Chris Brown Gets Five Years Probation for Beating Rihanna

Us Magazine - June 22, 2009 3:44 PM PDT
Story photo: Chris Brown Gets Five Years Probation for Beating RihannaChris Brown arrives to the court house in Los Angeles on June 22, 2009. Splash NewsUs Magazine
Chris Brown pleaded guilty to one count of felony assault against Rihanna in a downtown Los Angeles Courtroom Monday.

As part of the plea bargain, the singer, 20, will receive five years probation and spend 180 days doing community labor in Virginia. Brown will also move home to Virginia, his lawyer, Mark Geragos, announced in court, but will return to California once every three months for updates. During his probation, he must also obey a protective order, which means he cannot harm or harrass Rihanna, and a stay-away order, which requires him to stay at least 50 yards away from Rihanna at all times.

Rihanna did not have to testify.

Brown arrived at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center at 1:30 PDT this afternoon for the hearing. He was escorted inside by eight uniformed officers and a bodyguard.

See photos of stars in court.

Brown -- who donned a gray striped suit, brown shoes and striped tie -- appeared solemn, according to a witness. His mother followed behind him. The duo were both looking down.

Rihanna wore a black dress, sunglasses and pearls to the hearing, but was not in the courtroom when the judge handed down his decision to Brown.

After Brown left the courtroom, Rihanna entered through a private entrance. She and her lawyer, Donald Etra, discussed the protective order with Judge Patricia Schnegg. Because the two might appear at the same public events, the judge said that in those instances, the 50-yard stay away order would turn into a 10-yard order.

In addition, the judge said that the two-way order prevents Rihanna from contacting Brown at any point. Etra told the judge several times that such a stay-away order was not necessary, but Schnegg said she wanted to be cautious.

Look back at Chris and Rihanna's happier days.

Brown turned himself into police in February for allegedly beating Rihanna. He was charged with two felonies.

He'll be formally sentenced Aug. 5.

After the hearing, Geragos addressed the media outside the courthouse.

"This is a kid who has never been in trouble before, who wants to move past this," his attorney said. "He has accepted responsibility and will continue to do so. He embraces this as an opportunity to get his life back on track and his career back on track."

Geragos said that although Brown wanted to thank his fans, he has restricted the singer from making a statement until after his official sentencing.

Rihanna's lawyer, Etra, also spoke to reporters and said that his client was "feeling fine" after the hearing.

"She was fully prepared to testify, and she would have told he truth about what happened that evening," he said.

He added that he and Rihanna -- who felt the protective order was sufficient but that the stay-away order was unnecessary -- would discuss a reduction in the latter. Schnegg said she would consider such a change only after the August sentencing.



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comments 1-10 of 91  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • Oladapo
    i feel it wasn't chris's fault and the whole stuff has been over emphasised. i know chris didn't mean to hurt her
    report abuseposted September 4, 2009 2:27 AM PDT
  • Joyce
    Cris brown dats messed up but ya whipped her ass
    report abuseposted July 17, 2009 9:25 AM PDT
  • lady tink
    SHE DESERVED CAUSE SHE SHOULDNT HAVE PUT HER HANDS ON HIM THEY IN A CAR SUPPOSE HE LOST CONTROL AND THEY BOTH DIED H3LL0 I LUV YEW CHRIS BROWN
    report abuseposted July 13, 2009 9:38 AM PDT
  • lady tink
    SHE DESERVED CAUSE SHE SHOULDNT HAVE PUT HER HANDS ON HIM THEY IN A CAR SUPPOSE HE LOST CONTROL AND THEY BOTH DIED H3LL0 I LUV YEW CHRIS BROWN
    report abuseposted July 13, 2009 9:38 AM PDT
  • davemau8
    If the boxing glove fits... you must acquit!
    report abuseposted July 10, 2009 6:30 PM PDT
  • nicole
    I've been in a abusive relationship and I am sure that was not Chris' first time hitting Rihanna. She probably was so hurt and mad that she called the police because it went farther then it had before.
    report abuseposted July 7, 2009 4:50 PM PDT
  • cdmunchkin
    i like rihanna as a model
    report abuseposted July 7, 2009 2:31 PM PDT
  • cdmunchkin
    i like rihanna as a model
    report abuseposted July 7, 2009 2:30 PM PDT
  • Dara
    THIS WHOLE SITUATION HAS GONE TO FAR..... CHRIS SHOULD HAVE PUT HIS HANDS ON HER!!!!
    report abuseposted July 5, 2009 9:24 PM PDT
  • Candice
    I had a feelin' he wouldn't get locked up everybody was all hype...AH HA!
    report abuseposted June 30, 2009 4:52 AM PDT
comments 1-10 of 91  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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