Thursday, March 05, 2009

CHRIS BREEZY APPEARS IN COURT

Chris Brown showed up in court today after being hit with two felony charges.



Breezy - wearing a gray suit with a light gray tie and matching vest -- stepped out of a black SUV Escalade 3:30 p.m. PST before entering the building. His mother and brother also arrived together.

During the short session at the L.A. Superior Court, Brown did not enter a plea to the two felony charges against him. He instead signed a waiver that showed he understood that his attorney, Mark Geragos, would be appearing for him when the arraignment continues in four weeks.

Donald Etra was representing Rihanna, who did not appear at the arraignment, and he said that she asked him to attend on her behalf.

"The victim is entitled to be represented at all proceedings," he said.

The court commissioner, Kristi Loustau, offered a "Level 1" protective order for Rihanna, which is the lowest level of a stay-away order for the victim.

"You are not to annoy, harass, molest or use any form of violence against anyone," Loustau told Brown during the session.

Although Etra said that Rihanna requested no form of a restraining order against Brown, he added: "This is more than efficient to protect her in this case."

Brown, who was visibly somber during the arraignment (very different from his jet skiing weekend), only said a few words, including "Yes, your honor."

After the arraignment, Etra said that Rihanna "wanted to convey her appreciation to the friends, followers and family" that have supported her. When asked about the couple's reconciliation, Etra said that "this is not the time to discuss that."

Geragos and the district attorney's office did not comment.

Brown is facing assault by means likely to create great bodily injury and criminal threats. He has been free on $50,000 bail since his arrest. If convicted, he faces four years and eight months in state prison.

Stan Goldman, a professor of law at Loyola University said that Brown looked "slightly dazed."

Although Geragos asked his former professor to attend, Goldman said that he is not speaking for the attorney.

"[There is] nothing I would correct him on if I was his counsel," he said of Brown's presence at the proceedings.

He also said that because Rihanna did not request a stay-away order, "it does suggest she doesn't want him to stay away." He said that if she refuses to testify, the case will likely not go to trial.

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