Singer Chris Brown charged over Rihanna assault

R&B singer Chris Brown has been charged with assault following an alleged attack on his pop-star girlfriend Rihanna in Los Angeles last month, prosecutors said today.

Brown, 19, is to appear in court later today for arraignment on the charges, which came after he allegedly subjected Barbados-born Umbrella singer Rihanna to a beating in the early hours of February 8.

The incident shocked the music world and left Rihanna nursing cuts and bruises to her face, forcing her to cancel a scheduled performance at the Grammy Awards in LA later that day.

Brown is charged with felony counts of assault and making criminal threats, a statement from the LA County District Attorney's office said.

If convicted on all counts, Brown could face a sentence ranging from probation to four years and eight months in state prison, a spokeswoman for the district attorney's office said.


Speculation had mounted over whether Brown would face charges over the incident after he and Rihanna reportedly reconciled over the weekend.

Brown had issued an apology for the incident on February 15, saying he was "sorry and saddened" by the events and that he was seeking the counselling of his pastor, family and friends.

"Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired," Brown said in the statement.

"I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God's help, to emerging a better person."

Although the LA Police Department has steadfastly refused to divulge specifics in the case, several details of Brown's alleged attack have since leaked into the media.

Fox 11 News in LA reported it had obtained a copy of a detectives' affidavit that described in graphic detail how Brown had attacked his girlfriend as they drove home from a party in Brown's rented Lamborghini.

The affidavit said the attack was triggered after Rihanna had read out a text message from an unidentified woman found on Brown's phone.

The singer reportedly slammed Rihanna's head against the window of the car before repeatedly punching and biting her.

When Rihanna called her assistant to alert police, Brown raged: "You did the stupidest thing ever. I'm going to kill you" before putting the singer in a headlock so severe she nearly lost consciousness, according to the report.


Evidence enough to build case


Rihanna's blood-soaked dress is among the evidence being investigated by police for their case against Chris Brown.

The 21-year-old singer's $11,000 Gucci garment has been handed over to the LA District Attorney's office following Brown's alleged attack on Rihanna on February 8.

A source said: "The police took Rihanna's dress into evidence because it had bloodstains on it."

The LAPD has refused to comment on the claims.

Rihanna is believed to have requested an emergency protection order just hours after the alleged assault, to prevent Brown from contacting her. The order expired after five days.

Santa Monica-based criminal defence attorney Alec Rose said: "It is standard practice for police to ask the domestic violence victim at the scene of the attack whether they would like an emergency protective order keeping the attacker away."

Brown was charged with making criminal threats and released on $50,000 bail following the incident and is due to attend an arraignment in LA today.

Rihanna reportedly told police he beat her and choked her until she was unconscious.

It has previously been reported Brown's rented Lamborghini - were the altercation took place - had traces of blood in it when it was impounded by police.

Meanwhile, reports claim Brown's attorney are conducting talks with the District Attorney which could see him enter a plea bargain in a bid to avoid going to prison.

The case was handed to the District Attorney yesterday, and Brown's lawyer Mark Geragos has been discussing the matter with prosecutors since Monday.

It has been suggested his legal team want to strike a deal which would see him remain free if he pleads guilty to a misdemeanour, although it is unknown whether prosecutors are willing to compromise.

Rihanna did not file charges against Brown and the pair are believed to have married in secret at rapper P. Diddy's Miami mansion.

A source said: "Rihanna never had any intention of ending it with Chris. It's partly because she cares about him a lot. But another big part is that she can't bear the thought of him with another girl."