Diddy Trial: Juror Dismissed, Possibly Another

Yesterday, presiding U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian dismissed a juror for making misleading statements regarding his eligibility to serve on the Sean “Diddy” Combs racketeering and sex trafficking trial jury.

Juror number six, a 41-year-old male corrections officer, gave the court conflicting answers about his state of residence, ultimately disqualifying him from serving. NBC News reported that the juror has since been replaced by a 57-year-old accountant from Westchester County.

Combs' defense team has asked that a second juror be dismissed for speaking about the trial outside of the courtroom. On Friday, the judge questioned the juror, resulting in the juror handing his cellphone to the judge. A point of contention is that the jury is not sequestered.

Combs is charged with five criminal offenses, including one count of racketeering conspiracy (maximum sentence life in prison), two counts of sex trafficking (maximum sentence life in prison), plus two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution (maximum sentence 10 years in prison). (NBC News)

Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Prosecutors are expected to rest their case this week.

Sean "Diddy" Combs courtroom sketch (Via: Jane Rosenberg/Reuters)