On Wednesday, singer Chris Brown rejected a plea deal in his misdemeanor assault case — a deal that would have meant no jail time or probation for the entertainer.
The announcement came two days after negotiations between D.C. prosecutors and defense attorneys, lawyers for Brown said. A trial date has been set for September 8.
According to the Washington Post:
During a 15-minute hearing in D.C. Superior Court, Brown, 25, rejected the agreement in which he would have pleaded guilty to assault for allegedly punching a photograph-seeking fan outside the W Hotel in downtown Washington.
According to a person familiar with the plea discussions, Brown had agreed to the plea deal earlier in the week. But about two hours before the hearing, his attorneys notified prosecutors that they were rejecting the offer.
“If they want a trial, that’s what they’re going to get,” said Mark J. Geragos, Brown’s attorney, during a press conference outside of the courthouse.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Chambers said although the deal called for no jail time, Brown would have had to agree to the details of the assault outlined by prosecutors. Prosecutors alleged the Grammy award winner, along with his friend and bodyguard, Christopher Hollosy, 35, struck Parker Adams, 25, of Beltsville, after Adams tried to take a picture of himself with the entertainer.
In court on Wednesday, Geragos said his client rejected the plea deal because he did not agree with those details. Brown’s attorneys have long argued that Brown and his bodyguard acted in self-defense.
His fans, many of whom gathered at the courthouse nearly 90 minutes before his scheduled arrival for the hearing, are hoping the trial won’t result in any jail time.
If you recall, Brown’s bodyguard, Christopher Hollosy, was already found guilty of assaulting Adams in an April trial.
“I just hope they give him a plea deal so he can move on with his life,” said Tiona Hordge, 17, of Southeast Washington. Hordge and her two teenage friends with her, carried hand-made signs that read “Team Breezy” referring to Brown’s nickname, and another sign that says “Good Luck Christopher.”
This isn’t the first time Breezy has rejected a plea deal from prosecutors — in January they also offered him a deal, which he rejected and agreed instead to go to trial. Brown’s trial has now been delayed several times.
We’ll keep you updated with the latest in Breezy’s case.
SOURCE: Washington Post | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty
