Chic pop star Rihanna is seen here back to business as usual in New York City signing autographs and taking photographs with some of her fans as she heads out of a New York City hotel. She’s seen looking sexy and glamorous as ever in a black dress with a gorilla face on the front, in a style that leaves little to the imagination when it comes to her figure. And Rihanna has become quite famous for many things this year, one of them being this ability she has to always look absolutely stunning no matter what is going on in her life. Many even have referred to her as a style icon, so one look at her here and many that did not know otherwise would be surprised to hear she is in the thick of a heated domestic assault case.

As we all know, she was involved in an altercation with her boyfriend Chris Brown the night before the Grammy’s. We still don’t know all of the details of the altercation, but there was some physical violence that resulted in bruises and an injured face for Rihanna. And of course, he was the last person she was with so the charges went to him. Today we are anticipating more news on the Rihanna case as she is expected to appear in court to provide testimony against him. We won’t have too much drama though, as this is only a preliminary hearing to see if in fact there will be enough evidence against Chris to go to trial. And of course since Rihanna is the primary witness, what she says today will be a large stock of evidence for or against the case going to trial.

There has been a lot of speculation on this matter alone since this all started, will she or won’t she testify, and will she tell the truth? Will Chris Brown be in attendance when she does so, and is she legally obligated to give his testimony? For starters, her lawyers say that yes, she is absolutely going to testify and intends to tell the whole truth and nothing but. This despite the fact that yes, Chris will be there to hear her every word, and she is testifying even though she is not legally required to do so.

She is legally required to appear in court mind you, but due to the fact that this is a domestic violence case, she can exercise her right to refuse to take the stand without suffering jail time or charges. Another issue swirling on this case is the fact that Rihanna hit Chris Brown first and this started the whole thing. This issue is expected to come up during testimony today, despite the fact that the police report does not say that she was the instigator. At this point, as far as that issue is concerned, no lawyers from either side are commenting on this, though we do know the fight erupted after Chris Brown received a text from a former girlfriend. Again we have a case of he said she said and it is said that Rihann’s testimony will make or break whatever ends up happening to Chris Brown. She only needs to appear honest and credible while she is on the stand and the case will be made against him.

Now, if it does work in this favour, experts are saying that we can expect Brown to then push for a plea bargain, which may involve some jail time, all to avoid a very public trial on his violence issues. The case could end at any minute if he goes for this route, as lawyers on both sides presume that a trial in this matter is unlikely. And, despite all of this, it seems that this will all make for some uncomfortable issues between Chris Brown and Rihanna as we still do not have official word on whether or not they are still together.

There is no question that these two have not cut ties for good, as they have been seen out and about together, but Rihanna is also being linked romantically to Canadian rapper Aubrey Drake. And like with all of our stories folks, only time will tell on any of these matters. Let’s cross our fingers for Rihanna this nightmare is over very soon.

Photo: PacificCoastNews.com

Unlike Lindsay Lohan’s hair color changes, this is one story out of Hollywood that the world has been waiting to hear. And while many stories in Hollywood aren’t often remembered even moments after the instance, the moments of abuse between Chris Brown and Rihanna have not been, nor will they for some time. And for those that were concerned that Chris Brown was going to get off easy, put those worries to bed for at least a little while, as it looks like his troubles with Rihanna are finally getting managed from a justice perspective. Rihanna has finally received the long awaited subpoena to testify against Chris Brown in the assault case against him.

This was one of those issues back when it first happened that many in the legal world, the D.A.s office included, weren’t sure was going to happen. And there was even some talk of Rihanna ending up with charges if she didn’t testify against Chris. And while we still don’t know if she will or won’t, at least we have some peace that the case against Chris Brown is moving forward. As it stands now, his hearing has been set for June 22, and Rihanna was served in person on Tuesday with a subpoena to appear in court in relation to this “alleged” assault. Rihanna’s lawyer Donald Etra confirmed:

“Rihanna was served at my office by Los Angeles District Attorney investigators. If the preliminary hearing indeed goes forward, she is now legally required to be there, she will be there and will answer all questions truthfully.”

