Singer Chris Brown’s punishment for assaulting his pop star girlfriend, Rihanna, is expected to become official Wednesday in a Los Angeles courtroom.
Rihanna will not attend Brown’s sentencing, where a judge is expected to impose five years of probation and about 1,400 hours in “labor-oriented service.” “Her presence is not required,” Rihanna’s lawyer Donald Etra said. “She will be working out of state.” Rihanna, whose real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, appeared briefly in court in June after Brown admitted guilt to a felony assault in a plea deal. His probation requires that Brown complete domestic violence counseling. The judge said he cannot have contact with Rihanna again until that is completed. Brown, 20, was arrested after an early morning argument inside a rented Lamborghini on a Hollywood street in February. The incident began when Rihanna, who was riding in the sports car driven by Brown, found a text message on his cell phone from “a woman who Brown had a previous sexual relationship with,” according to a sworn statement by Los Angeles Police Detective DeShon Andrews. “A verbal argument ensued,” followed by the physical attack, the statement said. It went on to describe the assault in great detail, saying Brown punched her numerous times and put her in a head lock, restricting her breathing and causing her to start to lose consciousness. He threatened to “beat the s–t” out of her and kill her, according to the statement, and also bit her ear and her fingers. Eventually, “Robyn F. began screaming for help and Brown exited the vehicle and walked away. A resident in the neighborhood heard Robyn F.’s plea for help and called 911, causing a police response. An investigation was conducted and Robyn F. was issued a Domestic Violence Emergency Protective Order.” At the end of his statement, the detective said Brown sent a text message nine days later, apologizing.
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Brown made a public apology last month in a video statement posted on his personal Web site Monday. “I have told Rihanna countless times, and I’m telling you today, that I’m truly, truly sorry in that I wasn’t able to handle the situation both differently and better,” Brown said. “What I did was unacceptable, 100 percent. I can only ask and pray that you forgive me. Please.” Brown, in the 2-minute video, said he wanted to “publicly express my deepest regret and accept full responsibility” since February, but he remained silent on the advice of his defense lawyer. See timeline of case ยป “Although I will do some interviews and answer some questions in the future, I felt it was time you heard directly from me that I am sorry,” he said. “I have tried to live my life in a way which can make those around me proud of me, and until recently, I think I was doing a pretty good job,” Brown said. “I wish I had the chance to relive those few moments again, but unfortunately I can’t. I cannot go into what happened, and most importantly, I’m not going to sit here and make any excuses.” “I take great pride in me being able to exercise self-control, and what I did was inexcusable,” Brown said in his video apology. “I am very sad and very ashamed of what I’ve done. My mother and my spiritual teachers have taught me way better than that.”
Brown, who lost several product endorsements after his arrest, said he realizes he has “truly been blessed” and he intends “to live my live so that I am truly worthy of the term role model.” “As many of you know, I grew up in a home where there was domestic violence, and I saw firsthand what uncontrolled rage can do,” he said. “I have sought and I am continuing to seek help to ensure that what occurred in February can never happen again. And 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.”
