Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial: Judge threatens to remove rapper for “absolutely unacceptable” behaviour
Sean ‘Diddy‘ Combs received a warning from the judge during his sex trafficking trial this week. On June 5th, Judge Arun Subramanian threatened to remove Combs from the courtroom for nodding and making faces at the jurors.
Subramanian claimed Combs was “vigorously nodding” while Cassie Ventura’s friend, fashion designer Bryana Bongolan, who accused him of dangling her over a balcony, was being cross-examined. He described his actions in court as “absolutely unacceptable.”
The judge told Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, “Mr Agnifilo, your client was looking at jurors and nodding vigorously. This can’t continue, or I will give a limiting instruction you won’t like, or other measures, including barring your client from the courtroom. Do you understand?”
When asked if it would happen again, Agnifilo said, “No, your honour, it’s not going to happen again.” Subramanian replied, “This cannot happen again.”
Since the trial began, Combs has reportedly made various gestures in court. He’s been spotted passing notes to his lawyers, shaking his head and making facial expressions to jurors. Another time, he blew kisses to his mother, Janice Combs, who was watching from the gallery.
He’s also allegedly made eye contact with jurors. After signalling it was cold by rubbing his hands together, he looked at one of the jurors rubbing his arms to keep warm. Combs mouthed “cold” with a smile, and the juror nodded and smiled back at him.
Combs has been on trial since May 4th. He’s facing charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution, and has pleaded not guilty to all five counts.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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