Chris Brown will not serve jail time in connection with the February 8altercation with Rihanna that left his former girlfriend's face bloodied andbruised.
The incident is no longer alleged as Brown pleaded guilty Monday in LosAngeles Superior Court, the Associated Press reports. Instead of beginning thescheduled preliminary hearing, Brown admitted to one count of felony assault.
Because of Brown's plea, Rihanna did not have to testify, even though shewas on hand to do so.
While there have been rumors that Brown and Rihanna were maintaining arelationship, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg issued Rihannaa stay-away order.
This order requires that Rihanna and Brown stay 50 yards apart. They areallowed to come within 10 yards of each other when attending an industry event.The judge imposed this order even though Rihanna had not requested it.
On August 5, Brown will be sentenced to five years of supervised probationand six months of community labor, according to his attorney Mark Geragos.
Schnegg felt optimistic that Brown would be able to complete his communityservice in Virginia,his home state. Brown will also be required to take domestic violence coursesand return to Californiaevery three months for updates.
Schnegg applauded Brown for admitting guilt. "I think it's commendableyou took responsibility for your conduct," Schnegg said.
Brown and Rihanna, two of music's biggest young stars, have dominatedtabloid news for months as the media speculated exactly what happened onFebruary 8 after the couple left Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammy party.
Neither party spoke to the media about what happened; however, the policereport indicated that Brown attacked Rihanna before fleeing the scene in the Hancock Parksection of Los Angeles.
In May, Brown released a YouTube video in which he claimed that he was not amonster, in response to those who pre-maturely labeled him guilty.
Five years of probation is a long sentence, especially for a19-year-old. But Brown is fortunate that he does not have to serve any jailtime.
Schnegg served both Brown and Rihanna justice by imposingthe stay-away order. If the two are still together or considering reconcilingsome sort of intervention is needed to help them pursue a healthierrelationship.
Requiring Brown to take domestic violence classes is also important.However, if rumors are true that Brown and Rihanna had a volatile relationship,and the February 8 occurrence wasn't the first violence exchange, I think itwould be helpful for Rihanna to also be required to take some type of course.
Some of these philosophies were expressed in a blog I wrote in March (Chris Brown And Rihanna: Domestic Violence Rampant AmongTeens) in which I interviewed several professionals who work in socialservices.
I hope Brown and Rihanna and get back this ordeal. They are still extremelyyoung and talented.