14 DAY TRIAL // A few hours ago, 19-year-old singer Chris Brown got his “day” in court, where the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office charged him with two felonies, assault and making criminal threats, stemming from the February 8 incident involving girlfriend Rihanna. Brown’s attorney, Mark Geragos, did not enter a plea in the case, but asked for the arraignment to be postponed until April 6, a request the judge easily granted, TMZ reports.
While it is not yet certain why Brown wants the case postponed, what is known is that he faces a maximum of four years and eight months in jail if found guilty on both counts. During the 4-minute-something hearing that just took place, Chris Brown did not make any statement, choosing to let his lawyer do all the talking, the aforementioned media outlet further informs. He was cautioned by the judge, though, that he was not to engage in any violent manifestation pending sentencing.
“During the proceeding, Brown signed a waiver of presence, allowing his lawyer to act on his behalf – meaning he won’t have to show up to any minor court proceedings before April 6. Brown, who stood emotionless in court, spoke only four words to the judge – ‘yes,’ ‘yes,’ and ‘yes ma’am.’ After Brown’s request to continue the case had been granted, the judge warned Brown, ‘You are not to annoy, harass, molest, threaten or use force or violence against anyone.’ The judge asked Rihanna’s attorney Donald Etra if there was a ‘no-contact order’ in place, to which Etra replied, ‘Miss Fenty [Rihanna] does not request such an order’.” TMZ says.
At the moment, reports have it that Chris Brown is seeking to postpone the arraignment because he’s trying to avoid a trial at all costs. A police photo allegedly taken of Rihanna’s injuries on February 9, a day after the altercation, and that has never been made public, is said to be “devastating,” making the leaked one pale by comparison. Brown, it is believed, will try to strike a plea deal until April 6, and thus avoid going to trial and being publicly disgraced.
Police documents made public by TMZ reveal that, indeed, on the night of the altercation, Chris Brown really did threaten to kill Rihanna – and, what’s worse, she told the police when they arrived at the scene that she actually believed it. “On or between February 7, 2009 and February 8, 2009, in the County of Los Angeles, the crime of CRIMINAL THREATS, in violation of PENAL CODE SECTION 422, a Felony, was committed by CHRISTOPHER BROWN, who did willfully and unlawfully threaten to commit a crime which would result in death and great bodily injury to ROBYN F., with the specific intent that the statement be taken as a threat. It is further alleged that the threatened crime [...] was so unequivocal, unconditional, immediate and specific as to convey to ROBYN F. a gravity of purpose and an immediate prospect of execution.” the police documents just made public unveil.
Upon leaving court, neither Chris Brown nor his attorney was available for comment.