James Brown’s ‘widow’ gets judge’s OK to reenter home

The woman who claims to be James Brown’s fourth wife planned to return to the home she shared with the singer, after a judge ruled Friday that she could retrieve her belongings.

Tomi Rae Hynie says she has been locked out of the Beech Island home since Brown died Christmas Day at age 73.

“I’m happy to be getting my things and my son’s things,” Hynie said after the hearing.

Judge Doyet Early said Hynie also could take pictures and videotape of the inside of the house if she wanted. If there is any dispute between Hynie and trustees about whether something belongs to her, that item will be set aside until its ownership can be clarified, Early said.

Hynie says she and Brown were married, which is disputed by Brown’s attorneys. The judge offered to hear arguments on that issue, but her attorney said he would present that case later.