Sean Combs trial: Judge dismisses juror
Judge Arun Subramanian, who is overseeing the federal criminal trial against hip-hop tycoon Sean Combs, has dismissed one of the jurors who has been hearing the case and replaced him with an alternate juror.
The original juror, known as Juror No. 6, has given inconsistent answers about his place of residence. When he was seated on the jury, he said that he lived in The Bronx, a borough of New York City and an area within the bounds of the Southern District of New York, with his fiancée. Last week, however, the juror told a court staff member that he recently moved in with his girlfriend in New Jersey, which is outside the jurisdiction of SDNY. Prosecutors expressed concerns that the man was not being candid.
Subramanian dismissed Juror No. 6 as court concluded on Friday afternoon; on Monday, the judge upheld that decision.
The original juror, a man of color, will be replaced with an alternate juror who is a white man. The defense team had vigorously argued to allow Juror No. 6 to stay, saying that replacing him would pose an unfair disadvantage to Combs as a Black defendant.
In his ruling Monday, Subramanian said that he took the defense’s argument seriously, but ultimately that his concerns about the juror’s “candor and whether he shaded answers to get on and stay on the panel” of such a high-profile case prevailed.
Prosecutors have also repeatedly raised concerns that they have observed Combs nodding at jurors, visibly reacting to testimony and otherwise trying to engage with the jury as federal witnesses have testified against him. Earlier in the trial, Subramanian admonished Combs and told the defense team that their client needed to stop such behavior, saying that it was “absolutely unacceptable.” The judge added that Combs would be barred from the courtroom if he continued. Last Friday, the prosecution raised the issue again. Subramanian said while it was impossible to police every reaction in the courtroom, Combs had previously been warned and should know how to behave.
What are your unique holiday traditions? NPR wants to know
The holiday season is full of traditions and we all celebrate them a bit differently. NPR wants to your most unique holiday traditions. What makes celebrating this time of year feel special for you?
What are your unique holiday traditions? NPR wants to know
The holiday season is full of traditions and we all celebrate them a bit differently. NPR wants to your most unique holiday traditions. What makes celebrating this time of year feel special for you?
3 culinary tricks that might get you to eat more veggies, according to chef Roy Choi
Chef Roy Choi, known for his Korean-Mexican fusion food trucks, focuses on veggie-forward dishes in a new cookbook. He shares techniques to get you excited about your greens, plus 3 flavorful sauces.
Trade tensions hang over Trump’s Asia trip, but he still aims to make a deal
President Trump plans to attend a summit in Malaysia before meeting the new Japanese prime minister in Tokyo and talking to Chinese President Xi Jinping in Korea.
3 culinary tricks that might get you to eat more veggies, according to chef Roy Choi
Chef Roy Choi, known for his Korean-Mexican fusion food trucks, focuses on veggie-forward dishes in a new cookbook. He shares techniques to get you excited about your greens, plus 3 flavorful sauces.
Blue Jays rout Dodgers 11-4 in World Series opener
Addison Barger launched the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history, as the Toronto Blue Jays overwhelmed the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener Friday night in Toronto.
