If his critics have their way Chris Brown will be spending a lot of quality time in a California jail. However, the way things are currently progressing it doesn’t look as though the singer will have to worry about rotting behind bars.
The musician was back in court yesterday pleading not guilty to charges that he assaulted and made criminal threats to his on-again/off-again girlfriend Rihanna. Prosecutors maintain that Brown beat up the 21-year-old Barbados beauty during a fight on February 8th, though he denies doing so.
Yesterday the judge in the felony case set a hearing date for April 29th. That gives Brown’s high-profile attorney Mark Geragos about three weeks to hammer out a plea deal with prosecutors. Interestingly, Rihanna’s lawyer was the one to share the plea bargain news with the hordes of reporters who waited outside the courthouse.
Rihanna’s attorney Donald Etra told the media, “I believe there are efforts by all parties involved to resolve this case expeditiously. That would be beneficial to everyone. Rihanna would be pleased if this case were resolved quickly and fairly.”
The “Umbrella” singer is reportedly in Barbados right now spending time with her family. Rumor has it she wanted to be as far away from Monday’s proceedings as possible.
Meanwhile, her alleged beater showed up to court dressed entirely in black accompanied by his mother. No word on whether Brown’s mama had a chance to view evidential photos taken of Rihanna after she was allegedly punched, choked, and bit by her son.
If the case heads to trial and Brown is convicted, he reportedly will face probation to a maximum four years and eight months in state prison. On the other hand, if he cops a deal with prosecutors he could get off on lesser charges and face anywhere from 30 to 180 days in addition to three to five years of probation.
Then again, this is Chris Brown we are dealing with here. How much of that time do you really think he will serve behind bars?