Today is a big day in the whole Rihanna vs. Chris Brown case. Rihanna is due to take the stand in court against the singer, more than four months after the horrific night where Brown was accused of assaulting her. The preliminary hearing will determine if there is enough evidence against him to stand trial. While both parties are required to appear in court today, Rhianna could very well refuse to take the stand due to the nature of the case. If she does take the stand, Rihanna is expected to describe what was written in the detective’s report from the night of the alleged attack. She could be on the stand for more than two hours. It will be her first time publicly talking about what happened the night her boyfriend allegedly attacked her. Her lawyer, Donald Etra, said Rihanna cleared her schedule so she could be in court if prosecutors call her as a witness. Her testimony could very well make or break the case.
One big question looms over Rihannas head: Will Browns attorney Mark Geragos cross examine her if she does indeed testify? If the case goes to trial, Geragos has said that he will make a big point that Rihanna was the initial aggressor in the situation, repeatedly hitting Brown before he began hitting on her. Rihanna said Brown had beaten her before and the violence was escalating. Also important to the case is the pictures taken of Rhianna after the attack. Those photos will almost certainly be introduced into evidence during todays hearing. Geragos has said he hoped to avoid the spectacle of public testimony, but plea-deal talks failed and California’s Supreme Court last week rejected his request to delay the hearing to decide if the case should go to trial.
Los Angeles Criminal Court Judge Patricia Schnegg decided against allowing cameras into the courtroom during Rihanna’s testimony, so there will be no tv or livestream coverage of todays events. Brown had better hope that Rihanna is having a good day, because his freedom ultimately lies in her hands.
