Diddy Trial Update: Judge’s Demeanor, Jury Selection Scrutiny, and Witness Challenges Emerge
Court is not in session today in the Diddy case, but lawyers are scheduled to return tomorrow to finalize the selection of 12 jurors and six alternates. The trial is taking place in the Southern District of New York.
Significant attention is being paid to the judge overseeing the trial, Judge Arin Submaranian. Submaranian, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, was the first judge of South Asian descent to serve on the Southern District Court of New York. He is a graduate of Columbia Law School and previously clerked for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Concerns have been raised about the judge’s demeanor and a potentially “chummy” relationship with Sean “Diddy” Combs. On the trial’s first day, the judge reportedly joked around with Diddy about his many nicknames. Judge Submaranian also reportedly arrived at court dressed casually, prompting some to mistake him for a student. This casual approach, combined with joking, is seen by some as unusual for a judge.
Jury selection has involved questioning nearly 50 potential jurors over the past few days, with slightly more than half of the remaining pool excused for various reasons. The pool of potential jurors has included diverse backgrounds such as a middle school gym teacher, a mover, a massage therapist, an actor belonging to SAG and Actors’ Equity unions, and an HBO producer.
However, some potential jurors with ties to the entertainment or publishing industries have faced scrutiny or been dismissed. An HBO producer, who has worked on marketing materials for shows like The White Lotus, The Last of Us, and Real Time with Bill Maher, drew particular concern from Combs’s defense team. They highlighted that the associate streamer Max has aired a negative documentary series titled “The Fall of Diddy”. While the judge questioned the producer further about her role, he denied the defense’s application to strike her.
Conversely, a marketing executive at Simon & Schuster was excused because their bonus was tied to book sales, and the publishing house is releasing a memoir by Albure later this year. Other potential jurors were dismissed after admitting they had watched “The Fall of Diddy” or seen a video featuring a comedian joking about items found in Diddy’s home.
The composition of the jury reportedly includes five white men, four black men, three black women, two white women, and one Latino individual.
Potential challenges and developments are also emerging. A gag order may be necessary during the trial to prevent grounds for an appeal. A deputy district attorney for LA County discussed this possibility on TMZ Live, explaining that statements made outside of court could potentially be used by Diddy’s defense team to appeal a decision.
Furthermore, the prosecution has admitted they may proceed with the trial without a key witness. This woman, who was reportedly coerced into certain acts, will potentially not take the stand. The prosecution team stated during jury selection this week that they have been having trouble contacting her or her lawyer, who is dealing with undisclosed personal issues. It remains unclear if this witness intends to appear, and prosecutors are actively trying to find out. Her potential absence is seen as a possible blow to the prosecution’s case.
Despite the serious nature of the trial, Sean Combs has reportedly maintained a charismatic personality in the courtroom. He is described as greeting his defense team with handshakes or hugs and scanning the room. One example provided notes that Diddy mouthed “How are you?” to a visibly pregnant reporter in court, demonstrating his apparent observant nature.
Prominent names that have reportedly come up in connection with the case include Mike Myers, Kid Cudi, Kanye West, Michelle Williams, Lauren London, family members Christian King Combs and Justin Combs, Dallas Austin, Cassandra Ventura, Michael B. Jordan, Aubrey O’Day, and Don Richard.
Based on the initial proceedings, some observers feel that things are setting up for a potentially “pretty easy path” for Diddy, although the outcome will depend on the evidence presented.
