PUFFY DEFENSE HEADS SOUTH
WITH A BULLET
Wardell Fenderson told the jury Thursday (2/15) that Puff Daddy was armed when he entered Club New York, the scene of the melee in which three people were shot in December 1999. The driver recalled watching Puffy tuck a gun into his waistband, then readjust his clothes to conceal the weapon. While Fenderson admitted to making eye contact with Puff, he kept his mouth shut.
Said Fenderson, "That's my employer. It's not my job to question him." Fenderson was certain he saw a weapon. "It couldn't have been his cell phone or a wallet. It was a gun," he testified.
Upon leaving the club, Fenderson claimed Puffy told him to flea the police. The mini-pursuit went over sidewalks and through 11 red lights. "It was like something out of a movie," he said. "Pure chaos, panic, a frenzied situation."
Fenderson then testified Puff asked him to open the secret compartments in the Lincoln Navigator, but he didn't know how. During that time, Fenderson said he overheard Jennifer Lopez say, "Shyne busted off! Shyne busted off in the air!" The driver told the jury that translated to mean co-defendant Jamal "Shyne" Barrow fired his gun in the club.
Fenderson said Puffy tried to bribe him after the entourage's arrest. He claims the rap mogul told him, "I am Puffy. I can't take this gun." Puffy then allegedly offered Fenderson $50,000 to take the fall, and handed over a $40,000 diamond ring as collateral.
On Wednesday (2/14), escort service driver George Pappas took the stand, telling how his car was struck that night by a gun tossed from the rear passenger-side of a silver Navigator. While Pappas couldn't tell if it was thrown out by a male or female, several witnesses—including the arresting officers—testified that Puffy was seated on the rear passenger-side.
Pappas said he turned the found gun over to his boss, Anthony Natasi, who has ties to area police. Pappas explained, "I didn't want to get involved. I'm just a private person and I didn't want to be asked questions." The defense tried to dispell Pappas and Natasi's credibility, revealing Natasi was actually an FBI informant who is facing several prostitution charges in Las Vegas.
Cross-examination of Fenderson is expected to last through Friday (2/16). After that, the prosecution is expected to rest. The defense, however, has agreed to spend President's Day Weekend partying with Puffy at his newly installed shooting range at his Hamptons estate.
