Chris Brown Wins Big at BET Awards
LOS ANGELES – Amid awards for the top artists, actors and athletes, Steve Harvey was recognized for his humanitarian work at the BET Awards.
LOS ANGELES – Amid awards for the top artists, actors and athletes, Steve Harvey was recognized for his humanitarian work at the BET Awards.
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — The mother of Chris Brown is speaking out for the first time, days after her son was sentenced to five years probation and six months of community labor for assaulting his ex-girlfriend Rihanna.
LOS ANGELES — Chris Brown hit the West Hollywood club scene Tuesday night, hours after being sentenced to five years probation and six months of community labor for assaulting his ex-girlfriend Rihanna.
The 20-year-old singer was spotted at local hotspot Guys & Dolls, where he gave the crowd a thrill with an impromptu dance to Michael Jackson's "Dirty Diana."
"Everyone went wild when he let loose and danced," said fellow clubgoer Rod Vogelman. "You would have never known he spent his day in court."
Hours earlier, Brown accepted his punishment after pleaded guilty in June to one count of felony assault against Rihanna. The "Kiss Kiss" singer was warned to stay away from his ex for the next five years, with an order in place keeping him at least 100 yards from the "Umbrella" singer, except at industry functions where the minimum distance is 10 yards.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg said she was aware of media reports claiming Brown and Rihanna have been in contact, which resulted in a stiff warning from the judge.
"I am not amused with the chatter that has been on the airwaves and any violation of your probation in this case comes with the potential for state prison," Schnegg warned the R&B star, who was accompanied in court by his mother.
Brown must also complete six months of community labor in Virginia, where he'll spend 1400 hours cleaning grounds, removing graffiti and washing cars. He will also attend a year of domestic violence classes, and pay fines.
A second felony charge of making criminal threats was dropped during Tuesday's sentencing, which Rihanna did not attend.
Brown was arrested after getting into a fight with his then-girlfriend in the early morning hours of Feb. 8. He reached his plea deal just prior to a scheduled preliminary hearing, in which Rihanna had been subpoenaed to take the stand and testify.
Last month, Brown issued his first public apology for the incident, which took place on the eve of the Grammy Awards.
"As I sit here today I can tell you that I will do everything in my power to make sure that it never happens again, and I promise that," he said. "What I did was unacceptable, 100 percent. I can only ask and pray that you forgive me, please. I hope that others learn from my mistakes. I intend to live my life so that I am truly worthy of the term 'role model.' "
Did Chris Brown's punishment fit the crime? Click here to vote in our watercooler poll.
LOS ANGELES — Chris Brown was formally sentenced Tuesday to five years of probation and six months of community labor after pleading guilty in June to one count of felony assault against Rihanna.
The 20-year-old Brown was warned to stay away from Rihanna for the next five years, with an order in place keeping him at least 100 yards from the "Umbrella" singer, except at industry functions where the minimum distance is 10 yards.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg said she was aware of media reports claiming Brown and Rihanna have been in contact, which resulted in a stiff warning from the judge.
"I am not amused with the chatter that has been on the airwaves and any violation of your probation in this case comes with the potential for state prison," Schnegg warned the R&B star, who was accompanied in court by his mother.
Brown must also complete six months of community labor in Virginia, where he'll spend 1400 hours cleaning grounds, removing graffiti and washing cars. He will also attend a year of domestic violence classes, and pay fines.
A second felony charge of making criminal threats was dropped during Tuesday's sentencing, which Rihanna did not attend.
Brown was arrested after getting into a fight with his then-girlfriend in the early morning hours of Feb. 8. He reached his plea deal just prior to a scheduled preliminary hearing, in which Rihanna had been subpoenaed to take the stand and testify.
Last month, Brown issued his first public apology for the incident, which took place on the eve of the Grammy Awards.
"As I sit here today I can tell you that I will do everything in my power to make sure that it never happens again, and I promise that," he said. "What I did was unacceptable, 100 percent. I can only ask and pray that you forgive me, please. I hope that others learn from my mistakes. I intend to live my life so that I am truly worthy of the term 'role model.' "
Did Chris Brown's punishment fit the crime? Click here to vote in our watercooler poll.
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Chris Brown's sentencing has been put on hold.
Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg disclosed Wednesday that she needs more time before making a decision on Brown's sentence for felony assault, the Associated Press reports.
LOS ANGELES — Chris Brown issued a public apology Monday for his arrest earlier this year when he beat his girlfriend, fellow R&B star Rihanna.
"Since February my attorney has advised me not to speak out even though ever since the incident I wanted to publicly express my deepest regret and accept full responsibility," Brown says in a video message posted on his official Web site. "I felt it was time [that] you hear directly from me that I am sorry."
"I cannot go into what happened, and most importantly am not going to sit here and make any excuses," the 20-year-old singer continues. "I take great pride in me being able to exercise self control, and what I did was inexcusable. I am very saddened and very ashamed of what I have done. My mother and my spiritual teachers have taught me way better than that."
Brown says he has done a lot of soul searching over the last few months, in addition to talking with his mother and preacher.
"I spent a lot of time trying to understand what happened and why," he says. "I have let a lot of people down, and I realize that."
Last month, Brown pleaded guilty to one count of felony assault for the beating. The plea deal kept him out of jail, but the "Kiss Kiss" singer received a five-year probation sentence, six months of community labor, orders to complete domestic violence classes, and fines.
