Grammy night began and ended with an unfortunate news story: After being sought by police in connection with an alleged domestic assault, Chris Brown has been charged with one count of making felony criminal threats and released from custody on $50,000 bail. The 19-year-old singer was accused of being involved in an altercation with a female victim around 12:30 a.m.So why, you ask, was Chris Brown booked for making criminal threats rather than domestic abuse, given the victim -- we're told Rihanna -- had "visible injuries"?
Sunday morning. Police were summoned to an area near Los Angeles’ Hancock Park neighborhood following reports of a violent domestic dispute that escalated when the two parties involved exited their vehicle. While authorities have refused to identify the victim — who reportedly suffered visible wounds — sources tell Rolling Stone that as suspected, she is Brown’s girlfriend Rihanna. Both stars pulled out of tonight’s Grammy ceremony early Sunday afternoon.
Law enforcement sources tell us they typically book a suspect for the most serious crime they can be charged with -- it's then up to the D.A. to file any additional charges.
Given there were allegedly visible injuries, the crime of making criminal threats is punishable by up to nine years in prison. Domestic abuse is four years.
Chris Brown was arrested Sunday night on suspicion of alleged domestic violence, then released after posting $50,000 bail. The fact that the singer missed attending and performing at the Grammys, and lost both awards he was nominated for was clearly the least of his worries.
The LAPD are investigating the events of early Sunday when they received a 911 call from an unidentified woman who accused Chris Brown of hurting her. Police said the women had visible injuries and Chris left the scene before the authorities arrived.
TMZ is reporting that long-time girlfriend Rihanna is the alleged victim and that she was assaulted with a deadly weapon.
Earlier that evening Chris and Rihanna were hanging out at Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy party. Both singers cancelled their scheduled performances at the Grammys and did not attend the glitzy bash.
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