Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ongoing sex trafficking trial has yielded a plethora of shocking claims, heavy testimonies, and accusations — and those present in the courtroom are generally expected to keep their reactions to a minimum. On Thursday (June 5), the defendant was warned by the judge he may be removed from the courtroom due to facial expressions he repeatedly made to jurors.
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian said Diddy’s behavior was “absolutely unacceptable,” as it was seen as attempting to interfere with members of the jury during today’s testimonies.
“I was very clear there should be no facial expressions to the jury and I could not have been clearer,” Subramanian said, per NBC. “There was a line of questioning where your client was nodding vigorously and looking at the jury.”
Diddy performs onstage at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards held at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images
“There should be no efforts to have any interactions with this jury,” he sternly warned.
The judge asked defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo if this would happen again, and the attorney replied, “No, your honor, it’s not going to happen again.”
Subramanian stated that if the Bad Boy founder continued interfering with the panel, he will “give an instruction to the jury or it could result in the exclusion of your client from the courtroom.”
Today’s incident is not the only time a disruption occurred in the room, as earlier this week, someone’s behavior did result in them being removed from court proceedings. On Tuesday (June 3), a heckler who identified as a Diddy supporter yelled out profanities because she was “tired of seeing everyone treating Diddy the way they are.”
“These motherf**kers are laughing at you,” the woman yelled at Combs in the Southern District of New York courtroom, per PEOPLE. The outlet reports she shouted several additional profanities before Judge Arun Subramanian ordered her to be escorted out.
She also said: “You’re laughing at a Black man’s legacy” and “pull your gun out ninja, I dare you.” Diddy remained seated in his spot and did not have a noteworthy reaction to what was said.
The father of seven is facing one count of racketeering conspiracy; two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He was arrested in NYC on Sept. 16, 2024, and held at MDC Brooklyn without bail. His trial is expected to last all of June and into July.
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