In the monthlong media blitz following 21-year-old pop star Rihanna’s alleged Feb. 8 beating by her 19-year-old R&B beau Chris Brown, the duo’s case has certainly been tried in the court of public opinion. But according to the latest news, the charges have yet to reach the bench. Will they ever, what with recent reports
that the onetime lovebirds are back together?
After being spotted at one of Sean "Diddy" Combs’ homes on Miami Beach’s Star Island — Brown was repeatedly photographed; Rihanna was not — the duo flew back on March 2 to L.A., where Brown had been scheduled to appear at an arraignment three days later. When contacted on March 3, however, the Los Angeles Police Department said that the case was still under investigation and had not yet been moved to the district attorney’s office — a necessary step for arraignment.
What isn’t necessary to press charges in cases of domestic violence: the victim’s cooperation. According to Nancy Lemon, the director of the UC Berkeley School of Law’s Domestic Violence Law Practicum,
it’s "extremely typical" for domestic violence victims to opt out of
testifying against their abusers, and Lemon says there is at least one
academic study that indicates that conviction rates actually go up when
the victim does not appear in court. "Probably 80 percent of the time
in the United States, domestic violence victims either don’t testify at
all, or if they do testify, they may testify for the defense," says
Lemon, who emphasized that she was speaking generally and was not
familiar with the details of Brown’s alleged crime.
When victims prefer not to testify, Lemon says, California
prosecutors often call expert witnesses like herself to the stand.
"We’re not supposed to know the facts of the case," she says. "We come
in and talk to the jury in general about the dynamics of domestic
violence and why it is that it’s very, very common for victims to
recant or not testify. We’re not giving an opinion as to whether [a]
crime actually happened or did not happen, but we’re educating [the
jury] that just because the victim is recanting or not testifying, that
doesn’t mean that it didn’t happen." This technique, known as
"victimless prosecution," is "pretty successful" at leading to
convictions, Lemon says.
Lemon adds that prosecutors in such situations can also pursue
"evidence-based prosecution," in which they build a case from records
such as photographs, statements to police at the scene, and 911 calls.
Pending further statements from the LAPD or the DA, of course, it
remains unknown how much non-testimony evidence of that sort may or may
not exist in Brown’s case.
Brown himself has declined to comment on the case beyond his Feb. 15
statement that he was saddened "over what transpired." When EW asked
Los Angeles DA spokesperson Jane Robison whether a change in the pair’s
relationship status would affect the outcome of the case were it to
come to trial, she firmly replied, "It doesn’t matter if there was a
reconciliation or anything else, because nothing has been filed to us.
Currently, there is no case here." (Additional reporting by Simon
Vozick-Levinson)
More Chris Brown-Rihanna:
Chris Brown update: Court appearance expected on March 5
Police launch investigation into leak of Rihanna photo
The fallout from TMZ’s Rihanna photo reveal
Chris Brown reportedly attends anger management class
Chris Brown surrenders to LAPD; released on $50,000 bail
Chris Brown and Rihanna: More fallout
When victims prefer not to testify, Lemon says, Californiaprosecutors often call expert witnesses like herself to the stand."We’re not supposed to know the facts of the case," she says. "We comein and talk to the jury in general about the dynamics of domesticviolence and why it is that it’s very, very common for victims torecant or not testify. We’re not giving an opinion as to whether [a]crime actually happened or did not happen, but we’re educating [thejury] that just because the victim is recanting or not testifying, thatdoesn’t mean that it didn’t happen." This technique, known as"victimless prosecution," is "pretty successful" at leading toconvictions, Lemon says.
Lemon adds that prosecutors in such situations can also pursue"evidence-based prosecution," in which they build a case from recordssuch as photographs, statements to police at the scene, and 911 calls.Pending further statements from the LAPD or the DA, of course, itremains unknown how much non-testimony evidence of that sort may or maynot exist in Brown’s case.
Brown himself has declined to comment on the case beyond his Feb. 15statement that he was saddened "over what transpired." When EW askedLos Angeles DA spokesperson Jane Robison whether a change in the pair’srelationship status would affect the outcome of the case were it tocome to trial, she firmly replied, "It doesn’t matter if there was areconciliation or anything else, because nothing has been filed to us.Currently, there is no case here." (Additional reporting by SimonVozick-Levinson)
More Chris Brown-Rihanna:
Chris Brown update: Court appearance expected on March 5
Police launch investigation into leak of Rihanna photo
The fallout from TMZ’s Rihanna photo reveal
Chris Brown reportedly attends anger management class
Chris Brown surrenders to LAPD; released on $50,000 bail
Chris Brown and Rihanna: More fallout
Comments (1-30) of 65 Add your comment
Shame On You Rihanna for going back to your abuser! You have no self-worth or self-respect. You set a lovely example for hordes of teenage girls. Bravo to you!!!! Be proud of yourself !!!!!
i think he’s a psycho. Lmsoo
Ugh, I know. She’s sending the message to all of her young fans that it’s okay to stay with someone who abuses you. How awful.
Before you all start slamming Rihanna for ‘going back’ to him, you might want to think that it might not be his fault. So, just keep assuming that he beat her, innocent till proven guilty people.
