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Opening statements begin in Sean 'Puffy' Combs trial

Combs: faces up to 15 years

From producer Shannon Troetel

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Opening statements began Monday in Manhattan Supreme Court for rap star Sean "Puffy" Combs, his bodyguard and another rapper, all charged in connection with a shooting at a Times Square nightclub in December 1999. Combs faces gun possession and bribery charges, but is not accused of the actual shooting.

Police found a gun in the car Combs and his girlfriend, actress-singer Jennifer Lopez , used to flee the nightclub. Combs is accused of offering his driver money to say the gun belonged to him.

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Combs' bodyguard, Anthony Jones, was charged with illegal gun possession and bribery. The third defendant, rapper Jamal Barrow, was charged with attempted murder.

On his way into court, Combs' attorney, Johnny Cochran, said he wanted his client to stand trial alone.

"We would have rather had a trial by ourselves. We think that would have been appropriate but the justice denied the motion and now we are just dealing with it," said Cochran. "So, we're ready to go."

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