Judge fires warning shot in Diddy trial as juror drama intensifies
Judge Arun Subramanian gave the defense and prosecution in Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial a stern warning Tuesday morning as the juror drama continued in court.
The federal judge noted that one or more people in the courtroom violated the court’s sealing order and revealed information about Friday’s private proceeding. Judge Subramanian referenced an article in the media.
He reminded the parties that the defense requested the gag order. Judge Subramanian continued that a violation of that order could result in contempt charges at the most extreme level.
DIDDY TRIAL JURY IN DISARRAY AS DEFENSE SEEKS TO BOOT ANOTHER JUROR
The federal judge told lead counsel, Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey and defense attorney Marc Agnifilo, that they are personally responsible for the conduct of the teams. "The buck stops with you…," he said in court.
Judge Subramanian said this was the only warning he would give and wanted each side to affirm they would adhere to the rules of this court.
Before testimony began Monday, Juror No. 6 was dismissed from the case. Discussion about dismissing juror No. 6 began last week after the prosecution pointed out inconsistencies in statements regarding his residency.
"There is nothing the juror can say at this point that can put the genie back in the bottle and repair his credibility…" the judge said in court ahead of trial testimony.
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Combs' legal team had asked to keep the juror due to his ethnicity and requested a mistrial should the juror be dismissed. As to the concerns about diversity, Judge Subramanian said this jury does not raise those concerns.
"The court cannot and should not let race factor into what it should do," the federal judge noted. Juror No. 6 was dismissed and was replaced by the first alternate juror. Judge Subramanian also noted there was no evidence of prosecutorial misconduct.
WATCH: LEGAL EXPERT QUESTIONS WHY DIDDY JURY WASN'T SEQUESTERED
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In a letter filed by the government on Monday, the U.S. Attorney's Office noted it does not oppose additional fact-finding with a second Diddy trial juror due to possible communications with a former colleague regarding jury service.
The prosecution wrote that the defense argued that if the court removed Juror No. 6, who was dismissed from the case, this second juror should also be excused.
The government said they disagreed with "linking the issues" involving these jurors, but said they are open to further questioning of the second juror.