News | Entertainment
6 Jul 2025 16:13
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    A juror in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' trial has been dismissed

    The 55-year-old rapper is more than a month into his federal trial for charges including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking but last week, lead prosecutor Maurene Comey requested one of the jurors be dismissed for a "lack of candour"


    And while US District Judge Arun Subramanian had initially said on Friday (13.06.25) he was unsure an inquiry was needed, on further review, he has concluded the 41-year-old man had given inconsistent answers regarding his residency, having alluded to living in both the Bronx and New Jersey.

    The judge said he had "concerns about his candour and whether he shaded answers to get on and stay on the panel."

    The trial is taking place in Manhattan, meaning jurors must be residents of the Southern District of New York, which includes Manhattan, the Bronx, and parts of the Hudson Valley.

    The judge has dismissed the juror and he will be replaced with an alternate, a 57-year-old architect from Westchester County, who is white.

    The defense had argued against the juror's dismissal, with one of Combs' attorneys, Alexandra Shapiro, claiming the attempt to have him removed was a "thinly veiled effort to dismiss" a Black member of the panel, and another lawyer, Xavier Donaldson arguing dismissal would make the jury less diverse.

    The identity of the jurors - eight men and four women - are not being made public, but their ages range from their 30s to their 70s. Six alternates were also chosen, of which four are men and two women.

    The Bad Boy records founder has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.

    If convicted, he faces between 15 years and life in prison.

    Earlier this month, the judge warned Diddy to stop "nodding" in the direction of the jury after he was allegedly seen doing so during the testimony of Bryana Bongolan, a friend of his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.

    During a lunch break while the jury were out of the court room, Judge Subramanian told Combs' attorneys: "I was very clear there should be no facial expressions to the jury, and I could not have been clearer.

    "There was a line of questioning where your client was nodding vigorously and looking at the jury ... [This was] absolutely unacceptable ...

    "This can't continue or I will give a limiting instruction you won't like, or other measures including barring your client from the courtroom. Do you understand?"

    Combs' lawyer Marc Agnifilo told the judge it will not happen again.

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     06 Jul: Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial has been branded a "total failure" of the justice system
     06 Jul: Joshua Jackson and Eric Mabius "blushed scarlet red" when they bumped into each other "years" after their steamy gay sex scene in 'Cruel Intentions'
     06 Jul: Charlize Theron has spoken candidly about her sex life aged 49
     06 Jul: Sean Combs fell to his knees in a Manhattan courtroom as his trial verdict was read out, with legal experts calling the prosecution's case "a complete and total failure"
     06 Jul: Sean Combs told his family "I'll be home soon" and "I love you" as he was escorted from the courtroom by US Marshals after being acquitted of the most serious charges in his federal trial.
     06 Jul: Sean Combs' mother Janice Combs said she felt "incredible" moments after her son was cleared of the most serious criminal charges he faced
     06 Jul: Sean 'Diddy' Combs has been found guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution following an eight-week trial in New York - but he has been cleared of the most serious charges
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Scott Robertson is praising the impact of the All Blacks' four debutants in their scratchy 31-27 win over France in Dunedin More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Our newsroom's revealed more than 200 people were able to enter New Zealand on work visas for defunct businesses later exposed as fronts for a network of cannabis grow houses in Auckland More...



     Today's News

    International:
    Tour de France stage 1 chaotic as crashes and echelons hit main contenders 16:07

    Entertainment:
    Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial has been branded a "total failure" of the justice system 16:06

    Entertainment:
    Joshua Jackson and Eric Mabius "blushed scarlet red" when they bumped into each other "years" after their steamy gay sex scene in 'Cruel Intentions' 15:36

    Accident and Emergency:
    Parts of State Highway Three are being cleared, after flooding and slips, in Taranaki 15:27

    Entertainment:
    Charlize Theron has spoken candidly about her sex life aged 49 15:06

    Rugby League:
    Tragedy has hit the Queensland State of Origin camp days out from the series decider against New South Wales in Sydney 14:57

    International:
    Texas floods leave dozens dead, including children, as search continues for campers 14:47

    Entertainment:
    Sean Combs fell to his knees in a Manhattan courtroom as his trial verdict was read out, with legal experts calling the prosecution's case "a complete and total failure" 14:36

    International:
    Pakistan apartment collapse kills residents in impoverished Karachi neighbourhood 14:17

    Netball:
    The Steel are desperate to beat the Mystics in Auckland this afternoon and continue a late-season charge for a play-off spot in the ANZ Premiership 14:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd