Lopez stays out of witness box

Combs and Lopez split up after 17 months together

Actress and singing star Jennifer Lopez has said she will not be giving evidence at the trial of her ex-boyfriend rap star Sean "Puffy" Combs.

I am not going to put Jennifer through this

Sean Combs

"As Sean will testify on his own behalf, he and his lawyers have decided at this time it is not necessary for me to testify," she said in a statement.

"I have told Sean that if he and his lawyers change their minds and require me to testify I will be there immediately to tell the truth," she said.

Combs and his bodyguard, Anthony Jones, are charged with two counts of gun possession. Musician Jamal "Shyne" Barrow is charged with attempted murder.

Combs also is accused of offering his driver a $50,000 (£34,000) bribe to claim ownership of the gun.

All three men deny the charges.

Ordeal

The New York Post reports Combs as saying he did not want to put Lopez, 32, through the ordeal of giving evidence.

"I am not going to put Jennifer through this. Enough is enough," he was quoted as saying.

He also confirmed his split from the singer, whose J-Lo album has taken her to the top of the US charts.

At the trial on Monday, a nightclub security guard told the Manhattan court that at no time did she see Combs with a gun after a shooting incident at the club 14 months ago.

The shootings, in which three people were wounded, occurred shortly after Combs and Lopez arrived at the club.

Lopez gave evidence to a grand jury before Combs was formally indicted.

If convicted, Combs could face up to 15 years in prison.