Protection lawyer Mark Geragos was admonished by the decide in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex-trafficking trial for referring to prosecutors as “a six-pack of white girls.”
Geragos, who shouldn’t be formally on Combs’ protection group however is working with its jury advisor, made the remark not too long ago on the “2 Indignant Males” podcast he co-hosts with TMZ founder Mark Levin.
On Tuesday, U.S. District Decide Arun Subramanian instructed Geragos in a dialog in his chambers that he can be listening and watching him to verify he doesn’t say something that would intervene with a good trial.
“I feel that is ridiculous,” Subramanian stated. “I feel referring to the prosecution on this case as a six-pack of white girls is outrageous. … This could not be tolerated in any courtroom from any lawyer anyplace throughout the nation.”
“You’ve gotten yet one more listener to your podcast,” he added.
“So long as you subscribe, I’m all for it,” Geragos responded.
Geragos’ daughter, Teny Geragos, is on Combs’ authorized group and has been a visitor on the podcast.
Mark Geragos has supplied his opinion on quite a lot of matters concerning the case on “2 Indignant Males,” together with a March 2016 lodge surveillance video that exhibits Combs beating and dragging his former girlfriend Casandra Ventura, who was signed to his music label as Cassie.
Prosecutors have stated the video is a crucial piece of proof in opposition to Combs, 55, who’s charged with sex-trafficking, racketeering and transportation to interact in prostitution. He has pleaded not responsible.
Subramanian rejected a request from the protection to withhold the video from proof. After CNN aired the video final 12 months, Combs apologized publicly, saying that his conduct in it was “inexcusable” and that he took full accountability for his actions.
On his podcast, Geragos described the video as “character assassination.”
Earlier than potential jurors have been questioned Tuesday, the second day of jury choice in federal courtroom in Manhattan, Subramanian requested Mark Geragos whether or not he was advising Combs.
Geragos, who has had quite a lot of high-profile shoppers, together with O.J. Simpson, Michael Jackson and singer Chris Brown, stated he has recognized Combs for years and is representing his mom in one other case.
“I do speak with him with nice frequency,” he stated, including that he has represented Combs up to now.
Geragos additionally defended his statements, telling the decide, “I feel if you’ve acquired a Black man who’s being prosecuted and the consumer looks like he’s being focused, it’s an remark.”
The prosecution requested Subramanian in a letter filed Tuesday to remind Geragos and members of his legislation agency to not make public statements which may hinder a good trial.
Assistant U.S. Lawyer Christy Slavik, a member of the six-women prosecution group, outlined these considerations about Geragos’ feedback in courtroom Tuesday, saying that the podcast has a number of million subscribers and his remarks may infect the jury pool.
Subramanian had stated he hoped to seat a jury of 12 individuals and 6 alternates by Wednesday, however it seems it may take till the top of the week.
Many potential jurors have stated they have been conscious of the sex-trafficking case and had seen the surveillance video on CNN.
