A prospective juror in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ongoing federal trial was dismissed on Tuesday, May 6, after expressing concerns about the fairness of the proceedings, suggesting the music mogul could potentially “buy his way out of jail.”
The remarks were made during the second day of jury selection at the U.S. District Court in Manhattan.
When asked to clarify her statement, the juror — identified as Juror 48 — told Judge Arun Subramanian, “Diddy has a lot of money to use at his discretion and possibly buy his way out of jail.” When pressed further, she admitted she was unsure how to explain her reasoning.
The woman also disclosed a past personal trauma involving an attempted sexual assault and criticized the police response to such incidents.
Following these revelations, she was excused from the jury pool.
Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, is facing multiple charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for the purpose of prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty.
The case stems from an indictment filed in September 2024, which alleges that Combs organized what prosecutors described as “elaborate and produced sex performances” involving coerced women and male sex workers.
Jury selection, which began this week, involves narrowing a pool of nearly 600 potential jurors to 12 jurors and 6 alternates, while ensuring they can remain impartial amid intense media coverage.
The court also confirmed that the jury will remain anonymous to protect members from potential threats or harassment.
During proceedings, potential jurors were asked if they were familiar with a list of public figures, including Kanye West, Michael B. Jordan, Mike Myers, and Kid Cudi.
Although several jurors recognized some names, they asserted it would not affect their ability to fairly consider the evidence.
Of note, Combs’ ex-partner Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, who previously filed a civil lawsuit against him, is listed to testify under her legal name.
While Michael B. Jordan’s name appeared during jury questioning, sources have indicated he will not be called as a witness; his name reportedly surfaced due to a past brief relationship with Ventura mentioned in her lawsuit.
Combs, who appeared in court dressed in a blue blazer, white shirt, gray pants, and black-rimmed glasses, was seen hugging his legal team upon arrival.
The trial continues, with jury selection expected to proceed throughout the week as both sides work to finalize the panel for what is anticipated to be a high-profile and closely watched case.
