Chris Brown Busted!
Wow! Just moments before the 51st Annual Grammy Awards were scheduled to begin, word started to go around that Chris Brown and Rihanna would not be attending the awards show. First, I heard that Chris Brown was involved in a “car accident”, then I heard that Rihanna mysteriously and suddenly decided to pull out of performing during the show … then the news got much worse. I was not able to follow the information as soon as it was posted online but while David and I were enjoying the Grammy Awards at the Staples Center, information began to trickle in on our cellphones that Chris Brown was being investigated on charges of felonious assault against a woman — after the woman alleging the assault decided to press charges with the police. We learned that the woman, who still remains officially unnamed by the LAPD, “suffered visible injuries and identified Brown as her attacker.” As the night carried on, we learned that Chris turned himself into police and was booked, charged and released on $50,000 bond … as I post this latest information, the LA Times is citing “inside” sources close to the case that name Rihanna, Chris’s longtime girlfriend, as the alleged victim of the assault:
Posted by the LA Times at 7:25PM PT: Brown arrived at the Wilshire Division police station before 7:15 p.m., accompanied by his attorney Mark Geragos and Geragos’ investigator, Scott Ross. The pair drove into a parking lot behind the police station on Venice Boulevard just east of La Brea Avenue in a black Cadillac Escalade. They entered through a back door where a posted sign read “authorized personnel only.” Police are expected to release a statement later this evening Both Brown and Rihanna canceled their performances at tonight’s Grammy Awards. The alleged incident was reported about 12:30 a.m. Sunday in Hancock Park. Brown and Rihanna, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, were apparently in a car together and got into an argument on North June Street, according to a Los Angeles Police Department statement. Brown stopped the car, the two got out, and the argument escalated, according to police. A witness called 911, but Brown was gone when officers arrived at the scene. The woman suffered visible injuries and identified Brown as her attacker, according to police. Brown and Rihanna had appeared together Saturday night at Clive Davis’s pre-Grammy gala in Beverly Hills.
Shortly before the Grammy show began at 5 p.m. at Staples Center, Grammy officials issued a statement saying, “We have just been informed Rihanna will not be attending tonight’s 51st Grammy Awards. Rihanna will not be performing. We are sorry to see she is unable to join us this evening.” A publicist for the Barbados-born star, who sold more digital song downloads than any other in 2008 with nearly 10 million tracks, said Sunday night, “Rihanna is well. Thank you for your concern and support.” Her song “Disturbia,” which she’d been scheduled to perform at the ceremony, was the sixth best-selling digital track of the year. She was replaced by veteran soul singer Al Green, who was accompanied by country singer-guitarist Keith Urban. Brown’s record label spokesman did not respond to The Times’ request for comment. His whereabouts were unknown as the Grammy show began.
Posted by the LA Times at 9:21PM PT: R&B singer Chris Brown has been booked tonight on suspicion of making felony criminal threats in connection with an incident involving his girlfriend, pop singer Rihanna, according to Los Angeles Police Department sources familiar with the case. Brown was booked at the Wilshire Division station and posted $50,000 bail, sources said. He left the station before 9 p.m. Los Angeles police said earlier they planned to detain Brown for questioning on an alleged domestic violence assault. In an updated statement tonight, police said, additional charges may be filed against Brown when the case is presented to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. Brown listed his residence as Washington, Va.
Because the information, muddled with rumor and conjecture, came out in pieces thruout the night, it’s not entirely sure what exactly the felony crime or crimes include. Again, as I mentioned above, early reports claimed that an assault took place which left visible injuries on the victim’s face. If the LA Times is correct, it is very easy to conclude that Rihanna is the alleged victim and was allegedly assaulted in some capacity by Chris Brown in their car shortly after the pair left last night’s Grammy Awards Salute to Icons event that honored Clive Davis (the last time the couple were seen together publicly before this incident occurred). After the jump, check out Chris Brown’s booking sheet which offers all the official information that has been made available thus far …
It is very easy to jump to conclusions based on the information provided thus far. I admit, it really does seem to appear that Chris Brown and Rihanna were involved in some sort of altercation (be it physical or merely verbal) very early this morning to the point of seriousness where Brown had to be arrested for a felony. I’m sure more information will be made available later on today … depending on the severity of the incident and victim’s (whoever she may be) desire to cooperate with authorities to pursue punishing this alleged crime … things could get even uglier still. I really hope my worst fears are not proven true. At this point, we don’t know anything for sure … I’m holding off judgment until more information is made available. I gotta say, tho … I’ve got a really bad, very sad feeling about this. Based on all the info that is swirling around at this point, what do y’all think?
