In New York City, the federal jury for Diddy is adding an alternate member after a juror was removed by the judge following over three weeks of testimony.
On Monday morning, Judge Arun Subramanian dismissed juror number six after listening to the prosecution and defense debate concerning the juror’s residence.
The judge shared that while the jury was not present on Friday, he reviewed the voir dire segment of the trial and discovered discrepancies in the juror’s statements about living in the Bronx at various times and New Jersey at others.
He noted that the court has alternates for these situations and expressed that there’s no reason to retain a juror with so many uncertainties.
Replacing juror number six is an alternate juror from Westchester County, aged 57.
On Friday, Diddy’s legal representative, Xavier Donaldson, objected to the dismissal, arguing that removing a juror of colour was a significant setback and requested the judge to allow him to return to clarify his situation.
During the jury selection, juror number six identified himself as a 41-year-old black Hispanic man employed by the Department of Corrections.
The defense emphasized that one of their main reasons for wanting to keep him was due to his status as one of the few black jurors in the case.
Read also:
- Judge handling Diddy trial to address mistrial motion on Tuesday
- Diddy demands Mistrial again, accuses prosecutors of pushing false testimony about Balcony incident
- Diddy intoxicated furing Cassie assault, former Hotel security supervisor testifies in explosive federal trial
He serves as the chief accounting clerk at Edgecombe Correctional Facility, located in Upper Manhattan, where he handles payroll for correctional officers.
Prior to this trial, juror number six faced legal troubles himself, including suing and settling with the Port Authority, after reportedly injuring his back on an escalator.
He also disclosed a past arrest for committing insurance fraud linked to a doctor’s visit following a car accident.
Even though he resides in the Bronx, juror number six is not a supporter of the New York Yankees, instead, he stated that he cheers for the New York Mets.
He enjoys reggaeton music and hip-hop from the 1990s. It remains uncertain which alternate juror will take his position on the jury in the coming week.
