Prosecutors want more evidence in Brown case
Prosecutors said they want more evidence from police before determining whether to press charges against Chris Brown, who’s accused in a domestic dispute that reportedly involves pop superstar Rihanna.
Police presented a case regarding Brown, but did not release any of its details, Los Angeles County District Attorney spokeswoman Jane Robison said.
She said the office would have no further comment on the case.
Brown was arrested on Sunday night after surrendering to police, who sought the 19-year-old singer when a woman identified him as her attacker during a fight the night before.
Numerous media outlets, citing sources and police officials who were not named, have identified the woman as 20-year-old Rihanna, Brown’s long-time girlfriend.
Though an initial police news release indicated that they were investigating a battery on a woman who was injured, Brown was booked only on suspicion of making a criminal threat, a felony.
Police have said that prosecutors would determine what charges, if any, were warranted.
The district attorney’s kicking the case back to police could signal that prosecutors are seeking to build stronger charges against Brown; or it could mean the current evidence is too flimsy or has holes that would drop it to a misdemeanour or make it go away altogether, Loyola University law professor Stan Goldman said.
“Sending it back certainly isn’t the death penalty,” Mr Goldman said.
“If you’re Chris Brown,” he added, “it’s both bad and good.”
Brown remains free on $50,000 (€38,670) bail.
The allegations have at least momentarily tarnished Brown’s squeaky-clean image.
At least one major sponsor, the chewing gum maker Wrigley, suspended ad campaigns featuring the singer, who has scored with hits such as 2005’s 'Run It!' and a Grammy-nominated duet with Jordin Sparks, 'No Air'.
