The Region - News from June 20, 1985

Former pro football star Jim Brown’s preliminary hearing on rape charges featured the appearance in the courtroom audience of Black Muslim leader Louis Farrakhan. Farrakhan, a vocal Jesse Jackson supporter in the 1984 presidential race who drew flak for making anti-Semitic statements, said he had come from Chicago to show his support for Brown. Farrakhan refused to discuss whether he believed that Brown, who has complained of unfair treatment by police and prosecutors, is a victim of racial prejudice. Rather, he said, “a man is innocent until proven guilty . . . so we’re just waiting to see the outcome.” Brown’s hearing is expected to conclude today and be followed by a ruling by Los Angeles Municipal Judge Candace D. Cooper on whether Brown should stand trial. Brown, now an actor, is accused of beating and raping a 33-year-old woman in his Hollywood Hills home last Feb. 19. He has termed the woman’s story “ridiculous.”