Sean "Diddy" Combs trial: Judge considers expulsion for excessive eye contact

Things continue to heat up in the fourth week of the criminal trial against Sean "Diddy" Combs (55). Judge Arun Subramanian had to sharply reprimand the accused rap mogul on Thursday after he repeatedly attempted to interact with the jurors. During the questioning of a witness, Combs allegedly looked pointedly at the jury members and nodded repeatedly, according to reports from the British "Guardian," among others.

The incident occurred during the testimony of Bryana Bongolan, a longtime friend of Combs' ex-partner Cassie Ventura. Judge Subramanian observed the 55-year-old "nodding vigorously" during critical questioning, seeking direct eye contact with the jurors. Such behavior is considered jury tampering and can have serious consequences.

During the lunch break, the judge confronted Combs's lawyers. "There should be no attempt to interact with this jury," Subramanian made it clear, according to the report. If the behavior were to be repeated, "it could result in your client being ejected from the courtroom." Combs' lawyers immediately assured him that it would not happen again.

Witness Bongolan had previously recounted harrowing details of an alleged incident from 2016. She claims that Combs dangled her from the balcony of Ventura's 17th-floor Los Angeles apartment before hurling her onto the balcony furniture. The incident triggered nightmares and paranoia. Combs' defense attorneys challenge Bongolan's credibility and accuse her of inconsistency in her statements.

The trial against the former hip-hop mogul has been underway since the beginning of May. Prosecutors are accusing Combs of sex trafficking, threats, organized crime, and other offenses. If convicted on all counts, he faces life imprisonment. The prosecution could conclude its arguments as early as next week. The defense, in turn, has indicated that its presentation could take until early July.

The incident was not the first disruption to the highly charged proceedings. On Wednesday, a female spectator caused a commotion by loudly cursing the lawyers. The woman, who turned out to be a supporter of the defendant, had to be removed from the courtroom by security. She later stated that she felt Combs was being unfairly ridiculed.

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