Guest Author - Lorna London Sloukji
They're young, beautiful, and rich. Pop stars Rihanna and Chris Brown were found kissing all over the country during their better times. The passionate relationship between the two singers made national headlines when claims that Brown had assaulted Rihanna seeped through the media and ultimately, bled all over magazines, newspapers, and television and radio.
Today, at a Los Angeles courtroom, Brown showed up wearing a cardigan sweater, with a shirt and a tie underneath. He pleaded not guilty to one count of assault and one of making criminal threats. The criminal complaint against Brown includes the claim that back in February, Brown "did willfully and unlawfully commit an assault on ROBYN F. by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury." In this case, it has been revealed that Rihanna's real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty.
The second count Brown faces states that he "did willfully and unlawfully threaten to commit a crime which would result in death and great bodily injury to ROBYN F., with the specific intent that the statement be taken as a threat." The complaint also states that Rihanna "was reasonably in sustained fear of her safety and the safety of her immediate family."
If Brown is convicted on both criminal counts, he could face a sentence from as little as probation to a maximum sentence of up to four years and eight months in prison.
Meanwhile, Rihanna has retuned to her native Barbados to spend some time with family and friends, and help celebrate her grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary. Her father, Ronald Fenty says Rihanna has been in good spirits, "Of course, I'm happy to have her home. Things are good with her. She is doing really, really well. She's back to herself again."
On another positive note, Rihanna's record sales have increased by 31 percent after all the publicity about her and Chris Brown.
The record has risen to 31 in the US Billboard Album chart, while Chris Brown's 2007 album 'Exclusive' didn’t even make the Top 200.
Chris Brown is to return to court on April 29.