Tags: Chris Brown, Rihanna
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February 9th, 2009 at 12:09 am
wow that’s crazy.
February 9th, 2009 at 12:10 am
I think it’s crazy…never liked chris brown anyway’s. But him doing this? IT’s not right….I so believe this. He look’s like a women beater. Hope RiRi alright. We’ll hear from there camps in say 2days tops?
February 9th, 2009 at 12:11 am
Also great Tux 4 the Grammy’s Trent Luv’s it. Kudos
February 9th, 2009 at 12:19 am
Wow. I am really suprised to hear this…he seemed like a nice boy :(
February 9th, 2009 at 12:31 am
I wish he had won something and they would have had to say “chris could not attend, so I accept this award on his behalf” that would have been funny.
February 9th, 2009 at 12:45 am
Wow not cool at all, for what ever reason even if she said “c’mon hit me” still wouldn’t make it right.
February 9th, 2009 at 12:49 am
wow thanks for the updates trent!
i hope rihanna’s alright :/
February 9th, 2009 at 1:42 am
@Britney Bitch–”he looks like a woman beater”? seriously? we, as outsiders looking into a private situation with public figures, have no clue what happened and even though I’m not a fan of Chris Brown, I find it pretty immature to make an accusation so harshly.
It would be unfortunate to hear that any abuse was acted on…in time, the story will unravel.
February 9th, 2009 at 1:45 am
Wow, thats really sad…but good for her for having the balls to press charges. not many women do.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:15 am
I am sure I’m one of Chris Brown’s biggest fans. I adore him to death, and really – I can’t believe this. I wish everyone would stop calling him a wifebeater or saying his career is down the drain before they even know the facts; the whole story must be told before we all jump to conclusions. Sure, it looks bad, but you don’t know what really happened, so stop talking shit before you get your facts straight.
If this is true, I am heartbroken, but I won’t believe it until there’s a definite story. Chris Brown seemed so perfect, he can’t have done this.
February 9th, 2009 at 4:45 am
I wouldn’t exactly consider myself a CB fan, or a Rihanna one either for that matter, but I honestly can’t believe someone able to pen such soulful ballads as Chris Brown has in the past, could do something so terrible. I mean, Obviously he did at least HIT A WOMAN. Thats all we know so far, but that is a fact.
I just want to know why? like… I can’t imagine anything happening to drive him to the point of doing this.
Crazy
February 9th, 2009 at 4:51 am
Chris brown will pay for his rudeness of hitting a woman.
jerk ass!shame on u!
February 9th, 2009 at 4:52 am
I love you Rihanna
February 9th, 2009 at 5:25 am
anyone man that is guilty of assaulting a woman should get a good kick right in the balls a few dozen times real hard, this is shocking news and disgusting that a person like Chris Brown would do such a thing, but no matter who he is i hope he gets whats coming to him if he did what is said, and he deserves NO sympathy no matter how the situation played out.
February 9th, 2009 at 5:49 am
@ Elizabeth
i know we dont know the facts…but if he didnt do anything why was he arrested for a FELONY…and had to pay bail for 50000…he obviously did something…it could be rihanna or not..he still did something stupid and does need to face the concequences!..i liked him too, was a huge fan, but wow this def ruined his career! its to bad, hes very talented!
February 9th, 2009 at 6:08 am
I love the fact that everyone is jumping to conclusions and putting their dumbass opinions out there that “he looks like a woman beater”?! I heard on the radio this morning it was because Rihanna gave him an STD… how on Earth would anyone know that? People should keep their mouth shut until everything becomes more clear!
February 9th, 2009 at 6:41 am
@Rach
I agree.
All we should be talking about are the facts. Chris Brown was booked, charged, and released on bail.
You don’t get booked with a felony unless you did something pretty serious. So I’m just really hoping who ever was assulted is ok and that Chris gets some action taken against him.
