USA: RAP SINGER SEAN PUFF DADDY COMBS APPEARS IN COURT IN ILLEGAL GUN POSSESSION CHARGES

Record ID: 390871

  • Title: USA: RAP SINGER SEAN PUFF DADDY COMBS APPEARS IN COURT IN ILLEGAL GUN POSSESSION CHARGES
  • Date: 29th January 2001
  • Summary: (REUTERS -ACCESS ALL) SMV, COMBS ARRIVING AT 1999 MTV VIDEO AWARDS EVENT WITH JENNIFER LOPEZ (UNKNOWN LOCATION ) SMV, COMBS POSING FOR MEDIA
  • Embargoed: 13th February 2001 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA7XCRLO4DO2FWOXUM61HMLD568
  • Story Text: Opening arguments in the trial of Sean "Puffy" Combs began Monday in a New York court. Combs, known as Puff Daddy, is charged with illegal gun possession and bribery charges in connection with an incident at a Manhattan nightclub back in December 1999.
    The gun possession and bribery case against rap star Sean "Puffy" Combs got underway Monday (January 29), following over a week of choosing a jury.
    The charges stem from a Times Square nightclub fracas in 1999 in which three people were injured. His two co-defendants, Jamal "Shyne" Barrow, a Combs rap protege is charged with attempted murder, and the rapper's bodyguard, Anthony "Wolf" Jones is accused of having a loaded gun by his feed after the car they were all in was stopped by police several blocks from the club.
    Combs' girlfriend, singer and actress Jennifer Lopez, who was a passenger in the sports utility car when it was stopped by police, may be called as a witness.
    Combs declined comment but his lawyer, Johnnie Cochran said Combs is a very strong man "He knows he is innocent - he's always proclaimed his innocence, I think strating today you are going to start seeing that. I think you should listen very carefully at wht Mr. Brafman has to say in the opening arguments. This is a real real contest, and you'll hear about some of the witnesses who are going to be called - so keep an open mind"
    Benjamin Brafman, who will make the opening statement on behalf of the team said the facts will get Combs off.
    The case is expected to last more than a month as witnesses from the club, among them the three victims, take the stand some with contradictory accounts, according to those close to the defense team.
    ---ENDS---
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