To: SouthFloridaGuy who wrote (263 ) 1/13/2000 10:18:00 PM From: Goldbug Guru Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 896
'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. Full Coverage See a Yahoo! special report on Sean 'Puffy' Combs Related News Stories · Rap Mogul 'Puffy' Combs Indicted on Weapons Charges - Reuters (Jan 13, 2000) · Puffy Combs Indicted - Yahoo! News/E! Online (Jan 13, 2000) · Rap mogul "Puffy" Combs indicted on weapons charges - Yahoo! Finance/Reuters (Jan 13, 2000) · 'Puffy' Hires Two Top Lawyers - AP (Jan 13, 2000) · 'Puff Daddy's' entourage investigated in Detroit - Seattle Times (Jan 12, 2000) More In Full Coverage Related Web Sites · Puff Daddy - official site for Sean "Puffy" Combs. Includes music, videos, photos, bio, and more. · Yahoo! Music: Puff Daddy More In Full Coverage Magazine Articles · Under the Gun - Newsweek (Jan 6, 2000) Video · Puff Daddy on his innocence - MTV News (Jan 5, 2000) Related Full Coverage · Jennifer Lopez Yahoo! Categories · Puff Daddy · Rap and Hip Hop More In Full Coverage