February 9th, 2009 at 6:48 am
Poor Rhianna if this is true : (
February 9th, 2009 at 6:50 am
I’m am by no means a Chris Brown fan either but to say ‘He looks like a woman beater” is just wrong. It sounds kind of racists in my opinion. But i digress. Stop jumping to conclusions. It looks bad but we can’t know for sure what happened just yet. If he did do something wrong then he does need to be held accountable for his actions.
February 9th, 2009 at 6:56 am
Rihanna or not, he should never hit a woman!
February 9th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Serioulsy Lyn.
“Black males beat their women” You have a seriously worped view of african americans.
February 9th, 2009 at 7:23 am
To say black males beat thier women is so narrow minded, maybe they do but so do white men, as do other ethnicities. It is an issue that has no racial boundaries. And to say someone looks like a wife beater is also pretty pathetic…tell me exactly what an abuser looks like? Believe me they come from all backgrounds, and the nicest most innocent looking men can sometimes be the devil behind closed doors!
February 9th, 2009 at 7:29 am
Forget which news/talk show I watched this morning, but it was said that Chris Brown’s father(step?) used to beat his mother, and that he was scared of him. Clearly he turned himself in not just because of the very negative publicity of the matter, but also because he probably scared himself because he’d become what he always feared.
I’m curious as to what led down to cause a content looking couple to suddenly be at blows with one another. Because i find it hard to believe that what “Rach” said about the radio saying it was cause Rihanna gave him an STD… The way they are with each other I find that completely hard to believe, even more so when the paps follow them every where and they are rarely seen without each other.
February 9th, 2009 at 7:38 am
JoZee, just because a couple looks content, acts a certain way in public (IN FRONT OF THE PAPS), and are constantly seen together does not mean they don’t have a multitude of problems.
Often times, the couples that put on the best fronts for the outside world are the ones with the biggest problems, no matter if they’re celebrity or not.
February 9th, 2009 at 7:47 am
pfft! I’m not surprised if this is just another expensive publicity stunt…. either that or rihanna’s/chris’s looking for a reason to break off…
February 9th, 2009 at 8:02 am
I think that he realized that what he did was wrong. He took the first step by turning himself in instead of hiding out or fleeing the country. Like a lot of other people have said, we need to wait for more facts. A lot of people are going to be speculating, and we just need to wait for a rep. of Brown’s to give us something concrete.
February 9th, 2009 at 8:09 am
50000 dollars? that will be a small amount of money for him!
February 9th, 2009 at 8:24 am
@Sean- $50,000 is the normal bail price for the type of crime committed. They don’t make the price higher just because he has the money. But you’re right- I’m sure he just threw that money down without a problem.
@Lyn- your comment is disgusting.
@Dew- A felony charge is not a planned publicity stunt. It’s a serious offense that stays on your record. They are famous enough to not need crimes to boost their popularity.
February 9th, 2009 at 8:25 am
I’m confused. Is there an eye witness that actually saw Chris Brown hit anyone? What happend to innocent until proven guilty? Just because someone is charged with a crime doesn’t always mean they commited that crime. Especially if that person was not caught in the middle of the act. Have we never heard of people making up things to the police in heated moments. And, the police are not always 100% acurate in every situation. I think we should wait and see what actually comes out, before we make judgments on people we don’t know!!
February 9th, 2009 at 8:27 am
Side note: TMZ has posted a picture of Chris and Rihanna in his car 30 minutes before the call to the police came in.
I think it’s pretty safe to say that Rihanna was the “assulted female”.
But I agree J&J- We don’t know for sure what really went down. But we do know a female was assulted- Police reports don’t lie.
February 9th, 2009 at 8:28 am
to everyone that is saying this is going to “ruin his career,” etc., you’re all right. i forgot that there’s NEVER been a celebrity facing felony aggravated assault charges or dui or possession of a controlled substance that has gone to jail and later salvaged their career.
oh, and there is NO PROFILE for a woman beater. I’ve known a fraternity president, a heralded college football player, and was personally attacked by a well-respected member of the NAVY while i was at work one night.
y’all are so melodramatic.
February 9th, 2009 at 8:30 am
Yawn. The Grammy’s are still on? I haven’t watched since 1998. Ugh…
Well I don’t like either one of them, their music anyway. Not my style. Having been in a situation like that as countless numbers of women are, I don’t care what the circumstances were. Violence is NEVER acceptable. Even though I don’t like her, I feel for her. It is NOT a fun situation to be in.
