(February 28, 2001) — Attorneys of Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs presented their case on Thursday with witnesses who distanced Combs as far as possible from the gun possession and bribery charges following the New York nightclub shooting of Dec. 27, 1999. The first witness, Combs’ former personal assistant, testified that the rap mogul never had a gun with him, much less tucked into his waistband as prosecution witness and Combs’ former driver Wardel Fenderson claimed. He remembered Combs dancing on tables on the night in question, with his arms in the air, exposing his torso, which didn’t have a gun tucked anywhere. Another witness, a security guard, said he was directly in front of Combs when shots rang out and heard the guns being fired from another direction. Similarly, a fellow club goer confirmed that he was watching Combs during the crucial moment and saw him duck for cover, not stand up and shoot. The most recent witness was another security guard who said she fell on top of Combs at the moment the shots rang out. The defense is currently underway in submitting its case to the jury. According to witnesses, the turmoil started when a man named Matthew “Scar” Allen came up to Combs at the club and threw money in his face, which allegedly provoked Combs to take out a gun and shoot. Combs allegedly fled the scene of the crime, in which three club goers were injured, after several gunshots were fired. The police stopped a Lincoln Navigator containing Combs; his then-girlfriend singer/actress Jennifer Lopez; his bodyguard, Anthony “Wolf” Jones; and Fenderson. Combs was accused of trying to bribe Fenderson, with $50,000 and a diamond pinky ring, into claiming ownership of the gun police found in the car. Shortly after they were arrested, Fenderson told police the gun was his, but later took back his statement as the prosecution dropped his charges of gun possession. A second gun, found near the club and turned in by an FBI informant, was allegedly thrown out of Combs’ car and is also accused of belonging to Combs. Combs is also facing multimillion-dollar lawsuits from the each of the three victims and Fenderson. Clark sophomore and Combs fan Emin Khalafian said he has faith in him. “I think he has a chance at winning the trial because he has enough money to get Johnny Cochoran, who has proved successful in the past.” With Combs was his rap protégé, Jamal “Shyne” Burrow, who is indicted with eight charges including attempted murder and gun possession.