File photo —  03/05/09/Bob Chamberlin/Los Angeles Times

Singer Chris Brown escaped a jail term in his felony domestic violence case this afternoon, but the Los Angeles County Superior Court judge slapped him with a tough probation sentence. Judge Patricia Schnegg sentenced the popular R&B entertainer to five years of felony probation, 180 days of community labor, and 52 weeks in a domestic violence counseling program. Brown will be serving his sentence in his home state of Virginia, but must return here periodically to provide Judge Schnegg with a progress report.

In June, the 20-year-old Brown pretty much accepted these terms when he admitted he was guilty of felony assault as part of a plea deal. The singer was arrested last February and was charged with beating then pop star girlfriend, Rihanna, during an argument in a rented sports car on a residential street in Los Angeles. It’s hard to forget that photo of Rihanna’s battered face.

Earlier,  a protective order was issued for the 21-year-old victim, Robyn Rihanna Fenty. Today the judge extended that restraining order until the end of Brown’s five years of probation. That may be the toughest punishment of all for Brown. Also, the judge warned Brown that she had heard “chatter” on the airwaves, like the rest of us, about the former lovers hooking up. If that happens from here on, it’s a violation of Brown’s probation and that would send him to state prison.

Meanwhile, Brown’s career has taken a beating as well. Since his arrest, the entertainer has lost lucrative endorsements and some radio stations have stopped playing his music. Rebuilding his career and image will probably be a top priority for Brown.

File Photo: TV Guide/Frank Micelotta/Getty Image–Rihanna & Chris Brown

Shortly before a preliminary hearing was set to get underway in a Downtown Los Angeles courtroom this afternoon, singer Chris Brown accepted a plea deal in his domestic violence case. Brown is accused of beating up long time girlfriend/singer/model, Rihanna, in a sports car on a Los Angeles street, following a pre-Grammy Awards party February 8, 2009.

Today Brown pleaded guilty to felony assault likely to cause great bodily injury. The plea agreement calls for the 20-year-old entertainer to be sentenced to 180 days of community labor, which means it has to be something like trash clean-up or graffiti removal not handing out cookies to needy kids. Brown will be on probation for five years and must complete a year-long domestic violence program as well. The singer will be formally sentenced in August.

Apparently Rihanna’s appearance at the court and readiness to take the stand to detail the vicious attack, prompted Brown to take the deal. Also, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg ordered Brown to stay at least 50 yards away from Rihanna, unless it’s at a public event and then it’s 10 yards.

The question being asked by a lot of folks now is will this couple get back together as so many others involved in domestic violence do? There’s been an incredible amount of publicity and attention focused on this incident, complete with publicized photos of 21-year-old Rihanna’s bloody and bruised face. Still, the statistics show that domestic violence victims frequently forgive their attackers and go back to them again and again. Rihanna has received a ton of advice from fans, experts, and even Oprah to dump Brown and move on. It’s her decision to make. We will have to wait and see what she decides.

Photo 03/05/09: Bob Chamberlin/Los Angeles Times

Singer Chris Brown was greeted by a horde of photographers, reporters, and some screaming fans when he arrived in a black SUV at a Los Angeles County criminal courthouse in Downtown L.A. today. Shortly after 3:30 p.m., Brown was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to a couple of felonies; assault likely to cause great bodily harm and making criminal threats. Brown first appeared in court in connection with these charges last month.

The charges stem from a reported violent altercation on a street in the Los Angeles upscale neighborhood of Hancock Park between 19-year-old Brown and his long-time pop star/model girlfriend Rihanna in February. Brown apparently lost it and allegedly brutally beat 21-year-old Rihanna. Details from police reports indicate Rihanna was the victim of a vicious assault. Photos of Rihanna’s battered face confirmed it.

The domestic violence incident resulted in some heavy blows to Brown’s squeaky-clean image from his sponsors, the media, and music fans. Most folks have been sympathetic toward Rihanna. Also, reports that the two entertainers might be getting back together got thumbs down from many due mainly to concerns for Rihanna’s safety.

Today’s arraignment lasted only a few minutes. Rihanna did not attend the hearing. Nevertheless, her attorney Donald Etra told reporters outside the courtroom that the singer is “doing fine” and she will testify if subpoenaed “… and will do everything that the law requires her to do.”

The next court hearing in the case is April 29, 2009. If convicted of the charges, Brown could be sentenced to probation or as much as four years and eight months in prison.

More legal drama in singer Chris Brown’s domestic violence case involving his model/pop star girlfriend, Rihanna. Today the Los Angeles Times is reporting that Brown’s attorneys have requested a closed-door hearing. Hmm, this means no media or the public allowed.

The L.A. Times story suggests the focus of the hearing will be the testimony of some witnesses. The hearing has been set for Monday, March 23, 2009 before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg.

This may be another attempt at damage control by the Brown camp. Yesterday, the singer withdrew his name from the Kids’ Choice Awards ballot. That was a good idea. Also, there are reports out that Brown and Rihanna have reconciled and recorded a duet. If they think they can now go back to being just a regular celebrity couple, they need to get real. 

 It appears both careers and reputations have been tainted by this domestic violence incident/investigation: Brown more than Rihanna. Still at this point, I think very few people are interested in listening to a new duet on the radio by an alleged batterer and his suspected victim.

