Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Trial Jury Troubles Begin Within One Hour of Deliberations

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The jury deliberating on the federal criminal case against Sean “Diddy” Combs in a Manhattan federal courthouse is facing some initial difficulties. They’ve expressed concerns about one juror not adhering to the judge’s instructions and have posed several questions to the judge through notes during the first few days since receiving the case on Monday.

After 60 minutes into their first day of deliberations on Monday, Foreperson of the 12-member jury sent a message to Judge Aron Subramanian, indicating that one juror was causing a significant problem which needed immediate attention. This note was subsequently read by both the prosecution, defense team, and the defendant.

As a dedicated gamer, I find myself in a peculiar situation here. I’ve got my eyes on one of the jurors who seems to be having trouble grasping the judge’s instructions. Could I possibly have a quick chat with your honor, or maybe you could arrange an interview with him? I believe it would help ensure fairness and accuracy in our proceedings.

The individual mentioned in the letter is juror number 25, a 51-year-old resident of Manhattan who has a background in molecular biology and currently works as a vet, as reported by Reuters. Subramanian appeared hesitant to take any quick extraordinary steps concerning the note and request, instead urging the jury to focus on their tasks and continue with the instructions they received earlier in the day.

Subramanian emphasized to each juror the responsibility they have for discussing the case and adhering to his legal guidance, which he provided. He politely asked them to ‘kindly carry on with your deliberations’ regarding the case.

It’s uncertain if Subramanian will intervene in the case of juror number 25, as it depends on whether the issue continues. The judge choosing not to act suggests he believes the matter can be resolved among the jurors themselves. On Monday, he released the five alternate jurors but requested they stay available if needed by the court. This isn’t the first time a problem has occurred with a juror selected for this case; during the six weeks of testimony, a male juror was dismissed when it was found that he splits his time between the Bronx and New Jersey, outside of the Southern District of New York’s jurisdiction.

To kick off this week, Subramanian urged the 12 jurors determining Combs’ verdict to concentrate on the evidence provided to them, instead of the details as they unfolded during the presentation.

During the trial, the decisions I’ve made don’t indicate my personal opinion on whether or not the defendant’s guilt has been conclusively established,” stated Subramanian.

Combs, who is currently in custody without bail in Brooklyn, has denied guilt for five charges mentioned in an indictment, including sex trafficking and racketeering. If convicted on all counts, he could potentially spend the rest of his life in prison.

On a Monday, Combs attended court where the jury received the case. Following their departure from the courtroom, as reported by the Associated Press, the defendant appeared to falter in his seat for a while before rising and addressing the spectators in the gallery. Family members and close friends of the defendant were present, and they soon bent their heads in prayer. Combs, standing nearby, followed suit and joined them in applause upon the conclusion of their prayers. He continued clapping even as he turned away from the spectators again.

Additionally, Combs showed the audience two books he’s currently engrossed in: “The Power of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale and “The Happiness Advantage” penned by Shawn Achor.

The federal prosecution concluded their presentation following six weeks of testimonies from Combs’ former partners, personal assistants, federal agents, and various figures from his once influential media and music industry. The prosecution claims that this empire served as an alleged criminal organization involved in trafficking two of his girlfriends and compelling them into prolonged sessions of drug-fueled sexual activities. The defense then decided not to present any witnesses in their response.

On Monday, the jury requested additional guidance from Judge Subramanian, inquiring about what actions specifically constitute drug distribution – a point relevant to the federal charges against Combs, which involve racketeering conspiracy. The jury’s query centered around whether someone requesting an illicit substance from a person accused of distributing drugs could be considered criminal distribution. Judge Subramanian planned to address this question on Tuesday.

On Tuesday morning, the jury asked for three transcripts pertaining to the testimonies. Two of these transcripts were focused on Cassie Ventura, a woman who dated the defendant for nearly a decade and was referred to as “Victim 1” in the government’s indictment against Combs. The requested transcripts covered three significant instances during her testimony:

1. Her account of the physical assault she experienced at the hands of Combs, which took place at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles.
2. Her description of events that occurred at the Cannes Film Festival, where Ventura claims Combs showed her a video of her having sexual activity.
3. The testimony of escort Daniel Phillip regarding an incident at an Essex hotel, where Ventura was found to be slumped over in a weakened state.

On Tuesday afternoon, there was a dispute between the prosecution and defense as to which parts of the proposed testimonies needed to be re-presented to the jury.

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2025-07-01 23:54