Rihanna has reunited with abuser Chris Brown, but her lawyer stated in a brief press conference that the singer will testify against Brown in his upcoming felony trial if prosecutors require it. This is a different story than was previously released earlier this week stating that Rihanna was refusing to cooperate with L.A. County prosecutors in the case. Though she declined the judge’s offer of issuing a protection order against Brown, Rihanna’s lawyer said in the conference that her rights will be protected in this case, and she has not indicated that she will refuse to give her side of the story.
Rihanna’s lawyer Donald Etra tells Usmagazine.com that the 21-year-old singer could wind up testifying in the felony assault case against her boyfriend Chris Brown.
“She is planning to do everything that the law requires her to do,” Etra tells Us. “If she is required to testify, she will do so.”
Rihanna was not present Thursday as Brown, 19, briefly appeared at Los Angeles Superior Court after being charged with two felonies (assault likely to cause great bodily injury and making criminal threats) for allegedly beating her Feb 8 in Los Angeles. Etra – who was in court – did not request a more restrictive order that Brown stay away from her.
He said she has provided no comments on the outcome she wants in the case.
“The fact is, Rihanna desires that it be quick and expeditious,” he told Us. “She wants to get back to her life and her career.”
Asked how she is doing, Etra tells Us, “She is doing fine. She really appreciates the love and support of her fans.”
He declined to comment on reports that Brown is taking anger management classes. (It has been rumored that Brown is attending classes as part of a plea bargain that his lawyer Mark Geragos is trying to work out to avoid a trial.)
“That is best addressed to his attorney,” said Etra, who also would not comment on Rihanna’s decision to get back together with Brown.
“It would be inappropriate to comment on the nature of their relationship,” he said.
I think the nature of their relationship is painfully obvious to everyone. It’s a relief to know that Rihanna isn’t forfeiting her right to testify against her abuser – but she is putting herself in a very dangerous position by continuing to stay with Brown. It would be very easy for him to pressure her into changing her testimony for his benefit as long as they are still involved. As long as he is able to exert power over her and keep her isolated from anyone who might be able to talk some sense into her, chances are slim that Brown will serve any jail time. Which is sickening.
Here’s Rihanna the night of the Clive Davis Grammy party – just hours before her boyfriend beat her to a pulp and threatened to kill her. Credits: WENN.
Chris Brown’s defense team is rolling the dice that they will get a deal before the April arraignment. I think people are going to stop making excuses for him and go public with their feelings like Nick Cannon. I have to wonder if RiRi’s endorsement deals are in jeopardy bc of the reunion. Why would CoverGirl want a spokesperson that returns to an abusive relationship? I am not saying she should be punished in any way, but she is sending the wrong message to young fans…
I had so much respect for her once, thinking that she was a strong woman.
not anymore.
This makes me so sad.
And for everyone covering her saying “it’s abused woman’s syndrome” or whatever- I call bullshit. She has the resources to get out of that relationship and protect herself- yet she does nothing.
Perhaps when he splashes Drain-O on her face or does some more permanent physical damage she’ll wake the fuck up and get out.
“Why would CoverGirl want a spokesperson that returns to an abusive relationship?”
Foundation is great for covering up bruises! lulz.
I don’t understand how, if Chris Brown were to pressure her into changing her story, it would even be listened to considering the LAPD guy’s notes and the blood in the car and her injuries that support the LAPD notes. There is no other reason for her injuries that I can see. If she had been thrown from the car, she would have had some kind of pavement burn. If she beat herself up she couldn’t have bitten her own ear.
All evidence (that we’re getting from rather shady sources) points to Chris Brown beating the hell out of her and changing her story now, to me, can’t change that fact.
I really, really hope Rhianna is coming to her senses and will testify against this monster…
Whatever happens, she needs to distance herself from him! According to the police accounts he beat her viciously, and a sick bastard who would do something like that is not a safe person to be around, it’ll only get worse.
Seems so obvious from the outside, but I guess if you’re actually in the relationship and under his control, it’s not so simple…
It usually isn’t, but she has enough information available and twice as many resources.
She knows better and should not use ANY reason at all to stay.
is very interesting the way he WORDED his statement.In Cal, the law does not REQUIRE her to testify.
It used to be, that the victim was required to testify or face jail time herself. The governator changed that. Issuing that: the victim does not have to testify or even cooperate. Ri is actually allowed to testify for the defense. In no way is she, any longer, REQUIRED BY LAW in California to testify for the state.
Basically I hear him saying she’s not going to. Why would she really? She took him back. Why would she want to send her boyfriend to jail. I hope they have enough evidence (car, photos, witness, assistant(s) testimony) I think and it’s confusing. I think the new laws state the police report is hearsay unless she takes the stand to give Brown’s lawyer right to cross.
If I was marketing @ CoverGirl I would be embarrassed to have her as spokesperson (assuming she stays w/ CB)
or everyone will agree with ?:
[quote]?:“Why would CoverGirl want a spokesperson that returns to an abusive relationship?”
