Chris Brown’s L.A. problems could complicate his D.C. assault trial
A judge ordered singer Chris Brown to remain jailed in Los Angeles until an April 23 hearing, which could complicate making his scheduled appearance the previous week at his assault trial in Washington, D.C.
On Monday, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge James Brandlin denied a request to release Brown on bail. Instead, he said Brown must remain in custody until a hearing to determine whether he violated probation when he was kicked out of a rehabilitation facility in Malibu.
Brown has been in jail since Friday, when he was arrested after returning to the facility. Brown’s ejection from rehab is a potential violation of the court-ordered treatment for his 2009 conviction for beating his then-girlfriend, singer Rihanna.
Brandlin told Brown’s attorney Mark Geragos and Deputy Dist. Atty. Mary Murray they need to find a way to allow Brown to appear at his trial in Washington on April 17. He is accused of punching and breaking the nose of a man trying to take his picture.
Geragos said he believes there is no mechanism for the District of Columbia to extradite Brown to Washington for his misdemeanor trial. Geragos said he needs the singer to be present for his own defense and warned that the case could be delayed if Brown isn’t able to attend.
In 2009, Brown was sentenced to five years’ probation, community labor and domestic violence counseling for assaulting Rihanna after they left a pre-Grammy party. Brandlin could sentence Brown to up to four years in prison if he determines that Brown violated probation.
Brandlin said Brown was kicked out of rehab because he allegedly touched a woman, failed to take a drug test and made threatening statements during a group session.
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