‘Very high bar': Diddy alternate juror speaks out after verdict

Yahoo

a day ago

NEW YORK (PIX11) – For the first time since the Sean 'Diddy' Combs verdict, one of the jurors is speaking out.
In an exclusive interview with PIX11 News, alternate juror 'George' is sharing his insight into the panel's decision and offering a behind-the-scenes look at the highs and lows of the sensational eight-week trial.
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'Overall, to prove it was a criminal enterprise was a very high bar,' George said.
George served as an alternate during the trial. After sitting through nearly two months of testimony, he was sent home just before deliberations began.
Asked what he thought of the final verdict, George said, 'I understood the verdict.'
When asked what he would say to those who believe the jury got it wrong, he responded, 'The charges on sex trafficking were difficult, and the standard of proof was really high.'
George said he would have voted to convict on the two transportation in prostitution charges, too.
'The prosecution presented receipts, flight records — that was easy,' he said.
Only the 12 jurors and six alternates were shown videos of the so-called 'freak offs' in court, which George said supported the prosecution's case.
'Some were just rubbing oil, and some were more graphic,' he recalled.
When asked if he believed the women involved were willing participants, George pointed to certain messages.
'There were text messages that said there was love — the highs were high and the lows were low,' he said.
One of the most impactful moments in the courtroom, he said, came when prosecutors played the video of Cassie Ventura being beaten inside the InterContinental Hotel.
'It was a very shocking video to see — overall beating,' he said.
When asked about the most compelling testimony, George named two witnesses.
'The testimony of Jane and Cassie was very emotional,' he said.
As for the least effective, George said the defense created doubts around some.
'The defense put some holes in Dawn Richard. I think Bana [Bongolan] was another one…Capricorn [Clark],' he said.
Despite Combs' presence in the courtroom and his occasional rebukes from the judge for his body language toward the jury, George said he never felt intimidated.
'You could tell he was fighting for himself,' he said.
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George said he feels good about fulfilling his civic duty in such a high-profile case and offered praise for everyone involved.
'It was exhausting. It's good to be finished with it and move on,' he said.
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