Judge Approves Postponement Of Chris Brown's Arraignment On Felony Charges
March 6th 2009 11:29
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Judge Approves Postponement Of Chris Brown's Arraignment On Felony Charges
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- A judge approved a request by Chris Brown 's attorney to delay the R&B star's arraignment on Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court on two felony charges for an alleged incident involving Rihanna on February 8.
Brown appeared in court, where he stood at the side of his lawyer, Mark Geragos, as the attorney requested the arraignment be continued to April 6.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Rihanna: Music's Style Superstar
The judge granted the postponement and also approved a Waiver of Presence, which means Brown will not have to appear at further hearings before the April 6 arraignment date, unless ordered to do so by the court.
On Thursday morning, Brown was charged by the Los Angeles District Attorney's office with two felonies - one for assault and another for making criminal threats against an individual identified as Robyn F.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Chris Brown
Due to victim's rights issues, neither the Los Angeles Police Department, nor the LA DA's office, have confirmed Robyn F. is Rihanna , whose real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty.
However, at the hearing, attorney Donald Etra appeared on the behalf of " Rihanna , Robyn Fenty, the victim in this case," he told the judge in the courtroom, after Brown's hearing began.
His acknowledgement of Rihanna as the "victim" was the first official confirmation which named the R&B star.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Hottest Hip-Hop Stars!
" Rihanna chose not to be here in person today for obvious reasons and for me to appear in her sted," Etra told reporters outside the courtroom, following the hearing.
Etra explained that he attended the hearing to protect Rihanna in case the court ordered a "stay away order in the case," which the judge did not.
" Rihanna requested that no such order be issued, so the court ordered what's known as a level one protective order, ordering Chris Brown not to annoy, molest or harass her. We feel that is more than sufficient in this case," Etra told the press. "It's not a contact order. It's just one party cannot annoy, molest or harrass the other. So that's the order in affect now."
Though asked about whether Rihanna was cooperating with attorneys in the case, Etra said the facts of the case would come out "in time."
"This appearance fully protected Rihanna 's rights and what she really wants to convey is her [appreciation] to her friends, followers and family, the people who support her and the overwhelming support she has got around the world towards her," he said. "She really appreciates that."
As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Brown allegedly assaulted Rihanna during the early hours of February 8, biting and hitting her before leaving the scene.
Brown turned himself in and was arrested several hours later by the LAPD on charges of making criminal threats. He was released on $50,000 bail.
A week after the incident, Brown released a statement to Access Hollywood.
"Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired," he said in his statement. "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 appeared in court, where he stood at the side of his lawyer, Mark Geragos, as the attorney requested the arraignment be continued to April 6.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Rihanna: Music's Style Superstar
The judge granted the postponement and also approved a Waiver of Presence, which means Brown will not have to appear at further hearings before the April 6 arraignment date, unless ordered to do so by the court.
On Thursday morning, Brown was charged by the Los Angeles District Attorney's office with two felonies - one for assault and another for making criminal threats against an individual identified as Robyn F.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Chris Brown
Due to victim's rights issues, neither the Los Angeles Police Department, nor the LA DA's office, have confirmed Robyn F. is Rihanna , whose real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty.
However, at the hearing, attorney Donald Etra appeared on the behalf of " Rihanna , Robyn Fenty, the victim in this case," he told the judge in the courtroom, after Brown's hearing began.
His acknowledgement of Rihanna as the "victim" was the first official confirmation which named the R&B star.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Hottest Hip-Hop Stars!
" Rihanna chose not to be here in person today for obvious reasons and for me to appear in her sted," Etra told reporters outside the courtroom, following the hearing.
Etra explained that he attended the hearing to protect Rihanna in case the court ordered a "stay away order in the case," which the judge did not.
" Rihanna requested that no such order be issued, so the court ordered what's known as a level one protective order, ordering Chris Brown not to annoy, molest or harass her. We feel that is more than sufficient in this case," Etra told the press. "It's not a contact order. It's just one party cannot annoy, molest or harrass the other. So that's the order in affect now."
Though asked about whether Rihanna was cooperating with attorneys in the case, Etra said the facts of the case would come out "in time."
"This appearance fully protected Rihanna 's rights and what she really wants to convey is her [appreciation] to her friends, followers and family, the people who support her and the overwhelming support she has got around the world towards her," he said. "She really appreciates that."
As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Brown allegedly assaulted Rihanna during the early hours of February 8, biting and hitting her before leaving the scene.
Brown turned himself in and was arrested several hours later by the LAPD on charges of making criminal threats. He was released on $50,000 bail.
A week after the incident, Brown released a statement to Access Hollywood.
"Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired," he said in his statement. "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."
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