Diddy’s attorney accuses the prosecution of racism for trying to get rid of a Black juror based on the color of his skin.
A member of Sean “Diddy” Combs‘ legal team filed a brief to Judge Arun Subramanian on Sunday, June 15, claiming that the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which is trying the case, is attempting to dismiss this juror during what is called the “voir dire.”
Diddy defense calls prosecution’s move racist
The “voir dire” refers to the legal process of questioning jurors to assess their suitability for a specific case. It’s a French phrase meaning “to speak the truth.”
The defense says prosecutors are going “to take advantage of an opportunity to strike yet another Black male from the jury.”
Diddy’s team calls for mistrial for the 3rd time
The attorney, Xavier Donaldson, said prosecutors are using the juror’s alleged inconsistencies as a pretense to remove him or her, and is calling for a mistrial if the judge follows through on the prosecution’s request, according to TMZ.
How many people of color are jurors?
The Daily Mail reported that five of the jurors are Black. Overall, multiple media outlets stated that five of the jurors are White and eight are people of color.
This is the third time that the defense has called for a mistrial.
Diddy’s premise for keeping that Black juror in question is that Blacks would be less likely to serve on a jury in the future as a result of the juror’s dismissal.
The judge has yet to rule on the prosecution’s or defense’s legal filings.
Diddy is facing life in prison if he is convicted on all three federal charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. Diddy has always maintained his innocence, saying that all sexual activities that popped off at his infamous “freak-offs” around the country were consensual.
