June 19, 2009 21:34

Rihanna's testimony in Chris Brown case won't be televised

Pop star is expected to testify at assault hearing on Monday (June 22)

Rihanna's testimony in Chris Brown's preliminary hearing will not be televised, a court spokesperson announced yesterday (June 18).

The pop star is expected to testify in a Los Angeles court on Monday (June 22) in her former boyfriend's assault hearing. Without offering an explanation, Los Angeles Criminal Court Judge Patricia Schnegg has denied media requests to allow cameras into the courtroom during Rihanna’s testimony. She did, however, agree to allow a sketch artist to draw the scene, reports CNN.

Brown, 20, faces two felony counts of assault and making criminal threats stemming from an incident that took place in a parked car in Los Angeles in February, the day before the Grammy Awards. A detective's affidavit says that Brown shoved Rihanna’s head against the window of his car, repeatedly punched and bit her and put her in a headlock so that she almost lost consciousness.

If Brown is able to reach a plea agreement by Monday, the hearing would be unnecessary. His lawyer has expressed interest in resolving the matter without public testimony.

--By our Los Angeles staff.
[url="/about"] Find out more about NME.[/url]