The upcoming hearing is taking place to find out whether there is enough evidence to take Chris – who has pleaded not guilty to felony assault and making criminal threats – to trial. It is expected that she will be cross-examined by Brown’s lawyer, Mark Geragos. Her testimony is of course the most highly anticipated testimony, as even Brown’s own lawyer says her testimony will make or break the case. Of course what the defense team is hoping to attain from this is that the prosecution will fail to present a case and it will be dismissed on the spot.

So we will see what Rihanna has to say when the time comes. And defense team have been pulling out all the stops to try and keep these charges at bay. They’ve even filed a request to have the hearing postponed, and this too was denied. Gregaros had argued Chris – who is accused of punching, biting and choking Rihanna until she was unconscious in his rented silver Lamborghini – would not be able to get a fair trial due to the pictures allegedly showing Rihanna’s facial injuries which were leaked to a US gossip website. But you know how it is, lawyers will say anything and everything when they get the chance. And men who hit women, will do just about anything to get away with it. I don’t know about you, but I am very excited about seeing what happens come June 22, you?

Photograph: Hector Vallenilla, PacificCoastNews.com

Matt Symons

Well, this is the official word that is out, but you have to know that this decision came with some pushing and prodding from the PR people that don’t talk to anyone but their client these days. Chris Brown has officially stepped down from his nominations for Nickelodeon’s Kids Choice Awards, and I don’t for a second think this was his decision. Chris was up for favourite male singer and favourite song with ‘Kiss Kiss’ but my hunch is that someone up above him decided that having a woman beater win an award on a children’s program wasn’t exactly good PR. That’s just my hunch. He’s not only taken himself out of the running, but simply won’t be attending at all. Something that I am sure is bringing a collective sigh of relief from other attendees. And the PR rep has spoken on this very issue:

“Chris very much appreciates the support of his fans and the honor they have paid him in the way of nominations for Favorite Male Singer and Favorite Song. Unfortunately, the controversy surrounding the incident last month has shifted the focus from the music to whether he should be allowed to be among those nominated.”

Yes, the focus has shifted all right. And to make it look like ‘whether he should be allowed’ to be nominated as a tiny little concept I think is kind of misconstrued. I see the point with if he has talent, he should win the award, but let’s remember this is a Kids Choice Awards program. So no, he should not be allowed to be among those nominated considering ‘the incident’ that turned him into this generation’s Ike Turner. Again, that’s just ME though!

Juan Soliz, PacificCoastNews.com

Well, this is one story that twists and turns on a dime, doesn’t it. And now that horrific details of the beating that Rihanna received at the hands of Chris Brown have been released, one can not help but keep glued to this story as it unfolds. And this is one story that seems to unfold with every passing minute. For starters, rumors surfaced this weekend that the two got married in a quiet ceremony in Miami, but this does not seem to be the case. This rumor was started when it was feared that Rihanna would not testify against Chris, and getting married would be an easy way to avoid testimony against him. However, this is not the case, and it is questionable even that the two have gotten back together as everyone seems to be saying. They have been seen spending some time together in Miami, but what this was for, either to resolve things, bring closure, keep going, or to just plain move on, we won’t know for some time. What we do know at this point however is that Chris Brown has been charged with two felonies, assault and for making criminal threats, and that Rihanna is the key witness to the case. As it stands right now, Rihanna is co-oeprating completely with the authorities, which is a sign that if asked to testify, she will do so. It is being said that she is doing ‘everything that the law requires her to do’. It is of course hoped that she does testify, as the DA is reporting that her statements to the police about the extensive punching and bruising can only be used against him if she takes the stand. But just about anyone involved in the case will tell you that right now, it’s just too soon to tell if that will happen. She has made it very clear that she wants him to take responsibility for his actions, and the first step to this is with a restraining and protective order, a very wise move in my opinion. With this order, she is assured that he will stay away from her, and violating this order will not bode well for him since he has two felony charges pending. In the protective order, Rihanna has the power to gather evidence against him should he choose to cause some problems for her, and this includes but is not limited to taping phone conversations, or anything in writing. There are currently no restrictions on how physically close he may be to her, and this portion of the protective order was on Rihanna’s choice it seems. But restrictions under this order include:

