Why is Diddy demanding a mistrial? Rapper alleges racial bias over juror removal

The ongoing federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial of Diddy, also known as Sean Combs, has made some developments recently. According to TMZ, on June 15, 2025, Diddy's legal team submitted a letter to Judge Arun Subramanian.

In the letter, they have made it clear that if the judge proceeds with dismissing Juror no 6, who is Black, they will demand a mistrial. They argue that dismissing the juror will be a racially biased move.

Diddy is currently being held without bail at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his arrest in September 2024.

More on why Diddy is demanding a mistrial

Judge Arun Subramanian is considering dismissing Juror no 6. On Friday, the judge and both legal teams had a long discussion about whether to dismiss the juror or not. The juror gave conflicting answers when he was asked where he lived. During the jury selection stage, the juror said that he lives in the Bronx with his fiancée and daughter.

However, the prosecution said that recently, the juror disclosed that he stayed in New Jersey with his girlfriend for most of the trial. And then when the juror was asked about where he stays behind closed doors, he said that he lives in New York for 4–5 nights.

These inconsistencies in the jurors' answers have led the prosecutors to question his honesty and push for his removal. The judge then agreed that there are some serious issues with the juror's candor and said that the "removal of the juror is required".

However, Diddy's defense team does not agree. After the judge's initial hearing, lawyer Xavier Donaldson argued that the reasons cited for the jurors' removal are not significant. He also said that the juror must be given a chance to explain the inconsistencies in his answers and that if the juror is removed, then the jury would be less diverse, as per Fox News (June 13, 2025).

The judge also said that the main concern was why the juror gave different answers, and if he did so to stay on the jury, which hints at a personal agenda. He then told both the legal teams that he would think about the dismissal of the juror and let them know.

Diddy's legal team demands that if Juror no 6 is dismissed, he deserves a mistrial. The judge will be making is final decision by Monday, June 16, 2025. Most recently, the court heard testimony from Jonathan Perez, who claimed that he cleaned the rooms after the freak-offs, as per USA Today (June 13, 2025). He also told the court he would help with setting up the rooms with items, including baby oil, food, and lights.

The prosecution is still building its case, and the trial is expected to continue for the coming weeks. Diddy is charged with serious allegations, including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation for prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

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