Diddy challenged the dismissal of a Black juror in his trial, accusing prosecutors of concentrating on Black panelists to make sure conviction.
Diddy is pushing again in courtroom after one in every of solely two Black male jurors was dismissed from his federal trial, together with his authorized staff accusing prosecutors of systematically eradicating Black jurors to safe a conviction.
In an emergency movement filed to Choose Subramanian on Sunday (June 16), attorneys for Diddy argued that the elimination of Juror #6, who had given conflicting details about his residence, was not solely unjustified however a part of a broader sample.
The juror initially said that he lived within the Bronx together with his fiancée and daughter, however later revealed that he had moved to New Jersey together with his girlfriend. He claimed he nonetheless spent a lot of the week in New York.
The decide agreed with the prosecution’s request to take away the juror, citing a “lack of candor” and saying the shifting story urged an try to stay on the panel dishonestly. An alternate juror has since taken his place.
Diddy’s protection staff objected, calling the transfer dangerous to the racial make-up of the jury and warning it may discourage minority participation in future trials.
“The equity of the trial relies upon partially on having jurors with backgrounds just like Mr. Combs shai·e their views on the proof with different jurors from numerous backgrounds throughout deliberations. Eradicating this specific juror will deprive Mr. Combs of that neutral perspective, and it’s no reply to easily say that there are different black jurors, or different males, on the jury,” Diddy’s lawyer Alexandra A.E. Shapiro mentioned.
The protection additionally pointed to a troubling sample. Of the 9 peremptory strikes utilized by the prosecution, seven have been in opposition to Black jurors. The protection claims this exhibits a transparent effort to cut back Black illustration on the jury.
The jury initially consisted of 5 Black jurors, 4 white jurors, two Hispanic jurors, and one Asian juror. Most alternates are white.
“If the Comt dismisses Juror #6, the unfair prejudice from changing him with the primary alternate at this late stage of the proceedings warrants a mistrial,” Shapiro mentioned.
Diddy is going through 5 federal prices, together with racketeering conspiracy, two counts of intercourse trafficking by power, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transporting people for prostitution.
Prosecutors allege he used his affect and enterprise empire to arrange coercive sexual occasions, often called “freak-offs” and “King Nights” over twenty years.
If convicted, Diddy may face life in jail. The trial resumes on Monday (June 16).
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