Sean “P. Diddy” Combs’ Statement

—As told to Elliott Wilson

The truth of the matter is that even though Shyne is young, he is a very independent young man. He’s always been in control and wanted to make his own decisions, whether it was his musical career or his personal life. And when the unfortunate situation went down, it came a time for all three of us—Shyne, Wolf and I—to get together and decide what we were gonna do legally. Shyne was adamant about wanting to choose his own legal team—which he chose, and whom I don’t know. My only connection is that Ian Niles’ wife has worked for me.

There was a time, early in the trial, I had offered my defense team. Shyne decided to use his own. I felt Johnnie [Cochran] could help. Whatever he wanted, it was done.

The only time I had a conversation with Shyne’s mother was after the verdict. I consoled her and said I would help her through the appeal process—which I did. Matt Middleton (Shyne’s entertainment lawyer) sent the bill, and I paid it to Alan Dershowitz.

Before the trial, we were in the process of recording Shyne’s second album. We renegotiated his whole situation and made sure if something went wrong, there would be money left for his mother. I don’t know if that money was given to her. There was a time I attempted to get in touch with her, and the message was that she didn’t need my help. So I didn’t push the issue.

I had no decision in his style of defense. If, legally, your defense is that you were in possession of a gun, and you fired it, there will probably be some time served. We were all upset and disappointed by the amount of time that he was given. It’s an unfortunate situation that I wish never happened. I am hopeful that Shyne’s time gets cut.

He’s not currently signed to Bad Boy Records. A few months ago, I had a calm discussion with his lawyer about his desire to be in total control of his own future. We decided it was best. It was no “I don’t want to fuck with you from jail” shit. Shyne and I have no problems. There’s no beef.