The Chrihanna Chronicles: Chris Says 'Not Guilty'

As expected, Chris Brown entered a not guilty to felony charges of assaulting and threatening to kill Rihanna after a pre-Grammy party in February. The 19-year-old arrived at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles with his mother and four bodyguards today. He was greeted by fans, protesters with signs, and the media. Several sheriff's deputies accompanied his entourage as they entered the building.

After hearing the charges against him -- assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury and making criminal threats -- Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg asked for his plea. Chris answered with a hushed "not guilty, your honor."

As we've told you, Brown's legal camp -- headed up by Mark "Get 'Em Off" Geragos -- has been trying to hammer out a deal with prosecutors that would prevent Chris from having to spend any time behind bars. If he's convicted on both charges, he faces almost five years in prison.

Meanwhile, Rihanna has removed herself from the situation by going back to her home in Barbados late last week. However, she has been cooperating with the LA District Attorney's Office on Brown's case. She wasn't in court today, but her attorney, Donald Etra, was.

Brown is due back in court on Wednesday, April 29th.

The Chrihanna Chronicles: New Hearing Set

What's really going on? According to Entertainment Tonight, an unexpected hearing has been scheduled in the Chris Brown assault case. This "status conference" will be held on Monday, March 23rd with just the lawyers and the judge.

Because Chris signed a waiver of presence -- which means that he doesn't have to show up for any minor proceedings that his attorney, Mark "Get 'em Off" Geragos, can handle -- during his March 5th hearing, he won't be there. Rihanna won't be on hand for these unexpected festivities, either.

Brown is charged with two felony counts of assault and making criminal threats in connection with that now infamous incident allegedly involving the Good Girl Gone Bad. His arraignment is scheduled for Monday, April 6th.

***UPDATE***

If what TMZ.com is reporting is true, the hearing may let Rihanna off the testifying hook. Apparently both Get 'Em Off Geragos and Donald Etra, Rihanna'a attorney, believe that the 21-year-old singer was compromised when her name surfaced as the alleged victim in the case. Because this and other leaks have violated her right to privacy, she shouldn't have to put herself out any further by testifying against Brown. Stay tuned...

The Chrihanna Chronicles: A Deal for Chris?

Is there a deal in the works for Chris Brown? The New York Daily News is reporting that, as of last night, the Los Angeles Police Department still hadn't turned in a case against the 19-year-old singer who allegedly beat his girlfriend, Rihanna, last month after a pre-Grammy party. He was arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats and is under investigation for felony battery. Experts say that without a formal charge, Chris' day in court could simply extend his 50-thousand dollar bail.

Dmitry Gorin, a former deputy district attorney, told the Daily News that a good attorney will do his or her best to try to settle the matter before the charges are actually brought to court. He added, "These types of pleas are more typical in misdemeanor cases."

Mark Geragos -- Brown's high-powered attorney whose high-profile clients include Michael Jackson and Winona Ryder -- didn't have a comment when reached last night. In fact, he laughed and said he might be able to speak later on today.

Another complication -- Rihanna has reportedly taken Chris back. Without her testimony, prosecutors will have a hard time making anything stick to Mr. Kiss Kiss. Stay tuned...