he may not harass, strike, threaten, assault (sexually or otherwise), follow, stalk, molest, destroy or damage personal or real property of Rihanna’s. He also may not “disturb the peace, keep under surveillance or block movements” of her, and must get rid of any guns he may have by surrendering them to police or selling them to a licensed dealer within 24 hours. And he cannot “dissuade or prevent” anybody from attending a hearing or making a report to police.

The ‘keep under surveillance’ component of this order is interesting, and suggests that perhaps Chris is a little more controlling than we may think, though this is a classic characteristic of domestic abusers, and may well be the reason she has attempted a resolution or reconciliation with him. He is allowed to talk to her by phone, and be near her if she so chooses. This order is in place until March 2012, or until Rihanna changes the order or puts further limitations on it. At this point, we can only sit back and wait to see what happens next, but our hearts do go out to Rihanna during what must be a terrible time for her.

Well, it has been quite a shock that after the nasty domestic violence allegations against Chris Brown towards Rihanna that the couple have decided to continue their relationship. But yes, the police were involved with this one from the get-go, so despite the fact that they have decided to make googly bear faces at each other again, his legal troubles are far from over. But, if you are concerned that he may get away with one of the most heinous acts a man can commit against a woman, well, I am sorry to report that this may actually happen. And the fact that they are back together is not going to help him at all when it comes to paying the consequences of his actions. As it stands now, Chris appeared in court yesterday, and the end result was two felony charges for assault and making violent threats. And if anything that Fox 11 in California had to say is true, the details on the domestic violence are even worse than I think the rest of us could have imagined. Which makes their reunion of love not only disturbing, but confusing as well. Taking from notes from a detective at the scene of the crime, Fox 11 reported yesterday that the fight started while they were driving (as we know) and was instigated when Rihanna found a 3 page text from another woman on Chris Brown’s phone. They started fighting and he tried to force her out of the car, but it wouldn’t work because she was wearing a seat belt. You can read the notes below, but be warned that these notes are not for the faint of heart:
Brown then allegedly shoved Rihanna’s head against the passenger window. When Rihanna turned to face him, Brown punched her, then continued punching her while driving, according to the detective’s notes. Blood spattered all over Rihanna’s clothing and in the interior of the car. Her mouth was filled with blood. Brown allegedly told Rihanna, “I’m going to beat the **** out of you when we get home. You wait and see.” Rihanna called her assistant and left a message saying, “I am on my way home. Make sure the cops are there when I get there.” Brown then replied, “You just did the stupidest thing ever. I’m going to kill you.” According to the report, Brown continued to punch Rihanna, bit her on her ear, her fingers and put her in a headlock — she almost lost consciousness.

The detective also reported that he then resumed punching her, and she interlocked her fingers behind her head and brought her elbows forward to protect her face. She then bent over at the waist, placing her elbows and face near her lap in an attempt to protect her face and head from the barrage of punches being levied on her by Chris.
Phew boy! That he only got 2 felony charges after discovering that is what is the most surprising of it all. No, wait, that they are BACK TOGETHER is REALLY the most surprising thing. I am desperately hoping they are not, and that is just one vicious rumor, but you know how things go. If they are together, building a case for prison time will be tough if she refuses to testify. If they aren’t, then I think we all hope the same thing, that Chris Brown rots in you know where…..Either way, he will never NOT be known as much other than the dude who beat Rihanna to a pulp, and well, if that reputation is almost punishment enough. Not really, but it’s something.

Photo: PacificCoastNews.com

Anthony, PacificCoastNews.com

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