Judge Postpones Sentencing Chris Brown, Wants More Information On Plea Deal Labor Program

A Los Angeles Superior Court Judge has postponed sentencing Chris Brown over his assault of Rihanna.

Judge Patricia M. Schnegg was expected to rule on Wednesday on the plea deal Brown struck with prosecutors in June related to charges stemming from a February 8 incident where he assaulted his then-girlfriend, Rihanna. Instead, the sentencing was moved to August 27 as the judge wanted further clarification about at least one aspect of the plea deal.

Under the deal, the singer pleaded guilty to one felony assault charge. His plea deal included five years of probation, enrollment in a domestic violence counseling program and 180 days in a labor program in his home state of Virginia.

On Thursday, Judge Schnegg was adamant that she did not want the labor program to be community service, but actual labor. The parties agreed that they needed more time to figure out the labor portion of the plea deal and, as a result, sentencing was postponed until a hearing later in the month.

In July, Brown finally spoke out for the first time about the incident with Rihanna, apologizing for his actions.

“Since February, my attorney has advised me not to speak out, even though ever since the incident I wanted to publicly express my deepest regret and accept full responsibility,” the singer said in a two-minute clip posted on his official YouTube channel. “Although I will do some interviews and answer some questions in the future, I felt that it was time that you heard directly from me that I am sorry.”

In the clip, Brown said he would strive in the future to ensure incidents like the one with Rihanna, would remain a part of his past – not his future.

“I have started and I am continuing to seek help to ensure that what occurred in February can never happen again,” he said. “And as I sit here today, I can tell you that I will do everything in my power to make sure that it never happens again — and I promise that.

“What I did was unacceptable – 100 percent,” he continued. “I can only ask and pray that you forgive me, please.”