Delay Denied For Chris Brown Case
Posted on
Wednesday June 10, 2009
at
05:01 PM
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Chris Brown’s preliminary hearing in his assault case is still scheduled for June 22, after two justices from California’s Second District Court of Appeal rejected an appeal by the singer’s lawyer to delay the hearing.
Attorney Mark Geragos argued the hearing should be delayed because a California Supreme Court case currently under consideration could affect Brown’s access to police records. He explained that if the California Supreme Court ruled that defendants have access to police files before the preliminary hearing, rather than afterward, that Brown would have to deal with “the expense and degradation of two preliminary hearings.”
The order signed by the justices did not give a reason as to why the appeal was rejected.
Jingle Ball, Madison Square Garden, New York, N.Y.
December 12, 2008
(AP Photo)
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The 20-year-old R&B singer was arrested Feb. 8 for allegedly beating up fellow singer and then-girlfriend Rihanna during an argument while driving home from Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy Awards party.
After being charged with two felonies – assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury and making criminal threats – Brown pleaded not guilty April 6.
The preliminary hearing will determine if there’s another evidence to continue a case against Brown.
Chris Brown, right, and his attorney Mark Geragos, left, appear during his arraignment at the Los Angeles County Criminal Courts.
April 6, 2009
(AP Photo)
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During a court hearing May 28, a judge rejected a motion by Brown’s attorneys to receive police and investigative records on the ground that it was premature. Geragos wants to get his hands on Los Angeles Police Department personnel files, including info related to an investigation regarding the photo of a beaten Rihanna that was leaked to TMZ. The attorney was told he could file the motion again at the preliminary hearing.
Rihanna is expected to make an appearance at Brown’s preliminary hearing as a possible witness in the case.
If Brown is convicted of the felony charges, his sentence could range from probation to four years and eight months in state prison.
--Sarah Marie Pittman