Foundation is great for covering up bruises! lulz. [/quote]
She’s a face – and a beautiful face – for Cover Girl. What on earth does her personal life have to do with that?
Agree, Lem. I think there’s a huge risk of her losing endorsements because she’s gone back to him. Those pics of her injuries are not what a major international cosmetic company wants people to be thinking about when they see her face advertising their products. And for the immediate future, that battered face is the first thing that will come to people’s minds when her name is mentioned. Definitely not an image that CoverGirl would want.
Well the idea of going to jail for obstructing justice probably changed Rhi’s mind in a heart-beat. That non-testimonial clause we hear about, only covers legal spouses.
“if required”, “if needed”??? Someone give her some smelling salts and tell her that yes, she’s required to testify, thanks!
As for the Cover Girl situation that may or may not be relevant… What kind of company would fire their spokesperson for being beaten up? It would hardly look supportive. Its her right to return. CG would be walking a very fine line.
Chris Brown’s endorsements are another story. Does he have any left? If he has, that also speaks volumes for those companies ethics.
If she’s called to testify, she’ll likely be considered a hostile witness which means her testimony won’t carry too much weight for the prosecution’s case.
Maybe she went back to him to just try to end the fall out and attention and pressure and everything that must be going on. And dollars to donuts she feels guilty for “making things difficult” for Brown, for the attention, and so on, maybe she’s thinking it’ll all go away if she goes back to him, they deal with the court thing, and things can go back to “normal”. Did Brown lay a guilt trip on her? Probably. You know, she’s young, maybe she’s not all that aware and has little real life experience to deal with this. I can totally see that in her mind, this has become more complicated to deal with than she can handle. I feel sorry for her…she’s probably got tons of pressure on her, coming from all kinds of places, maybe she knows that she herself is facing all kinds of criticism, and maybe even from people she thought were her friends, or whatever, and coupled with being young, maybe it’s too much to expect her to do the right thing. Maybe she doesn’t know how, or is too young to have the courage to do so. To me, her actions of a young kid that just doesn’t know that much and sad as it may be, only experience is going to teach her about life, and that may well end badly. No one knows. I think the only thing one can do is what her father is saying, is that they’ll be there for her and support her. I mean, the LAST thing she needs right now is to be judged. We all know how crappy that feels, so imagine how she feels right now. I half wondered if that picture of her was leaked to pressure her into testifying against Brown, or to work with the cops or whatever. That was such a breach of privacy and I can’t believe how so many places published that. If anything, it probably made things worse for her. More embarrassment and humiliation when she probably already feels like crap.
Not everyone is the same, or in the same place, or can always make the right choices all the time, and not be influenced by other people. She’s in the music business after all, a business that isn’t exactly pure. I have my doubts that she’s surrounded by people who have her best interest at heart. But that she’ll testify as the story says, maybe it’s baby steps in the right direction, maybe it’s not. Something tells me that for Rhianna to get in a good place will take a long time and that isn’t over by a long shot. I mean, this business. Look at Britney – there’s a person who clearly, clearly should not be doing what she’s doing and who should be out of this business entirely and, yet, there she is. Another situation that won’t end well, imo. Anyway, that’s my 2 cents.
I saw a new CoverGirl ad yesterday with RiRi. It was weird to see her in that context. The last time we really saw her was the night before the Grammy Awards and/or in that picture showing her injuries. She is so far from being that radiant woman right now.
I am certain she doesn’t want to be known for throwing her man in jail. I wish she had a lawyer, publicist, mentor or friend that would help her see she she has a future to protect. This is about Rihanna.
She is talented, beautiful and so young. It is very hard to sit on the sidelines and watch.
I hope she is safe, hanging around with CB, when he has so much scrutiny and pressure on him. Not a good environment for her ever. I don’t trust someone that can hurt another person the way he has. It’s a pressure-cooker.
Maybe it’s true that they did get married; they did it so she wouldn’t have to testify against her husband.
I’m still waiting to hear that her parents and family can reach her.
There’s so much vagueness flying around these two at the moment that I’ll believe she’s going to testify when I see it.
in quasi-related news
All CG 50% off at kroger today. entire line.
It’s the State who is prosecuting the case, not the victim. If the victim could be considered hostile to their case, she as likely might not be called. Besides, people are fallible and fickle, good quality evidence is less so.
Notice her lawyer didn’t say that she wouldn’t be testifying for Chris Brown. What’s being left out is as interesting as what’s being left in that press release.
“Notice her lawyer didn’t say that she wouldn’t be testifying for Chris Brown.”
Good grief Mairead…I was having a tranquil afternoon!
You know what scares me about the whole thing is that it reminds me of the Nicole Brown Simpson and O.J., when she was murdered and it came out the photos of her bruised face and body, the phone call to 911 with her trembling voice and him screaming in the background.
How we all thought what a great guy he was only to discover after her death what a monster he really is to this day.
I hope she comes out of what ever fog she is in because like it or not when you are in the public eye and a star to a young fan base your are a role model and she is sending a very bad message to young girls and boys.