Swift Fallout After Chris Brown Incident

R&B Singer Under Investigation For Allegedly Battering Singing Sensation Girlfriend Rihanna

(CBS)  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.

---

Photos: Rihanna

---

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."

"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.

---

Photos: Chris Brown

---

The couple had the world on a string. Not anymore.

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."

[coronalu]

To all you stupid idiots out there in lala land, yes, you are right, it was Rihanna's fault completely!! You are right and using your stupid logic, it was her fault because her face got in the way of his punches. You idiots that are making excuses for this dirtbag, how about one day, your daughter becomes the punching bag for some lowlife, what would you do, what would you say and a guy that beats up on a woman, well, he definitely is NOT a man in anyway, shape or form. NO WAY and if you think he is, then you are even a bigger loser then he is.

[coronalu]

Hey, to all you idiots out there that say " what people fail to realize just because they are entertainers they are still human being and make mistakes" hey, guess what, Hitler was a human being, get in line and say that same lame excuse to the families of the people that he destroyed. This fool is a thug, a woman beater, plain and simple, you need to understand this. Stop making excuses for people like this, do you honestly believe this was the first time this bozo beat a woman?? If you do, you are even a bigger idiot!

[coronalu]

Hey, to all you idiots out there that say " what people fail to realize just because they are entertainers they are still human being and make mistakes" hey, guess what, Hitler was a human being, get in line and say that same lame excuse to the families of the people that he destroyed. This fool is a thug, a woman beater, plain and simple, you need to understand this. Stop making excuses for people like this, do you honestly believe this was the first time this bozo beat a woman?? If you do, you are even a bigger idiot!

[awaries]

I strongly believe what people fail to realize just because they are entertainers they are still human being and make mistakes! No matter how much fortune or fame they aquire they still are human therefore, anyone who breaks the law or commit any act that is wrong should be held accountable for their actions! Regular folks must be accountable for their actions so it is no different with entertainers no matter how much they are worth in digits! Also, any man who abuses a woman is WRONG! If a woman abuses a man she is also WRONG! Any mature adult should be able to talk and reason any misunderstanding and work through it instead of using violence to control or do your talking for you! VIOLENCE ISN''T THE ANSWER IT NEVER HAS BEEN NOR WILL IT EVER BE!

[janie_super]

you ladies can have chris brown, maybe he can knock some sense into you too.

[gab20071022]

I FEEL DAT MA FUTURE BABY DADDY CHRIS BROWN DIDNT DO DAT AND IF HE DID RIHANNA MADE HIM, SHE MUST DID SOMETHING THATS WAS SO DOMB AND STUPID THAT THE ONLY WAY TO SOLVE IT WAS TO JUST SLAPP HER IN HER FACE A COUPLE OF TIMES.N WAT TYPE OF ***** WILL BITE A PERSON(NOT CHRIS BROWN)SHE NEED TO GO BACK TO BARBADO OR HOW EVER YOU SPELL IT.RIHANNA IZ STUPID DID SHE TELL THEM WAT SHE DID TO HIM I BEAT THEY DONT EVEN CARE.I THINK SHE JUST WANT SOME ATTENSION OR MAYBE SHE THINKS SHES GOING TO GET BIGGER BY DOING THAT WELL IF SO THATS A LIE CUZ I ALREADY HATE U.SHE WAS LUCKY TO HAVE HIM BUT NOW SHE TAKING ADVANAGE OF HIM............... BUT I WILL -______ RIHANNA.

[chrisboo_1]

I feel that chris is not guilty for what he did. I understand if a man hits a woman but I feel that Rihanna did something to Chris to make him hit her. She is just looking for a free ride. I lubbz Chris Brown to death and im not saying this to defend him but Rihanna had something to do with chris putting his hands on her. It may prove that she WAS a GOOD GIRL going BAD!! I forgive Chris and i still love him until this very day 3 DOWN WITH RIHANNA!!! =[

[cricketmk3]

"He grew up in a small town in Virginia. Why don''t you take your bigotry somewhere else?"

