Reporting by Dennis Byron
New York, NY — May 6, 2025 — The high-profile criminal trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs took a contentious turn Tuesday morning as a federal judge sternly admonished defense attorney Mark Geragos for controversial remarks made on a podcast, warning him to refrain from statements that could jeopardize a fair trial.
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian issued the warning in a robing room session just before jury selection resumed in the Southern District of New York. The government had raised concerns over Geragos’ comments on a TMZ podcast, in which he referred to the prosecution as a “six-pack of white women” — a statement the judge called “outrageous” and “not tolerated in any court from any lawyer anywhere across the nation.”
Geragos, who has a longstanding relationship with Combs and is currently representing Combs’ mother in a separate matter, defended his remarks as commentary on the racial dynamics of the case. He further argued that his statements fall under the defendant’s right to counteract pretrial publicity, invoking Sheppard v. Maxwell and Gentile v. State Bar of Nevada.
The prosecution, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Slavik, warned that Geragos’ public commentary, particularly given his podcast’s wide reach, poses a risk of tainting the jury pool. “The danger… infecting the jury pool is very serious,” Slavik said, calling the government’s application to remind the defense of its obligations under Local Rule 23.1 “very clear.”
Judge Subramanian ultimately sided with the government, formally reminding the defense team of their responsibilities under the rule, which restricts public commentary that could interfere with a fair trial. He cautioned Geragos that future infractions may lead to stronger sanctions.
The trial, which has already attracted intense media scrutiny, is now proceeding under increased judicial oversight of public statements by involved parties. Jury selection continues this week.
