Posted on 02/03/2004 4:52:01 PM PST by blam
Rapper Combs settles with club shooting witness
Sean "P Diddy" Combs has settled a £1.7 million lawsuit filed by his former driver, who said he suffered emotional damage after a nightclub shooting four years ago.
US Supreme Court Justice Harold Beeler announced the settlement and dismissed the Manhattan jury which had been hearing the lawsuit filed by Wardell "Woody" Fenderson.
Lawyers for both sides, having agreed to keep the settlement terms secret, refused to disclose details. They would say only that "the matter has been resolved to the satisfaction of all parties".
Fenderson's lawsuit arose after three people were wounded at Club New York early on December 27, 1999.
He said he was outside the club in Combs' vehicle waiting for the rapper and then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez.
Moments after people began fleeing the club, Combs, Lopez and Combs' bodyguard, Anthony "Wolf" Jones, ran out, jumped into the vehicle and ordered him to drive and "don't stop for anybody".
Fenderson, 45, testified during the three days of the hearing that being ordered to drive and continue despite a police officer's orders to stop, knowing there were guns in the vehicle, and his subsequent arrest caused him emotional trauma.
He told the jury he became a near-hermit and a heavy drinker because of the experience.
His lawsuit alleged false imprisonment - although he admitted he could have stopped the vehicle and got out any time he wanted - and assault, although he admitted that no one touched him in anger.
Story filed: 21:38 Tuesday 3rd February 2004
This must be the 10th Justice that they keep locked away and whom they force to proof read all of the Supreme Court decisions before the decisions are issued.
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