"Hoods" are everywhere. Brown said in an interview that he told his mother not to call the cops after he got in a fight with a classmate because "like, we don''t do that in the hood".

[whatithink10]

theonesucks,

It would be nice if one day and time, black people in America could be INDIVIDUALLY RESPONSIBLE for their actions and every topic that just happens to include a black person (but touches all colors of the human race) WOULD STOP TURNING INTO A RACE ISSUE!

That would be nice.

One day.


And he is not a rap artist AND there is no such thing as a typical black woman.

Your post is a reflection of you. NOTHING ELSE.

[coronalu]

what a loser! If she gets back with this clown, she''s a loser too! Goes to show you that you can dress a pig up, but he''s still a pig. If this caca for brains keeps selling his records and people keep buying them, they are even bigger losers.

[mk446699]

Even in today''s world, after he gets his hand slapped a little, he will be back where he was.
The best question is will any woman have anything to do with him again? I would like to hope not. The biting seems like an animal rather than a human.

[harbinger09]

Thanks for the clarification........so, it was in the small town in Virginia where he learned to beat on women?

Posted by Indptex at 02:38 PM : Feb 11, 2009


LOL. Men of all colors, nationalities, in big cities and on farms , etc beat up women. It is not the size or quality of the neighborhoods--it is the idividual rage and failed coping mechanisms of the man--that leads to violence. Rich, poor, black, white, Christian, Jew, Muslim, Agnostic, etc or other--men have raped, maimed, beat, ridiculed, verbally abused, threatened women.

Because in the end, for many men--if they cannot win an argument with their words or defeat a woman verbally--they resort to their fists.

[harbinger09]

Out of control... If someone bites you--they can be charged with attempted murder due to AIDS. After all, if spitting on someone is considered battery and spitting on a police officer is considered a serious crime, how much more should we censure biting, where both saliva and the opening up of the body and bloodstream to whatever is in the saliva, induce?

The real question is, would an ordinary citizen be treated like Chris Brown? He has a huge problem and he needs to pay for it--otherwise, the lesson is not taught. OJ was a known batterer to. We all know how that ended up.

[wvu74621]

Who cares!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[guest173]

my ex-boyfriend told me same thing chris brown was reported to have said, "I saw my parents beating each other, I would never do that, I hated them for it." but then he assaulted me after the honeymoon part of the relationship was over. I do believe some of those demons are harder to get rid of than just wishful thinking. I hope no one in Hollywood supports wife-beaters and I hope he finds a way to stop being violent to anyone.

[neo269]

It''s ok to beat a woman - as long as you''re rich and famous.

[whatithink10]

Posted by aggiekat2004 at 04:54 PM : Feb 11, 2009

Good for you.

I just think the media is a bit irresponsible. Without getting more information, it is hard to know what really happened.

[whatithink10]

"This type of behavior is what''''s glorified in the type of music that these kids are involved in.

Posted by aggiekat2004 at 04:52 PM : Feb 11, 2009"



That''s the thing. It isn''t. The music that they sing is no more glorifying this behavior than The Jonas Brothers or Jessica Simpson. This is more aligned with the type of music that they sing.

[aggiekat2004]

Oh, and it''s not just a "black" thing.

I''ve dated many stupid rednecks who think that life is all about controlling and demeaning their girlfriends. I have a permanent injury from my last boyfriend.

I thank God that I finally met someone who is respectful and kind. But I watch my fiancee''s kids how they interact in relationships...and it''s downright scary.

[aggiekat2004]

You know, though...

This type of behavior is what''s glorified in the type of music that these kids are involved in.

And they''re KIDS! What the heck are they doing setting this type of example for other kids their age? Gosh, let me drive my Lamborghini and beat up my girlfriend...oh, life is good.

Jealously, violence, controlling abuse is escalating with our teens. Love shouldn''t hurt. I hope they can use this to set a stern example that this type of behavior is unacceptable.