/sarcasm
stop being such haters she does not need to be your role model she’s just a human being what she decides to do is her choice don’t use her as an excuse for what ever decisions teenagers make they should know learn that from their parents just cause she’s just a singer not some sort of mother teresa figure for you losers
why can’t you people just let her do with her life as she pleases she’s just a singer not Mother Teresa if you raised your kids right they will do the right thing and not follow other poeples footstep stop hating on her and Chris is not of you people god damm business enough already is her choice JESUS CHRIST!!!!!!!
dont say god’s name in vain.
why is everybody blowing this up we r only human people fight tgatz life and if they weren’t famous yall wouldnt care wat they do y care now?
First of all Erica of all the things you could have said you choose “don’t use gods name in vain” It’s Jons right to speak how ever he chooses so get of that cross your hanging on to break it down and build a bridge and get over it. Because seriously if God had anything to do with it, it would not have happend in the first place.
Secondly, Rihanah you are one girl out to show the rest of the world how stupid you are. It’s wemon like you that encourage men like Chris Brown to keep hitting thier wives and girlfriends. I bet the next time he hits you, and oh there will be a next time, you dont say a thing. Well you have to live with the role model youve become I can asure you that I will not let my daughter hold you on any pedastol. That goes the same for you Chris Brown you are in the honey moon fase now but the next time she pisses you off, youll be right back to your old tricks. So screw you both. Your both at fault now!
for the comment above..you shouldnt think like that because first of all you dont really know what happened between them you wasnt there..and who cares if you dont like them no more you 1 person they dont have to worry about. anyway i think what he did was wrong but onli they know why it got to that point..i still love you both i just hopw i wont see nothin like that about yall. wish you the best of luck.
After years of testing and modification, our engineers finally worked out the world’s best match system. Check out *** http://WWW.INTERRACIAL CONNECT.COM *** There are Over millions of profiles from all over the world! No matter where you are or what you are, you can find someone just around your neighborhood. You can get their pictures, phone numbers, locations, and almost any information. Sing up for FREE now!
They both are sad and pathetic. I will never have any respect for either of them again. I don’t care what comes out during the court case. I will not support anyone that thinks domestic violence is ok.
all i have to say is i still like chris breezy..what he dos in his life i dont really care..those pics of rih. were badd but the next day she was fine…oh shes scared for life blah blah.. shes obviously weak cause tina turner had no problem fightin ike so why could rihanna fight chris….but Freeze is still my fav song so all tha haters can eat there wordz
The last young ladies comments were very disturbing. She is entitled to her opinion about Chris Brown as an artist, but women need to realize the severity of this situation. Set aside their celebrity status… domestic violence is a very serious subject and it needs to be adressed as such. I believe that until Chris gets professional help the odds of history repeating itself are inevitable. They both are in my prayers.
she is so fukin stupid she should get with lil wayne
blaming Rihanna for the choices of teenaged girls is just as dumb as blaming video games and television for teenage violence, the lessons of life start at home people, you should be your childs example p.s. people in glass houses shouldnt throw stones
I for one have lost all respect for both of them. I abhor domestic violence on either side of the line and while I understand the psyche of the abused I lost all respect for Rihanna. Many women stay with abusive partners because they have limited resources and little to no support; she has it all and still went back to him. I was a fan of both but now I could care less, and all the sympathy I had for her is out of the window.
i thank she did the right thing by going back 2 him. Rihanna we still luv u bab
All I got to say is every one has there ups and downs we learn from our mistakes im Sure Brown didnt intend on doing this theres many domestic violence cases around the world they never drew this much attention just because these two are celeberties doesnt mean media/everyone has to blow this out of proportion. Grow up and do something better with your time than tryna be psychiotrists however u spell that! But yeah just wanted to put my piece of mind out there peace
Personally, I think Rhianna is so stupid for going back to chris. Does she honestly think that its going to stop, that all the sudden he just had an epiphany and he just changed his ways? What it is, is that he doesn’t want to get in anymore trouble, so he’s being all lovey dovey. I lost all sympathhy for Rhianna. I use to love them both. Now I really dont care about either one.
i for one am shocked that chris brown would even put his hands on rihanna. he doesnt seem like the type but i guess looks can be deceiving but everybody has ups and downs in their relationships if she wants him back so be it they are both adults they are not kids they can do whatever they please its their choice so who cares what the media thinks
Just have to say it is hard to leave a stuation that is bad. Putting someone down for seeing the good in people is wrong. She may or may not be making a mistake by going back to him. But leaving any abusive relationship takes time and it is a process it does not happen at once. If it happens once it is easy to forgive and believe it won’t happen again. Unfortunately most of the time it does repeat. I hope she figures things out for herself and that she stays safe. For the record it takes on average 4 times of leaving and returning before you finally leave for good.
Many fans here in Nigeria are disappointed. i am a fan of both. i think the ideal person for rihanna is ne-yo not chris.
i think that is awsome news
i like it coz rihanna and chris belong together nd congratz with the new one wow i can imagine chris being a daddy wow i like it
I think everybody should mind there own…..and stay outta theres! There is 24 hours in a day….12hours to mind your own business and 12hours to saty outta eveybody elses….Thanks!
As a young woman, I find it extremely dis-heartening that Rihanna would continue in a relationship that obviously is dangerous and explosive.
It is her choice but she has made the WRONG choice!!!!!
The fact that she is still with him is crazy!!! She should turn the tables on him! I found this game where you play as her and beat up Chris lol it’s called Rihanna’s Revenge… http://www.joinkers.com/headline/rihannasrevenge/
I hope that he does not kill her the next time!!!
If I was 12 years old, I might find this newsworthy–other than that, who cares about these 2 no-talents?