America’s celebrity gossip outlets were preparing to cover Rihanna’s testimony in the Chris Brown assault case Monday, but it never got that far–R&B hitmaker Chris Brown pleaded guilty to one count of felony assault.
Brown, 20, faces five years of probation and six months of community service under the terms of his plea deal. Formal sentencing occurs in August, but Brown’s deal definitely keeps him out of prison for the incident.
“I think it’s commendable you took responsibility for your conduct,” Schnegg said to Brown.
Judge Patricia Schnegg also ruled that Brown must stay 50 yards away from Rihanna (ten yards at industry events) at all times; Rihanna did not request such an order and will, herself, also be bound by the terms of the separation agreement. She was present at the preliminary hearing and personally read the terms of the plea agreement by the judge; she did not, however, offer any testimony.
Brown sparked media outrage–and positioned himself for up to five years in prison with a conviction–with his actions, which police say included repeatedly striking and threatening then-girlfriend and fellow pop star Rihanna, in February.
