Tag: chris brown
Trial Postponed, Chris Brown Heads Back To LA

Trial Postponed, Chris Brown Heads Back To LA

Washington (AFP) – A U.S. judge postponed Chris Brown’s assault trial Wednesday, saying the R&B singer should not be held in legal limbo and must return to California for a probationary hearing.

After his trial on misdemeanor charges was twice postponed, Brown is now due back in Washington for a status hearing on June 25.

Brown, 24, and his bodyguard Chris Hollosy, 35, were accused of punching a man last October outside a trendy Washington hotel after the singer rejected the man’s request for a photo.

If convicted, Brown faces up to six months in jail in Washington.

But he could also be slapped with more time behind bars in Los Angeles, where a court recently remanded him in custody for breaching the terms of his probation in a high-profile 2009 case when he pleaded guilty to assaulting his then-girlfriend, the R&B diva Rihanna.

Brown, appearing in court in a dark blue suit, was tossed out of a court-ordered rehab program in March.

He is being tried separately from Hollosy, who was found guilty on Monday.

Hollosy had been called as a witness in Brown’s case, and was expected to testify that only he struck 20-year-old Parker Adams.

But lawyers for the bodyguard said he would not testify unless prosecutors provided him immunity.

Hollosy is expected to appeal his verdict, and his lawyers do not want him to take the stand without immunity, something the government said it is refusing to offer.

District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Franklin Burgess said he did not want Brown languishing in custody in Washington, perhaps for months, pending Hollosy’s appeal.

“My goal would be to get him back to California,” Burgess told the court.

Brown’s lawyer Mark Geragos concurred, adding: “It’s a little over the top to have him in custody on this misdemeanor.”

U.S. marshals will now escort Brown back to Los Angeles, where a judge will rule whether he will spend more time in jail.

The cross-country trip on “Con Air,” the federal prisoner transport system, takes about a week, according to Geragos, who described the ordeal as “onerous.”

Brown, who is also a dancer and actor, took the Grammy award for best R&B album in 2012.

AFP Photo/Alberto E. Rodriguez

Chris Brown Forced To Wear Orange Jail Suit To Court

Chris Brown Forced To Wear Orange Jail Suit To Court

By Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES — Singer Chris Brown appeared in court Monday in jail-issued shirt and pants.

Before cameras rolled during the hearing, in which a judge ordered the R&B singer held without bail until April 23, Brown’s attorney, Mark Geragos, argued his client should be able to wear a business suit.

Brown was in custody after being kicked out of court-ordered rehab in connection with a 2009 conviction for beating singer Rihanna.

“This will end up being filmed and shown around the world,” Geragos said, noting Brown has an assault trial next month in Washington, D.C.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James R. Brandlin agreed Brown’s handcuffs could be removed in court, but he stopped short of allowing the change of clothes.

Geragos then asked that the session not be videotaped. But the judge and prosecutor both noted the image of Brown in orange jail clothing would not prejudice his Washington case because it is scheduled to be heard only by a judge.

The Grammy-winning singer was arrested Friday at a Malibu rehab, where he was undergoing court-ordered treatment for anger and mental health issues.

The judge ordered Brown’s arrest after he was ejected from the program because of internal rule violations, including allegedly making a threatening comment, failing to take a drug test and touching a female undergoing treatment at the center.

“It is clear from reading the incident report from the program, the program was concerned about the defendant’s noncompliance and inability to follow the program’s rules,” Brandlin said.

If Brandlin finds Brown violated his probation, Brandlin could send him to prison for up to four years.

Brandlin said he was particularly troubled by Brown’s alleged statement during the “morning reflection meeting.” While reading from a card, Brown allegedly added, “I am good at using guns and knives.”

Geragos likened the comment to Brown saying, “I’m going to ask my higher power to take away my troubles.” Geragos told the court Brown passed two drug screenings and the touching of the female amounted to “rubbing elbows.”

Brown’s ejection marks the second time he has been kicked out of a rehab center. During family counseling in November, Brown walked out and threw a rock through his mother’s car window.

That led the judge to order a lengthy stay at another rehab, to complete 24 hours a week of community labor and to undergo periodic drug tests.

On Monday, Brandlin also rejected Geragos’ request that Brown be released because of his pending trial April 17 in Washington, D.C., where he faces a misdemeanor assault charge. He was accused of hitting a man trying to take a picture of him outside the W Hotel.

The judge also denied Geragos’ request to have Brown enter another program. Prosecutor Mary Murray had argued that given Brown’s repeated opportunities, he was not deserving of another chance.

AFP Photo/Alberto E. Rodriguez