Assault

The infamous Chris Brown – or “Chris Beat Her Down” as he’s been called in a number of blogs – made an appearance at the Criminal Courts in Los Angeles yesterday after attending 17 out of his required 52 domestic violence classes and performing 32  out of 108 required days of community service in Virginia.

LA Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg went over all of the papers sent from authorities in Virginia and since Brown complied with what she originally ordered him to do, the singer was granted an order that permits him to travel out of town between May 18 and June 27 for his concert performances, only if he gets permission from her in advance.

Brown has to show up back in court on May 11 for the next progress hearing.

For those of you who don’t know – Brown plead guilty on June 22, 2009 to attacking and assaulting his then-girlfriend Rihanna after a pre-Grammy Awards ceremony in LA. The singer was sentenced on August 25 to five years probation and 180 days of community labor, which is currently fulfilling.

We all hope he learned his lesson.

Yesterday Olympic skater Nancy Kerrigan said that her and her family plan to help her brother fight a state medical examiner’s finding that her father’s death was a homicide.

Her father, 70-year-old Daniel Kerrigan, died on January 24 after what police said was a physical struggle with his 45-year-old son Mark, who was charged with assault.

Two days ago, District Attorney Gerry Leone said that a medical autopsy determined the cause of death for Kerrigan’s father was “cardiac dysrhythmia” — an interruption or lack of a normal heartbeat that can lead to cardiac arrest. This, however, occurred after a physical dispute with reported neck compression that damaged his windpipe.

Supporting accused Mark, the Kerrigans family issued a statement disagreeing with the autopsy findings and stayed that Daniel had a pre-existing heart condition before the altercation.

Mark is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation after pleading “not guilty” to a charge of assault and battery on an elderly person.

In a letter released yesterday, Nancy said her father was her “safety net,” and “the ultimate role model” for her two brothers — “the guy they continue to try to emulate.”

The Story

Back in December, singer Amy Winehouse was criminally charged in connection with an assault at the Milton Keynes Theatre in London.

According to police, the singer attacked a staff member at a Christmas show of Cinderella after staff members attempted to usher her from the audience into a private box. Winehouse allegedly kicked and punched staffer Richard Pound and was charged with a “public order offense” and common assault.

The 26-year-old voluntarily turned herself in to authorities and was scheduled to appear in court yesterday.

The Follow-Up

Winehouse stood before London’s Keynes Magistrates Court yesterday and plead guilty to the December assault charges. The judge ordered her to pay Richard Pound 185 pounds – or $300 – in compensation and costs.

The judge also declared that if the singer did not commit any more offenses for two years she will avoid any further punishment under conditional discharge.

Winehouse blamed her disorderly behavior on drinking too much that night (surprise, surprise) and Paul Morris, Winehouse’s defense lawyer, explained to the judge how much the singer has changed her ways and improved her lifestyle since the incident.

Judge Crabtree replied, “You [Amy] clearly have taken effort from this report to address your alcohol problems and any other problems you may have, so you get credit for that. [But] if you commit another offense you’ll be hit hard and you’ll be hit twice.”

Hopefully this will keep the chaotic singer out of trouble for a while…

Yeah right!

There’s always something going on with Amy Winehouse. The singer has consistently been in headlines for legal problems and has received more media attention about her out-of-control behavior than her musical achievements! Much like a lot of celebrities nowadays…

Yesterday in London, England Winehouse, 26, was criminally charged in connection with an assault at a theater last week.

According to police, Winehouse allegedly attacked a theater staff member at a holiday show at Milton Keynes Theatre on Saturday night. Staff attempted to usher her from the audience into a private box, but Winehouse kicked and punched Richard Pound before being taken out of the theater by her own security guards.

Under the name Amy Civil (she divorced husband Blake Fielder-Civil earlier this year), Winehouse was charged with a “public order offense and common assault,” according to a press release.

Winehouse voluntarily turned herself in with her attorney by her side Wednesday and was arrested. The singer is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 20.

Since being a part of The Rolling Stones for the past three decades, 62-year-old guitarist Ronnie Wood has had a somewhat over-the-top private life in addition to his crazy life on the road.

Wood was released on bail yesterday until a court date in January after being arrested for an alleged domestic assault two days ago on Claygate High Street near a town southwest of London.

According to police, they were called to the scene around 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 2 after a domestic incident was reported. Wood was taken into custody and spent the night in jail before being released on bail yesterday.

Although details surrounding the arrest have been kept a secret as the event is still under investigation, it is reported that Wood began dating a 20-year-old Russian cocktail waitress while married to wife Jo for 24 years. Wood’s name was prominent in the news last year as his divorce on the grounds of adultery was highly publicized all over the world.

Police haven’t yet released any details explaining who was assaulted. I’m sure we’ll be hearing very soon and it will be juicy, as always.