Chris Brown Charged As Details Of The Assault Emerge

The L.A. District Attorney's office announced Thursday that they were charging Chris Brown with two felonies, assault and making criminal threats, in his alleged assault on Rihanna.  If convicted, Brown faces anywhere from probation to a maximum four years and eight months in state prison, DA spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said.  He remains free on $50,000 bail

Chris was supposed to enter a plea today but his attorney asked for and was granted a continuance to April 6th.  It is unclear why they wanted to postpone the case -- possibly to conduct further investigations or possibly to strike a plea deal.  The rumor is there is a picture of Rihanna that the public has not seen that is unbelievable that Chris is trying to avoid being leaked at all costs.

I don't know, maybe he could have thought of that before he beat the crap out of her?

My guess, this absolutely never goes to trial and he pleads out to a misdemeanor and goes to counseling.  He never sees a minute of jail time.

Another prediction, his career is over.   

Brown, who stood emotionless in court, spoke only 4 words to the judge -- "yes," "yes," and "yes ma'am." The judge admonished Brown in open court, saying "You are not to annoy, harass, molest, threaten or use force or violence against anyone."  The judge asked Mark Geragos if there was a "no-contact order" in place, to which Geragos replied, "Miss Fenty [Rihanna] does not request such an order."  You can watch video of his court appearance here.

The felony complaint handed down in court Thursday morning identifies Brown's alleged victim only as "Robyn F." Rihanna's real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty.  Rihanna did not appear in court but her lawyer, Donald Etra, was.  Asked on the way out of the courtroom how Rihanna was holding up, Etra said, "She's doing great. She is making sure her rights are being protected at every stage of the proceedings." As for why Rihanna didn't want a stay-away order, he said, "She did not feel a stay-away order was necessary."

The details of the assault that have been released are horrifying.  And I cringe for her that she has to live this in the public eye.  According to a search warrant in the case:

Rihanna read a three-page text message from a woman on Chris's phone, which led to an argument.  Chris allegedly tried to force her out of the Lamborghini, and hit her head against the passenger window.

Rihanna then "turned to face Brown and he punched her in the left eye with his right hand," says the paperwork. "He then drove away in the vehicle and continued to punch her in the face with his right hand while steering the vehicle with his left hand."

According to the detective's notes taken by Det. De Shon Andrew, blood filled Rihanna's mouth. Brown, 19, allegedly told her, "I'm going to beat the s--- out of you when we get home. You wait and see!" Rihanna called her assistant and left a message saying, "I am on my way home. Make sure the cops are there when I get there." The police notes say that prompted Brown to reply: "You just did the stupidest thing ever. Now I'm really going to kill you."

The report also says that Brown bit Rihanna and put her in a headlock, and that she almost lost consciousness.

"Brown resumed punching [Rihanna] and she interlocked her fingers behind her head and brought her elbows forward to protect her face," according to the notes. "She then bent over at the waist, placing her elbows and face near her lap in attempt to protect her face and head from the barrage of punches being levied upon her by Brown."

Eventually, Rihanna began screaming for help and Brown got out of the car, according to the notes. A nearby resident heard the calls for help and called 911.

I am willing to bet a pretty penny on the fact that this was not the first time Chris has hit her.  I've worked in family violence a long time, and an attack like this does not come out of nowhere.  And I don't use the term attack lightly, but that is what this was, an attack.

Rihanna's relatives have started speaking out.  "I was annoyed. I never hit my daughter," says Ronald Fenty, Rihanna's father. "Why should he hit her? Why would any one do that? I was crazy, but I don't know the situation and I wasn't there."  "It's about time."  "He should be in jail," Rihanna's relative says of Chris."He deserves whatever he gets."

I've gotten a couple of emails questioning the issue of Rihanna not pressing charges and I will repeat what I said before.  Victims do not press charges, prosecutors do.  Unless they are married, she can be subpoenaed and compelled to testify, unless she committed a crime and has some 5th Amendment right to assert against self incrimination.  She can also lie, under oath.  Not a good idea, but she can.

A lot of jurisdictions do victimless prosecutions.  There are witnesses in this case.  There are pictures.  There is a 911 tape.  But as I said above, I'm willing to bet dollars to donuts this case never goes to trial.  Mark Geragos, Chris's attorney, is a smart man.  He is not going to try this.  Then again, he tried the Scott Peterson case.  But Scott Peterson is an egomaniac who I suspect wouldn't let him plea.  I suspect Chris wants this to go away, and quickly.

As for the rumor that Rihanna married him so she could not be compelled to testify, I hope against hope that that is not true.  But let's remember this girl is 21 years old, far away from her family, in the glare of the spotlight, and she loves him.  And most domestic violence victims stay.  Even though it doesn't make sense.  According to psychologist and author Lenore Walker, the average battered woman endures three to five violent incidents, from having her arm grabbed to an all-out beating, before she gives up on the relationship. 

It was raised yesterday that we may have some DV victims reading this site and it would be helpful to list some resources.  I would urge anyone in a violent relationship who needs help to click here or email me for some more resources. 

source, source, source, source, source

Comments

[Hilary]

This just makes my chest tighten up and my eyes burn. It's just an effing shame.

[Angela]

I hate that anyone goes through this kind of terror and abuse. No one deserves to be hit, not a woman, not a man, and certainly not a child.

The fact that so many of us have experienced domestic violence is just horrible, but I hope that by more people speaking out and bringing it to light it can be somehow stopped.

One hit is one hit too many. Get away, get help. It doesn't have to be this way.

[missie]

my question is this...why is chris brown still walking upright and not lying in some ICU somewhere? because that is exactly where he'd be if he had done to my daughter what he did to rhianna. regarless of my daughter's opinion in the matter.

just sayin.

[Hope]

I hadn't any of the full details about the attack until this. I'm doing my best not to tear up at work.

No one should have to go through this.

I hope that she gets the support that she needs to really and truly leave him.

[cagey]

Why do victims not press charges? Because they are literally afraid for their lives. If you have just escaped an angry bear, you do not go back to his cave and poke him with a stick. You get the hell out.

I have a family member and a friend who have both escaped abusive situations. Neither pressed charges. Yes, for the Greater Good, they should have pressed charges, but truly, they were both so frightened. They just wanted to escape and start their lives over.

[AS]

As someone who is pesonally going through the same situation right now, it is hard to imagine tha your life has gotten to that point.

I am married and we have a child (who is a witness to some of the attack) and it is still difficult to know what to do.

In my situation, I have alot of control over what happens to my husband (to be ex) and that is the most terrifying of all. I want him to "pay", but is him being in jail for 10 years going to help my little one?

[Suzy Q]

AS: Yes. In ways you haven't even thought of.

Jodifur, good post. I don't agree with your assertion that Brown's career is over, though. It should be, but Hollywood is fickle and forgiving.

[DianaCLT]

AS, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Be strong and brave for yourself and your daughter. She is learning from you and how you handle things! :)

Suzy Q - I concur. Though I wish his career was over, I just don't see it happening. Not with Diddy and Kanye in his corner. Where have all the celebs gone, who were speaking on Rihanna's behalf and supporting her, when this all happened?

[Jen]

I agree with Missie, if I didn't break the fucker neck my father would. I've said this before, where are her parents, especially her father?

Someone tried to tell me us little women can't defend ourselves from "big bad" men, tell that to the two I put in the hospital! Learn to defend yourselves ladies, there is NO reason to put up with shit like this, none!