Friday, March 6, 2009

Lawyer: Rihanna to testify against Brown if Called

It has to be done. Chris Brown should be prosecuted for the brutal attack on the Rihanna. He probably won't do any time. But a message must be sent: beating up your girlfriend or wife won't be tolerated. Unfortunately there is still a double standard in the entertainment industry. If you commit a crime and you're a celebrity and have money you are treated differently under the law. You can expect a well organized and financed effort to rehabilitate Brown's image. Just look at Martha Stewart. She came out better off after going to jail.

Rihanna's attorney says the singer would testify against Chris Brown if called as a witness in her boyfriend's assault case. Donald Etra, who is representing the 21-year-old Barbados native, said Friday that Rihanna would be required by law to testify if prosecutors subpoena her.

Etra appeared in court Thursday when Brown made his first appearance on charges of assaulting and making criminal threats to his superstar girlfriend. Brown's arraignment was postponed until April 6.

Etra said Rihanna did not want a "no contact" order issued against Brown, but that she will report any violations of an order prohibiting the 19-year-old singer from threatening, harassing or harming his girlfriend. A court order grants her the authority to record any violations of the order.

The order is not uncommon in cases where a victim says he or she doesn't want to completely cut off communication with a person, said Steve Cron, a Santa Monica criminal defense attorney who has represented celebrities such as Paula Poundstone and Scott Weiland.

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