More negative fallout for singer Chris Brown because of that domestic violence investigation involving his pop star girlfriend, Rihanna. Today Brown withdrew his name from consideration for two Kids’ Choice Awards. In a statement a spokesman said: “Chris very much appreciates the support of his fans and the honor they have paid him in the way of nominations for Favorite Male Singer and Favorite Song,” according to the People website.

Media reports say Nickelodeon, the sponsor of the awards, has been bombarded by complaints wanting both Brown and Rihanna’s names removed from nominations. Yesterday, the entertainment company refused to do that. Today, Brown did the smart thing and bowed out.

 The 2009 Kids’ Choice Awards winners will be announced Saturday,  March 28, during a live telecast from UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion.

Meanwhile, Brown is facing two felony charges from the alleged assault on February 8 and is free on $50,000 bond. Recently, Brown made a brief appearance in a Los Angeles Superior court where his arraignment was delayed until April 6, 2009.  Brown faces a maximum of four years and eight months in state prison.

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Pop and R&B singer Chris Brown was charged with two felonies today as a result of what was apparently a brutal attack on his pop star/model girlfriend, Rihanna, last month. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office filed the charges this morning, accusing Brown of committing an assault likely to cause “great bodily harm” and making terrorist threats.

There are reports all over the Internet today with details of the alleged attack, which are painful to read. Court documents indicate Brown viciously beat, bit, and then threatened to kill the victim, identified as Robyn F.  Rihanna’s full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty. Copies of the court document/ affidavit are on the Los Angeles Times and CNN websites.

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According to the court documents, the spark for the alleged attack was the discovery of a text message from another woman on Brown’s phone by 21-year-old Rihanna. It happened early on February 8, after a pre-Grammy event the couple had attended. The couple, with 19-year-old Brown at the wheel of a rented Lamborghini, argued. The altercation soon escalated with Brown reportedly shoving, punching, choking, biting, and threatening Rihanna. 

 Eventually, Brown stopped the vehicle on a street in Hancock Park, but the alleged attack continued. A resident heard Rihanna’s screams for help and called police. When officers arrived at the scene they found a battered Rihanna and the Lamborghini, but Brown had fled on foot.

Hours later, Brown turned himself in at a police station, was booked, and then released on $50,000 bond.  If found guilty of the charges Brown could be sentenced to probation or the maximum of four years and eight months in state prison.

Brown appeared briefly in Los Angeles Superior Court this afternoon. The singer was supposed to be arraigned on the charges, but that was postponed until April 6,  2009. Also, Brown was ordered “not to annoy, harass, molest, threaten or use force or violence against anyone ” by the court commissioner, according to the People website.

Over the weekend, reports surfaced that the couple has been attempting to reconcile. Rihanna needs to think long and hard about the consequences,( mental, physical, and career), of staying with a man who will beat you bloody for any reason. And yes, statistics have shown that the chances of it happening again are high, unless that man gets some serious therapy.

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 Pop star/model and suspected domestic violence victim, Rihanna, is speaking out. Rihanna’s P.R. firm released a statement yesterday. It was the first from Rihanna and her representatives since the February 8th street fight incident in Los Angeles.

A story on the People website includes part of the statement: “At the request of the authorities, Rihanna is not commenting about the incident involving Chris Brown,” says the statement from her rep on Friday. “She wants to assure her fans that she remains strong, is doing well, and deeply appreciates the outpouring of support she has received during this difficult time.”

An apparent photo of battered Rihanna surfaced on the Internet Thursday. It makes you wonder what’s taking the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office so long to complete its investigation on whether to file some tough charges against Chris Brown.

Brown’s case is due to go to court on March 5th. 

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Pop star/model Rihanna remains in seclusion, but a photo allegedly showing her battered face is all over the Internet today. The photo first appeared on the celebrity gossip website TMZ last night. Newsradio KNX 1070  has the photo on its site. Ironically, today is Rihanna’s 21st birthday.

 Last night, the LAPD put up a statement questioning the source of the photo on its website: ” The unauthorized release of a domestic violence photograph immediately generated an internal investigation. At about 7 p.m. on February 19, 2009, the Los Angeles Police Department Media Relations Section began receiving numerous inquiries about the release of a photograph associated with a domestic violence incident that occurred on February 8, 2009, involving entertainer Chris Brown.  The photograph appeared on an entertainment website.  The photograph has the appearance of one taken during an official Domestic Violence investigation.

The Los Angeles Police Department takes seriously its duty to maintain the confidentiality of victims of domestic violence.

The Department launched an immediate internal investigation and subsequently filed a personnel complaint.  

A violation of this type is considered serious misconduct, with penalties up to and including termination.

Anyone with information concerning the unauthorized release of the photograph is asked to call, during regular business hours, 213-485-4152.  After-hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to our 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Callers may also text “CRIMES” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web Tips.  When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with “LAPD.”  Tipsters may remain anonymous.”

That alleged domestic violence incident occurred after a pre-Grammy affair on a street in Los Angeles. Pop singer Chris Brown and a woman got into an argument, which apparently turned violent. By the time the police arrived only the woman was still at the scene. The police have refused to identify the woman, but some media sources claim it was Brown’s long time girlfriend, Rihanna.

Brown released his own statement on Sunday, February 15, saying he was “sorry and saddened” by the incident. Brown was booked by the LAPD for making criminal threats and is free on $50,000 bond. His case is due to go to court on March 5.