Diddy’s Legal Team Says Feds Booted Black Juror to Tip Trial in Their Favor

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ defense team isn’t backing down. They’re accusing federal prosecutors of pushing for the removal of one of the only two Black male jurors in his trial for what they say are questionable, racially tinged reasons. The defense calls it not only prejudicial but a potential constitutional violation—and they’re asking the court to step in.

In a sharply worded letter to the judge, Diddy’s lawyers argue there’s no real evidence to justify kicking this juror off the case. They say the inconsistencies the government pointed to in the juror’s address and family status were harmless, and even the judge initially said the discrepancies could be innocent. But by the end of the day, the court decided the juror was either misleading or couldn’t follow simple instructions, choosing to dismiss him without another round of questioning.

That move didn’t sit right with Diddy’s team. They argue it strips away a key voice in the jury room—especially in a case revolving around relationships and allegations of coercion involving Black women and men. The defense insists the diversity of experiences and backgrounds on the jury matters—and removing this juror undercuts that.

But their concerns go deeper. They accuse the government of using seven out of nine peremptory strikes to remove Black jurors. They also point to the broader handling of the case, describing aggressive raids, pretrial leaks, surveillance, and a pattern of using minor details—like past arrests of relatives—to weed out Black jurors. In their view, the prosecution’s tactics echo a system that disproportionately polices and excludes Black Americans.

The letter frames this as part of a bigger picture: a high-profile attempt to take down one of the most successful Black men in entertainment history. Diddy’s lawyers argue the feds have blown up personal sexual relationships into racketeering and trafficking charges, weaponizing resources and the justice system to publicly destroy his image.

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From military-style home raids to attempts to paint his writings and conversations in jail as criminal, the defense paints a picture of overreach and bias. And now, they say, removing this juror is just one more step in an unfair process.

For Diddy’s team, the stakes aren’t just about one trial—they’re about who gets a fair shot in court and who’s seen as trustworthy enough to sit on a jury. They say dismissing this juror risks scaring off other potential jurors of color in future trials.
And if the court doesn’t reverse course? Diddy’s lawyers say a mistrial might be the only fair option left.