DID PUFFY IGNORE GAG ORDER?

The prosecution said Wednesday (2/28) that Sean "Puffy" Combs violated a gag order by issuing a statement saying he would testify in his own defense on weapons charges and that ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez would not testify, and has requested that the rapper be held in contempt of court.

At the beginning of the gun possession and bribery case, state Supreme Court Justice Charles Solomon issued a gag order barring both sides from talking to the press.

In issuing a press release, Combs violated that order, Assistant District Attorney Matthew Bogdanos charged, asking that Combs be sentenced to 30 days in jail.

But the judge's gag order does allow Combs to assert his innocence, and defense lawyer Benjamin Brafman argued that Combs' statement fell within that guideline.

The judge said he would consider Bogdanos' request, and in the meantime he barred all statements and interviews from both sides, promising that any violation would be "swiftly and severely" punished.

In the meantime, reports are circulating that Lopez may indeed testify at the trial after all. Brafman said in court on Wednesday that Lopez may testify on Friday, a day after Combs himself takes the stand.