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Everyone is buzzing about the incident that took place between Chris Brown and his girlfriend during Oscar week.
Additionally rumors are swirling as to whether or not the two are back together. A hint may come from Brown's court appearance on March 5, 2009. Rihanna's lawyer, Donald Etra, shook hands and spoke with Chris Brown in the court room after Brown's appearance before Los Angeles County Judge Kristi Lousteau on felony assault & criminal threat charges. During proceedings the judge asked Rihanna's lawyer if a no contact order was requested and the response was that Ms. Fenty (Rihanna) does not request a no contact order against Brown. Meaning that she is not asking the court to order him not to contact her. Etra, Rihanna's lawyer stood near Brown and his lawyer, Mark Geragos, during the brief hearing. Rihanna was not in the courtroom.
Brown issued a statement a week after the incident saying that he was “sorry and saddened” about the incident. Should he "take a bow" as her music video tells a boyfriend who is "only sorry he got caught" to do? (youtube video link above) If the two get back together does that send a message to abusers? Additionally - since Rihanna & Chris Brown are currently mini-icons to the Hip Hop & R&B community would it be proper to reflect upon how our music speaks about women of color as well as how our music says that women of color should be treated, what they are good for? Should we pause and reflect upon the need to check our self before purchasing music that belittles women of color because the best way to ask for more of the same is to make a purchase?
These are questions I hope you will ponder as you reflect on this situation and as you make future music choices.
For this situation Chris Brown requested and received a delayed arraignment, he also signed a presence waiver allowing his lawyer to represent him in the future, meaning that he will not have to physically appear in future proceedings until the official arraignment (April 6th) about what allegedly happened on February 8th between Chris Brown and a passenger only identified as "Robyn F." Rihanna's full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty. Excerpts from the he sworn statement by Los Angeles Police Detective DeShon Andrews detailing what allegedly happened that morning are below.
<b>According to the sworn statement:</b>
"Brown was driving a vehicle with Robyn F. as the front passenger on an unknown street in Los Angeles. Robyn F. picked up Brown's cellular phone and observed a three-page text message from a woman who Brown had a previous sexual relationship with. A verbal argument ensued and Brown pulled the vehicle over on an unknown street, reached over Robyn F. with his right hand, opened the car door and attempted to force her out. Brown was unable to force Robyn F. out of the vehicle because she was wearing a seat belt. When he could not force her to exit, he took his right hand and shoved her head against the passenger window of the vehicle, causing an approximate one-inch raised circular contusion.
"Robyn F. turned to face Brown and he punched her in the left eye with his right hand. He then drove away in the vehicle and continued to punch her in the face with his right hand while steering the vehicle with his left hand. The assault caused Robyn F.'s mouth to fill with blood and blood to splatter all over her clothing and the interior of the vehicle. Brown looked at Robyn F. and stated, 'I'm going to beat the s--t out of you when we get home! You wait and see!' "
Robyn F. picked up her cellular phone and called her personal assistant -- [who] did not answer the phone but while her voicemail greeting was playing, Robyn F. pretended to talk to her and stated 'I'm on my way home. Make sure the cops are there when I get there.'
After Robyn F. faked the call, Brown looked at her and stated, 'You just did the stupidest thing ever! Now I'm really going to kill you!'
"Brown resumed punching Robyn F. and she interlocked her fingers behind her head and brought her elbows forward to protect her face. She then bent over at the waist, placing her elbows and face near her lap in [an] attempt to protect her face and head from the barrage of punches being levied upon her by Brown. Brown continued to punch Robyn F. on her left arm and hand, causing her to suffer a contusion on her left triceps (sic) that was approximately two inches in diameter and numerous contusions on her left hand.
"Robyn F. then attempted to send a text message to her other personal assistant. Brown snatched the cellular telephone out of her hand and threw it out of the window onto an unknown street.
"Brown continued driving and Robyn F. observed his cellular telephone sitting in his lap. She picked up the cellular telephone with her left hand and before she could make a call he placed her in a head lock with his right hand and continued to drive the vehicle with his left hand.
"Brown pulled Robyn F. close to him and bit her on her left ear. She was able to feel the vehicle swerving from right to left as Brown sped away. He stopped the vehicle ... and Robyn F. turned off the car, removed the key from the ignition and sat on it. Brown did not know what she did with the key and began punching her in the face and arms. He then placed her in a head lock positioning the front of her throat between his bicep and forearm. Brown began applying pressure to Robyn F.'s left and right carotid arteries, causing her to be unable to breathe and she began to lose consciousness.
"She reached up with her left hand and began attempting to gouge his eyes in an attempt to free herself. Brown bit her left ring and middle fingers and then released her. While Brown continued to punch her, she turned around and placed her back against the passenger door. She brought her knees to her chest, placed her feet against Brown's body and began pushing him away. Brown continued to punch her on the legs and feet, causing several contusions.
"Robyn F. began screaming for help and Brown exited the vehicle and walked away. A resident in the neighborhood heard Robyn F.'s plea for help and called 911, causing a police response. An investigation was conducted and Robyn F. was issued a Domestic Violence Emergency Protective Order."
Andrews closed his statement saying Brown sent her text message apologizing nine days later. The official affidavit, available below, includes detailed statement from the personal assistant mentioned above.
<a href="http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/03/05/brown.warrant.pdf">
See CNN's PDF of the official affidavit & search warrant</a>
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