement triggered a deeper review from U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian. When questioned, the juror initially said he primarily resides in New Jersey, but later clarified he stays in an apartment in New York four to five nights a week. Despite fierce objections from Diddy’s legal team, the judge ruled that the discrepancies in his answers were enough to warrant his removal.
Diddy’s attorneys responded with a 13-page opposition letter dated June 15, arguing that dismissing the juror would “substantially prejudice” their client. They even pushed for a mistrial if the juror was removed. In the letter, lawyers Alexandra Shapiro and Teny Geragos accused prosecutors of overreach, including claims of surveillance while Diddy was in jail and alleged violations of his constitutional rights. They framed the case as a “coordinated effort to try to destroy one of the most successful Black men in American history.”
Last Friday brought even more drama, with a brief courtroom appearance—though not on the witness stand—from Kanye West, who has shown public support for Diddy, even announcing a Sean John x Yeezy collab with a “50/50” profit split.
The judge, citing an official transcript, made it clear that removing a juror is “the prerogative of the Court” and doesn’t need approval from either side. He described the initial conversation that raised red flags as “innocent enough,” but said the juror’s shifting story raised concerns about honesty and reliability, especially considering how crucial truthful answers were during jury selection.
Diddy, who’s been in custody since his arrest in September, continues to deny all charges. If convicted, he faces a significant prison sentence.
