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Prosecutor says Puffy violated gag order

Combs arrives Thursday morning at the New York court where he will take the stand in his own behalf.

NEW YORK (CNN) -- A prosecutor asked Wednesday that rapper Sean "Puffy" Combs be found in contempt of court for issuing a statement saying he intended to testify in his trial and believed his ex-girlfriend, Jennifer Lopez, didn't need to testify.

"What Combs did last night was disregard the court's order not to speak to the press," said prosecutor Matthew Bogdanos.

He asked Judge Charles Solomon to jail Combs for 30 days.

Solomon did not rule immediately, saying he would consider Bogdanos' request later.

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He did, however, admonish everyone involved in Combs' trial on weapons possession charges not to talk to the media.

Combs' attorney, Ben Brafman, told the court he had advised Combs it was okay to issue the statement because he believed it did not violate Solomon's gag order.

Brafman told the judge Combs will testify in his own behalf Thursday.

However, he left open the possibility that Lopez may be called to the stand once Combs is finished.

"It's always been a possibility," said Brafman. He said the defense hoped to rest its case by Friday.

The statement Combs released Tuesday night said, "I look forward to taking the stand and telling the jury what my friends and family have known to be true all along that the charges against me are absolutely false.

"Since I intend to testify on my own behalf, I feel it is no longer necessary for Jennifer to be involved in these proceedings."

During morning testimony, the defense called Charles Suitt, 33, who said he hugged Combs as he greeted him at Club New York the night of the shooting but did not feel a gun.

"Did you feel anything hard that could physically have been a weapon?" he was asked.

"Not at all," said Suitt.

He said he saw Combs later holding a glass in the air with his arms up "dancing as he does. You know how Puff dances ... very wild."

When asked if he could see Combs' bare waist, Suitt said yes, he got a glimpse.

The prosecution has charged that Combs hid a 9 mm handgun in the waistband of his pants at the club.

Three people were injured in the December 27, 1999 incident at Club New York. Combs, 31, and his bodyguard, Anthony "Wolf" Jones, 34, are charged with gun possession and bribery in connection with the shooting.

Suitt said he heard three or four shots but "I saw no one shoot... I didn't know where it came from."

On cross-examination from Bogdanos, Suitt was asked if he was looking for a weapon when he hugged Combs. He said no.

"I didn't see a gun the whole night," he said.

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Opening statements begin in Sean 'Puffy' Combs trial
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