Chris Brown
The R&B singer was charged with assaulting singer and girlfriend Rihanna.
Dec. 14, 2009 — -- When photos were released online of battered pop star princess Rihanna, the man behind her beating 2009 – Chris Brown – went from being the prince of R&B to one of the most despised men in America.
The abuse in a seemingly fairytale relationship sent shockwaves through Hollywood and set off a firestorm of controversy.
According to the police affidavit, the argument after a pre-Grammy Awards party Feb. 8, 2009 began when Rihanna read a text message on Brown's phone from another woman. Brown shoved Rihanna into the window of his car while driving.
He punched her several times, according to the police report, and said, "I'm going to beat the s**t out of you when we get home."
Brown turned himself in to police eight hours later and was charged with two felonies, assault and making criminal threats.
The R&B singer, now 20, pleaded guilty to assault and was sentenced to five years of probation, community labor and one year of domestic violence counseling. He said the classes have helped him control his emotions.
"It was something that -- I really have to really think about it. I was like, 'Man, I let a lot of people down,'" Brown told ABC News' Robin Roberts.
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