A bodyguard for singer Chris Brown is on trial for assault charges in Washington, a case that is a preview for the musician’s own trial. Christopher Hollosy’s trial began Thursday in Superior Court.
A lawyer says the man who claims he was punched by Chris Brown and his bodyguard is trying to "get rich" as a result of a bloody nose.
Bernard Grimm made the statements at a trial in D.C. for his client, bodyguard Christopher Hollosy, who is charged with misdemeanor assault.
Hollosy's trial began Thursday in Superior Court.
Brown and Hollosy were arrested in October after a 20-year-old Beltsville, Md., man accused them of punching him outside the W Hotel near the White House.
Hollosy told police he punched the man after he tried to get on Brown's tour bus. The man told police a different story. He said Brown and later Hollosy punched him because he tried to get in a photo Brown was taking with the man's girfriend and another female friend.
The prosecution said Brown and Hollosy hit the man with back-to-back punches, injuring his face and breaking his nose.
The victim, his girlfriend and a limo driver all testified Thursday that Brown threw punches during the incident. However, on cross-examination, the limo driver said he saw Brown throw a punch that grazed the victim's shoulder. He said he then saw Hollosy throw a punch that resulted in blood.
The victim's girlfriend, however, testified that she didn't see the bodyguard punch anyone.
A police officer who responded to the scene also testified Thursday before the proscecution rested. The defense then made a motion to acquit, which the judge is expected to rule on Friday. If the judge does not accept the motion, the defense will call its witnesses.
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At the time of the alleged assault in D.C., Brown was on probation in California for a 2009 attack on singer Rihanna, his then-girlfriend. Soon after his arrest in D.C., he entered rehab for anger management treatment, but was jailed in mid-March after violating the treatment facility's rules.
If convicted in the D.C. case, Brown could face additional penalties, including time behind bars, under the terms of a court order in the Rihanna case.
Last week, a judge ordered that Brown and Hollosy be tried separately. Brown's trial will begin after Hollosy's ends. Both cases will be decided by a judge, not a jury.
Hollosy's trial is expected to last about one more day.
A civil case is also in the works. The victim is suing for $3 million for doctors' bills, pain and suffering.
The defense said the victim provoked the fight and now just wants to make money.