Chris Brown to Receive Final Sentencing Today

Aug. 5, 2009— -- Hard work lies ahead for Chris Brown.

The 20-year-old R&B singer is scheduled today to receive a final sentence of six months of community labor and five years of probation for beating ex-girlfriend Rihanna.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg, who originally sentenced Brown, made it clear that she would like Brown, who will likely be allowed to serve his probation in his home state of Virginia, to do work that is comparable to graffiti removal or roadside cleanup.

In June, Brown pleaded guilty to felony assault in exchange for probation at a preliminary hearing in which Rihanna was expected to testify. Instead the former couple never faced each other. The pop singer showed up in court just after Brown left.

Donald Etra, Rihanna's attorney, told The Associated Press Tuesday that the 21-year-old singer would not appear in court for Brown's sentencing. Etra said he would ask Schnegg to rescind a restraining order that keeps the pair from talking or meeting one another.

"No stay-away order was ever requested by Rihanna, nor did she ever believe it was necessary," he told People magazine.

Etra said he would ask that it be replaced by an order that prohibits Brown from harassing, annoying or molesting Rihanna.

The last time Rihanna appeared in court, wearing a black mini dress and pearls and appearing perfectly coiffed, she stood calmly while the judge explained the details of the protective order.

As part of his plea deal, Brown was also ordered to attend 52 weeks of domestic violence counseling and surrender any fire arms within 24 hours. Brown must also submit a DNA sample.

After the prosecutor read off the terms of the plea agreement, the judge asked Brown, "How do you plea?" He responded in a strong voice, "Guilty."

"I think it is commendable that you took responsibility for your actions," the judge then told Brown. "I hope the terms of your probation will have some meaning for you. This will be a felony. This will be formal probation, supervised probation."

Schnegg also said his community service would not be at a "church or old folks home." Instead, she described it as transportation duty, which amounts to picking up trash along the roadways, and cleaning off graffiti.

With the plea arrangement, Brown's and Rihanna's accounts of that fateful night, which left her bruised and bloodied and Brown under arrest for felony charges, will remain unsaid -- at least for now.

Last month, however, Brown broke his silence and made a public apology on YouTube to his fans and claimed to have apologized to Rihanna numerous times. He reiterated that he was seeking help and explained why he didn't open up sooner.

"Since February my attorney has advised me not to speak out, even though since the incident I wanted to publicly express my deepest regret and accept full responsibility," Brown begins.

"Although I would do some interviews and answer some questions in the future, I felt it was time you heard directly from me that I am sorry. I have tried to live my life in a way that would make those around me proud of me, and until recently, I think I was doing a pretty good job. I wish I had the chance to live those few moments again, but unfortunately I can't."

Events Leading Up to Plea Deal

Feb. 7, 2009

Rihanna and Brown are all smiles at a high-profile industry party together at mega-producer Clive Davis' home on Saturday, the night before they were both scheduled to perform at the Grammy Awards.

Feb. 8, 2009

Brown and Rihanna are involved in an early morning argument and assault in his car while parked in the Hancock Park area of Los Angeles around 12:30 a.m. Responding to a 911 call about a disturbance, the LAPD takes statements from a female with visible injuries, who named Brown as her attacker.

Brown, who had fled the scene, later turns himself into police and was charged with two felonies, assault and making criminal threats, and was released after posting $50,000 bail. Grammy producers scramble to fill the slots allotted to Brown and Rihanna, as both are no-shows.

Feb. 15, 2009

Brown releases a statement : "Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired. I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God's help, to emerging a better person."

The statement comes too late for advertisers for the Milk Mustache campaign and Wrigley's Doublemint gum, which severed their relationship with Brown. Some radio stations also stop airing Brown's songs.

Rihanna has yet to speak out, but her father, Ronald Fenty, does. "There is some bruising. She will be all right. I think so," he told People magazine. "At some point, she will speak out. I hope she will stand up for women all over the world.

Feb. 19, 2009

A graphic photo of a battered Rihanna is leaked on the Internet. The picture is a close-up of a young woman with her eyes closed and bruises and cuts on her forehead, lips and cheeks.

Reports surface of Brown's violent past. In an interview with Giant magazine, he talked about growing up terrified, watching his stepfather abuse his mother. Rihanna also suffered headaches growing up amid her parents' stormy relationship.

There are also reports that the Feb. 8 assault was not the first time Brown hit Rihanna.

Feb. 27, 2009

Chris Brown and Rihanna are photographed together jet-skiing and relaxing at the Miami home of Sean "Diddy" Combs. Rumors buzz that they are back together.

March 5, 2009

A police officer's affadavit detailing Rihanna's beating is released at the same time Brown makes his first appearance in court. Geragos, Brown's attorney, is overheard telling his client that Rihanna's attorney Donald Etra is working with them. Etra is also overheard telling Brown: "I think Rihanna would like this resolved as quickly as possible as well."

The affidavit tells a more grim story. According to the officer, Rihanna read a three-page text message on Brown's phone from another woman and got into a heated argument with Brown. Brown shoved Rihanna into the window of his rented Lamborghini, while driving, the affidavit said. He punched her several times and said, "I'm going to beat the s*** out of you when we get home," the affidavit said. When Rihanna countered by calling her assistant's phone, according to the affidavit, Brown warned, "You just did the stupidest thing ever. I'm going to kill you."

March 7, 2009

Brown returns to work in the recording studio and urges kids to vote for him for Nickelodeon's Kids Choice Awards. He withdraws his nomination a few days later.

Rumors that the couple is working on a love duet are shot down by an industry source.

April 3, 2009

Brown pleads not guilty to both felony counts.

May 7, 2009

Geragos argues Rihanna's leaked photo may be grounds for the case to be dismissed.

May 27, 2009

Brown releases two videos on YouTube telling his "haters" that he is not a "monster" and, by the way, buy his new album too.

June 11, 2009

Both Brown and Rihanna are spotted at an NBA game, though not together. The couple has not been linked together since early March.

Rihanna hangs out with new friend Katy Perry and is romantically linked to Kanye West and Aubrey Graham. Brown celebrates his 20th birthday with a low-key affair in his hometown in Virginia.

June 18, 2009

The court refuses to delay Brown's hearing. The preliminary hearing was to determine whether there was enough evidence for the case to go to trial.