Prosecutors allege the Grammy-winning rapper carried a gun into the nightclub and fired a shot on the night of his arrest. Mr Combs is not accused of shooting anyone, but he was arrested after he fled the club with his girlfriend, actress and singer Jennifer Lopez, who has not been charged. Injured want settlement Mr Combs' defence team have said the prosecution was picking on their client because of his fame. Mr Brafman is best known for defending leading mafia figures. The defence team also includes Johnnie Cochran, who represented OJ Simpson.
Court officials say they expect the trial to run for between five and six weeks.