Swift Fallout After Chris Brown Incident
The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating whether R&B artist Chris Brown battered his girlfriend, singing sensation Rihanna, Early Show national correspondent Hattie Kauffman reports.
"Chris Brown is in huge trouble," said Harvey Levin of TMZ.com. "I mean, he could go to prison for years."
They are two of today's hottest stars. Rihanna holds the record for digital downloads last year Brown was named 2008 artist of the year by Billboard magazine. Shortly before the incident they appeared happy at a pre-Grammy party.
They'd just left a party. It was 12:30 a.m. when the two pulled up in a Lamborghini on a street. A witness told police they argued and it escalated, leaving the female passenger with "visible injuries."
Photos: Rihanna
"She suffered two huge contusions on both sides of her face," Levin said. "She had a bloody lip, she had a bloody nose. And there are reports that she had a bite on one of her arms and legs."
Celebrity lawyer Mark Geragos drove Brown to a police station where he surrendered. He posted $50,000 bail and was released.
Brown's arrest has fueled chatter on the internet.
The couple had the world on a string. Not anymore.
Photos: Chris Brown
There's already some fallout for Brown, who is only 19 and had a wholesome image. Wrigley's is suspending all advertising featuring Brown for their Doublemint chewing gum brand.
But what about the legal ramifications if the allegations prove true?
"I think it's unlikely -- first arrest -- that he's going to spend time behind bars," Linda Fairstein, former New York assistant district attorney and author of a new book, "Lethal Legacy" told Early Show co-anchor Julie Chen "The injuries -- and it's a shocking story to hear -- but I believe that Rihanna was treated and released. It's probably going to be a misdemeanor which means a weapon was not used. There may have been the threat of a weapon. So if he's exposed to that kind of criminal process, I'd expect a result like probation and participation in a batterer's program perhaps."
And the jury may still be out on the long-term damage to Brown's career.
"He's in a lot of trouble right now, but I would urge people to really wait and see how this unfolds, and let's not have a rush to judgment," said Howard Bragman, a celebrity crisis expert and author of "Where's My 15 Minutes." "I've been there alongside a lot of celebrities when they're accused of things. And what happens -- what people think happened is not necessarily what really happened. So I would urge people to have a little patience and let this unfold. That being said, this is going to be a long and uncomfortable ride for Chris."
"Let's say she (Rihanna) doesn't want to press charges or, you know, take a part. How likely is it that he is going to be found guilty?" Chen asked Fairstein.
"He could still be found guilty because of the very unique circumstances," Fairstein said. "Most domestic violence happens behind closed doors. And there are no witnesses, and the victim may or may not get immediate treatment. This is very unusual, together at a party and shortly after in a nice part of L.A., Hancock Park, police respond and find her in distress and injured. So I think it wouldn't be hard to prove."
"Will Chris Brown fans forgive him? Should they forgive him?" Chen asked Bragman.
"He's a young man. If it happened, if he's contrite and if we have the secret ingredient, which is time, then we will forgive him," Bragman said, "We have that in our culture and I think it's a good thing. And I hope he can get beyond that. He's an incredible talent. And it's a sad moment right now."