February 9th, 2009 at 8:45 am
Chris Brown was not “brave” by turning himself in. He fled the scene and returned with his lawyer….
The worst part however is that Rihanna’s Rep said that she didn’t attend the Grammys because she was in a smaller car accident. If a woman is being assaulted she should not make up excuses and protect the man who hit her. That is definitely the wrong sign to send out to the public.
I just hope that Chris Brown doesn’t get away with this just because he is a celebrity and has money.
February 9th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Oh shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit,
Chris Brown= CAREER OVER.
TMZ is reporting that Rihanna IS the victim of the assault WITH a deadly weapon, as to what that weapon is, no one knows yet.
Damn, imagine that everything he worked for now its about to be gone in a second, THINK before your actions people! I really feel sorry for having to go through all of this scandal.
February 9th, 2009 at 8:56 am
I hope that whomever he hurt is alright. That the two of them would watch the amazing Whitney Houston one night and then possibly be involved in this the next night…the sad irony is not lost on me.
February 9th, 2009 at 9:08 am
At the 10am (eastern) hour of the Today show, Billy Bush was confirming it WAS Rihanna as the “unidentified woman” and that was due to legalities involving domestic violence assaults. Poor woman………they also talked about Chris growing up with an abusive step father and he would watch him beat his mom………sometimes you grow up and become what you fear……
February 9th, 2009 at 9:15 am
@J&J
I understand what you are trying to say, but that excuse turns the female victim in this case (Rihanna) into a possible liar. His word against hers and why should his word be more valid.
If a woman is being abused in her own home by her husband or boyfriend and she finally goes to the police, should she have to have a witness to the abuse? Someone who SAW him hit her?
Domestic abuse is a serious accusation and a serious issue in this and many other countries. I would HOPE that people wouldn’t take Chris Brown’s side simply because they love his music.
It’s really very frightening when you think about it, if it is true. You look at them and they are this squeaky clean cute couple and he seems like such a great guy and it turns out he’s an a-hole. That’s the thing about loving or looking up to celebrities, when you find out that behind closed doors they are actually people with as many flaws as us or more its like…..having a puppy die or something.
February 9th, 2009 at 9:25 am
So horrible. Whether the victim was Rihanna or another woman, this truly is a terrible situation. I don’t listen to Chris Brown but he always appeared to a really sweet, talented young man. Never expected something like this to happen from him. So sad.
February 9th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Thank you, Elle, for your response on here. People’s lack of understanding of DV frightens me.
1. There are rarely “witnesses” of domestic violence.
2. Abusers are, to the outside world, charming and kind. It’s after they’re involved with you that their true side comes out.
3. The probability of an abuser “rehabilitating” is SLIM. Yeah, he might have turned himself in, but I guarantee that this will not be the last time he does this.
4. It can take a long dang time for a DV victim to actually ever press charges. Sadly, it’s usually not the first they’ve been attached by that person that they love. It takes a LOT of guts.
5. Abusers often come from an abusive background.
6. Just because they’re cute and seem happy, doesn’t mean they had a healthy relationship.
This is extremely sad, and I wish the best for Rihanna
February 9th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
@Elle and RSS
I think it is great that you both are explaining the true problems for people in abusive relationships. The abuser can be male or female and from any background you can think of. I am not a Rihanna fan, but I say good on her for having the courage to report it. Hundreds of cases of domestic violence go un-reported everyday because of the fear of retaliation. If anything can be learned from this incident is that victims of abuse need to speak out against domestic violence.
I hope she is well and that people can learn that no matter who you are (or who you think you are) you are not above the law, and domestic violence is unacceptable.
February 9th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
i love chris brown no matter what he’s mine all mine
February 9th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
ill do anything for him
February 9th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
oh noooo…. i love him…
February 10th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
I am a victim of DV and I still prefer not to jump to conclusions until I have heard all of the facts. I do not wish anything bad on Rihanna or Chris Brown. My prayers go out to both.
February 11th, 2009 at 12:39 am
C’mon Rihanna. Move on from that loser Chris. He’s such a freak.
February 11th, 2009 at 5:50 am
[...] at the Grammy’s tonight because he was under investigation for assault charges, according to PITNB. The ‘LA Times’ names Rihanna as the [...]