The felony assault case against singer Chris Brown, accused of attacking singer Rihanna, returns to a Los Angeles court for arraignment Monday afternoon.
Brown, 19, can either enter a plea on the charges or ask for another delay in the case. Rihanna, 21, will not attend the hearing, her lawyer said. Authorities charged Brown with felony counts of assault and making criminal threats, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said. If he is convicted, the sentence could range from probation to four years and eight months in prison, the office said. The attack is said to have happened during an argument in February that began when Rihanna, who had been dating Brown, found a text message from another woman on his cell phone, according to a sworn police statement. When Brown appeared for his first hearing a month ago, Rihanna’s lawyer asked the judge not to prohibit Brown from having contact with her while he faces felony charges of assaulting her. Watch Brown at his court appearance ยป
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The judge granted Rihanna’s request, only warning Brown “not to annoy, harass, molest, threaten or use force or violence against anyone.” Brown issued a public apology for the incident in February.
“Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired,” he said in a statement released by his spokesman. “I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones, and I am committed, with God’s help, to emerging a better person.” Brown has not commented publicly since issuing that statement.
