Whereas a lot of the main focus has been on Sean “Diddy” Combs himself throughout his ongoing sex-trafficking trial, the jury has additionally been a subject of debate. Earlier this week, Juror No. 6 was formally dismissed as a consequence of inconsistencies discovered inside their statements about residency. Now, it could appear that yet one more member of the jury is beneath hearth for a distinct purpose. The scenario is ready to be addressed this week and, because the scenario continues to unfold, an knowledgeable is weighing in on how this newest matter would possibly’ve been averted.
This newest juror is reportedly being examined for presumably discussing the case with a colleague. Particular particulars of the supposed conversations haven’t been publicly divulged although, at current, the protection is arguing that the person be faraway from the jury. David S. Seltzer, an lawyer, mentioned the scenario with Fox Information, saying that the case now has a “tainted juror.” Seltzer attributed the difficulty to presiding choose Arun Subramanian, who he stated ought to’ve sought to sequester the jury early on:
She or he is discussing the information of this case outdoors the presence of the jury, as instructed by the courtroom, which, once more, circles again to day considered one of this trial. Why wasn’t the jury sequestered?
Juror-based questions arose even earlier than the trial started in Could, with reviews indicating that it could be “troublesome” to assemble a 12-person jury. The supposed purpose was the case’s high-profile standing, which might’ve theoretically made it laborious for members of most people to not concentrate on Sean Combs’ authorized woes and type an opinion on them early on. David S. Seltzer’s additional feedback on the jury challenge appear to align with the notion of how a lot these on the panel have been uncovered to exterior sources of data from the leap:
To keep away from these points, the jury shouldn’t be supposed to take a look at social media. The jury shouldn’t be alleged to learn the information. The jury was instructed to not talk about it on the practice, to not speak to your husband or spouse or accomplice, to mainly stay in a bubble for all this time. It’s unimaginable.
Nonetheless, the jury was finalized close to the center of this previous Could, although that milestone was accompanied by claims of racial discrimination from Diddy’s workforce. Protection lawyer Marc Agnifilo took challenge with seven Black jurors being struck from the choice course of, saying that he observed a “sample.” Maurene Comey, a prosecutor for the U.S. Lawyer’s workplace, attributed the eliminations to components just like the people’ prior information of the case, language limitations and emotions on legislation enforcement. Decide Subramanian dominated that Agnifilo and co. “failed to point out purposeful discrimination.”
Jurors have been listening to testimony from varied people over the previous few weeks, with many having leveled claims in opposition to Sean Combs. The rapper’s ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, took the stand and shared particulars concerning the alleged sexual acts that Combs made her carry out with male escorts. A buddy of Ventura’s, Bryana Bongolan, additionally claimed that Combs dangled her from a seventeenth flooring balcony throughout a heated confrontation. Rapper Child Cudi additionally testified about alleged house invasion and arson-related incidents.
The protection is anticipated to start making its case comparatively quickly and, given the costs of sex-trafficking and racketeering conspiracy he’s dealing with, Diddy may spend as much as life in jail if discovered responsible. Relating to the jury, a choice on this newest juror’s destiny has but to be introduced, as of this writing.