Brown was also ordered to stay at least 50 yards away from the 21-year-old Rihanna, except at industry functions where the minimum distance is 10 yards.
"As I sit here today I can tell you that I will do everything in my power to make sure that it never happens again, and I promise that. What I did was unacceptable, 100 percent," Brown says at the end. "I can only ask and pray that you forgive me, please. I hope that others learn from my mistakes. I intend to live my life so that I am truly worthy of the term 'role model.' "
[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4SD6oBvbKY&feature=related]
LOS ANGELES — Chris Brown pleaded guilty Monday to one count of felony assault after being arrested in February for beating his former girlfriend, fellow R&B star Rihanna.
The 20-year-old singer was sentenced to five years probation and 180 days of community labor. He must also complete a year of domestic violence classes, and pay fines. His attorney, Mark Geragos, said the "Kiss Kiss" singer plans to move to his home state of Virginia, where he'll complete his labor duties.
Brown was also ordered to stay at least 50 yards away from the 21-year-old Rihanna, except at industry functions where the minimum distance is 10 yards. He reached the plea deal just prior to a scheduled preliminary hearing, in which Rihanna had been subpoenaed to take the stand and testify.
Brown pleaded not guilty in April to the two felony charges against him — assault and making criminal threats. Shortly thereafter, his attorney was granted a delay in the case by L.A. Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg. Geragos used the time to look into a police photo that was leaked shortly after Brown's arrest. The graphic shot appeared to be of a bruised-up Rihanna and Geragos told E! News that he would seek to have the case dismissed if the leak came from within.
Brown was charged nearly a month after the couple got into a fight while driving in the early morning hours of Feb. 8. According to a detective's affidavit, the argument began after Rihanna found a text message from another woman on Brown's cell phone.
As the fight ensued, Brown pulled the car over and attempted to push Rihanna out of the vehicle, but she was wearing a seatbelt at the time. He then pushed the singer's head against the car window and punched her before continuing to drive and hit her. Brown also allegedly bit Rihanna on the ear, the affidavit said.
At one point, Rihanna made a fake phone call to her assistant, asking her to have the police waiting once she arrived. The phony message reportedly led to Brown making an alleged threat to kill Rihanna.
Brown turned himself into authorities later that evening. He was arrested and later released on $50,000 bail.
The incident took place on the day of the Grammy Awards, in which both stars were scheduled to perform. Both singers canceled their appearances.
LOS ANGELES — Rihanna has been called to take the stand and will testify against her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown, who is accused of beating her in the early morning hours prior to February's Grammy Awards.
"By prearrangement with the District Attorney, Rihanna was served Tuesday June 9, 2009, at my office with a subpoena to appear at the preliminary hearing, scheduled for June 22, 2009," her attorney, Donald Etra, tells Entertainment Tonight. "If that hearing does go forward, Rihanna will appear and will answer all questions posed to her by the District Attorney and Mark Geragos, Chris Brown's lawyer."
In April, the 20-year-old Brown pleaded not guilty to the two felony charges against him — assault and making criminal threats. Shortly thereafter, his attorney, Mark Geragos, was granted a delay in the case by L.A. Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg. Geragos has been using the time to look into the police photo that was leaked shortly after Brown's arrest. The graphic shot appeared to be of a bruised-up Rihanna and Geragos told E! News that he will seek to have the case dismissed if the leak came from within.
"The leaks can form the basis for a motion to dismiss the case in regards to outrageous governmental misconduct," said Geragos.
In other Rihanna news, the 21-year-old star hit the town Wednesday night with Fergie and the rest of the Black Eyed Peas for the group's official CD release party at The Griffin in New York City. Rihanna's was joined by her rumored new boyfriend, Canadian rapper Aubrey "Drake" Graham.
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — If Chris Brown's attorney gets his way, the R&B star's assault case will get tossed out of the court.
The 19-year-old Brown, who was arrested in February for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend, fellow singer Rihanna, pleaded not guilty earlier this month to the two felony charges against him — assault and making criminal threats. On Wednesday, his attorney, Mark Geragos, was granted a delay in the case by L.A. Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg. Geragos will use the time to continue looking into the police photo that was leaked shortly after Brown's arrest. The graphic shot appeared to be of a bruised-up Rihanna and Geragos told E! News that he will seek to have the case dismissed if the leak came from within.
"The leaks can form the basis for a motion to dismiss the case in regards to outrageous governmental misconduct," said Geragos.
Brown's attorney will have a fair amount of time to continue his investigation, as Schnegg set a preliminary hearing date for May 28. At that time, the prosecution will present their case so that the court can determine if there's enough evidence for a trial. It still remains unclear whether Rihanna will take the stand against her boyfriend at the preliminary hearing.
"The D.A. has not informed us whether or not Rihanna will be called to testify," her attorney, Donald Etra, told E!
Neither Brown nor Rihanna attended attended today's hearing, in which Schnegg also agreed to release the nearly $1.4 million worth of jewels that the "Umbrella" singer was wearing on the night of the incident. The items, which were on loan to Rihanna to wear at Clive Davis' pre-Grammy party, had been taken into police custody. They will soon be returned to their rightful owners.
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — R&B star Chris Brown is shooting down reports that he's dating Girlicious singer Natalie Mejia.
The pair was photographed together on Saturday when they visited West Hollywood tattoo parlor Tattoo Mania with another man.
LOS ANGELES — R&B star Chris Brown pleaded not guilty in a Los Angeles courtroom Monday to assaulting his girlfriend, singer Rihanna.
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