2002: Nippy News Release Articles

Georgia Judge Orders Singer Bobby Brown to Trial
submitted by: Lisa D.
source: Reuters, Associated Press
Date: November 25, 2002

ATLANTA - A Georgia judge denied a motion on Monday to dismiss 6-year-old traffic charges against rhythm and blues singer Bobby Brown, and ordered the entertainer to face a Jan. 21 jury trial.

DeKalb County State Court Judge Wayne Purdom refused to drop misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, failure to maintain a lane, speeding and no proof of insurance stemming from a 1996 traffic stop.

Brown, 33, was accompanied to court by his wife, pop superstar Whitney Houston.

The 1996 charges resurfaced when Brown, a former member of the group New Edition, was arrested two weeks ago in Atlanta and charged with possessing a small amount of marijuana, speeding and having no driver's license or proof of insurance.

Atlanta police discovered a bench warrant for Brown's arrest that had been issued in nearby DeKalb County when the singer failed to show up for a court date on the charges.

Xavier Dicks, Brown's lawyer, argued the 1996 charges should be dismissed because too much time had passed.

But Judge Purdom said the delay in arresting Brown was irrelevant, and set the new court date.

After the hearing, Dicks said Brown and his wife were confident a jury would exonerate the singer. "He feels he's getting a fair shake," Dicks said.

Brown, whose hit songs include "My Prerogative" and "Don't Be Cruel," remains free on bond. He is scheduled to appear in court next month to answer the charges stemming from his recent Atlanta arrest.

Judge Denies Bobby Brown Motion

DECATUR, Ga. - A DeKalb County (Ga.) State Court judge denied a motion today (Nov. 25) to drop charges against singer Bobby Brown from a 1996 traffic stop. Brown appeared in the Decatur, Ga., court with his wife, singer Whitney Houston, with whom he held hands and talked quietly. The courtroom was filled with the couple's entourage and fans.

The 33-year-old singer didn't go to a hearing in 1997 on charges of driving under the influence, speeding, failing to maintain a lane, and having no proof of insurance.

Brown's attorney Xavier Dicks argued the charges happened too long ago and the memory of any potential witnesses would be impaired. State Court Judge Wayne Purdom denied his motion and set a Jan. 21 trial date.

Brown was arrested earlier this month in Atlanta on charges of possessing less than an ounce of marijuana, speeding, and having no driver's license or proof of insurance. After he was released from the Atlanta jail on $1,300 bond, he was transferred to the DeKalb County Jail, where he posted a $10,000 bond.