'Puffy' Indicted on Weapons Charge
By SAMUEL MAULL Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK (AP) - Grammy-winning rap mogul Sean ''Puffy''
Combs was indicted Thursday on charges that he had two stolen
guns in his sport utility vehicle as he fled a nightclub shooting.
One gun was found by police in the vehicle, and the other was
thrown out of the vehicle, prosecutors said.
Two of Combs' associates were also named in the indictment: his
rapping protege Jamal ''Shyne'' Barrow on attempted murder
charges, and bodyguard Anthony Jones on a weapons charge.
Combs, 30, could get up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
''The decision to indict me is wrong,'' Combs said in a statement.
''I'm innocent and we will prove it. I am putting my faith in God
and I know my name will be cleared.''
Three people were wounded in the shooting inside the crowded
Club NY on Dec. 27. Combs and girlfriend Jennifer Lopez were
arrested after they drove away from the scene.
Police said the vehicle carrying Combs and Ms. Lopez, the
singer-actress who starred in the films ''Selena'' and ''Out of
Sight,'' had run at least one red light while fleeing the club. A driver
and bodyguard were in the front; the couple were in the back seat.
Combs was charged with possession of a 9 mm pistol found in the
front of the car, and with possession of another stolen 9 mm that
was thrown from the vehicle, Manhattan District Attorney Robert
Morgenthau said.
Both guns had been fired, but the district attorney could not say
where or when the weapons had been fired. Until Thursday,
prosecutors had not accused Combs of having a gun that was
thrown from the car.
Combs was charged with second-degree possession of a weapon,
meaning he had a loaded gun with intent to use it. He was also
charged with third-degree, which is simple possession of a gun.
Combs has hired former O.J. Simpson lawyer Johnnie Cochran,
who said Combs' fingerprints were on neither weapon.
Combs, who earned an estimated $53 million through his rap
empire in 1998, has been free on $10,000 bail since his arrest. He
is due back in court Feb. 14.
Ms. Lopez, who testified before the grand jury, released a
statement saying she never saw Combs with a weapon on the night
of his arrest.
''I am surprised and saddened to learn of the indictment against
Sean Combs,'' she said. ''I support him wholeheartedly throughout
this difficult time.''
Combs was also arrested last April for allegedly beating a fellow
music executive, leaving the victim with a broken arm and jaw.
Combs pleaded guilty to harassment and was ordered to undergo
counseling.
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