Chris Brown Pleads Not Guilty

Last month the 19-year-old R&B singer was charged with two felonies – assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury and making criminal threats.

A lawyer for Rihanna didn’t speak during the five-minute hearing but afterwards said the 21-year-old singer hoped a plea deal could be reached before the case goes to trial.

“She would be pleased if this was over quickly,” attorney Donald Etra said. He said Rihanna was in “fine spirits” and spending time with her family in Barbados. Etra also noted that Rihanna would testify if required.

Brown is accused of assaulting Rihanna early Feb. 8, hours before the couple was supposed to appear and perform at the Grammy Awards. They were both no shows at the event.

According to court documents, an argument between the couple began Feb. 8 after Rihanna read a text message on Brown’s cell phone from “a woman who Brown had a previous sexual relationship with,” as reported by CNN.com. Brown punched Rihanna while driving, bit her, put her in a headlock and threatened to kill her, according to detective’s notes from the scene of the assault.

If Brown is convicted of the felony charges, his sentence could range from probation to four years and eight months in state prison.

Since the time of the incident, Brown’s career has gone downhill as his songs were pulled from radio playlists and he was dropped by the Got Milk? campaign and Wrigley’s Gum ads.

An online petition asked Nickelodeon to remove Brown as a nominee for its annual Kids’ Choice Awards, which took place March 28. Brown was up for favorite male singer and he was also competing with Rihanna for favorite song. Brown removed himself from the ballot.

Read the AP article here.