Chris Brown returned to court in London on Friday, July 11, where he pleaded not guilty to lesser charges tied to his alleged attack of a music producer at a nightclub two years ago.
The two additional charges Brown addressed were for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and carrying an offensive weapon. Brown is accused of attacking the producer Amadou “Abe” Diaw with a tequila bottle and stomping on him in February 2023.
Last month, Brown pleaded not guilty to the most serious assault charge against him. He did not address the two other charges at the time because his lawyers requested more time to look over the evidence the prosecution had only just handed over.
According to NBC News, Brown had about 20 supporters in the courtroom during the short hearing. Two reportedly said, “We love you, Chris,” as the singer left for the day.
Brown was arrested back in May while at a hotel in Manchester, and a judge initially ruled that he should be held without bail due to the “extremely serious” allegations against him. He spent several days in jail until a judge ultimately let him go on a $6.7 million bond. Brown was also allowed to embark on his summer world tour, which began with a U.K. and European leg, and arrives in North America later this month.
Along with Brown, the rapper HoodyBaby (real name Omolulu Akinlolu) was also charged with grievous bodily harm with intent in connection with the alleged February 2023 attack. Akinlolu, a longtime friend and collaborator of Brown’s, previously pleaded not guilty to that charge and entered a not guilty plea for causing actual bodily harm today.
The criminal cases against Brown and Akinolu were brought after Diaw filed a civil suit against Brown over the alleged bottle attack in October 2023. Just a few weeks ago, however, Diaw dismissed the suit with prejudice, meaning the case cannot be filed again in court. A settlement between the two parties has not yet been confirmed.
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