Chris Brown likely will spend the next year in group counseling sessions learning about control and other relationship issues as part of his court-ordered treatment for beating ex-girlfriend Rihanna.
Brown was sentenced in California Tuesday to five years' probation, six months of community labor and a year of domestic violence counseling for the February attack, and he must stay away from his former girlfriend for the next five years. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg is allowing Brown to complete the community labor and counseling in Richmond, near his Montpelier home.
Brown, 20, will undergo domestic violence counseling at Commonwealth Catholic Charities, a nonprofit social services organization that works with people from all faiths in central and southwestern Virginia. Executive Director Joanne D. Nattrass said most of the counseling likely will be done in group sessions. She would not reveal when Brown would start the treatment, nor any details about the program.
In a letter to the court, the charity said it would report on Brown's status monthly. Brown would be allowed to miss up to three sessions.
Richmond police officials said they still were working out what types of chores Brown will perform as community labor and when he would start. Schnegg wanted Brown to perform physical labor instead of community service, such as mentoring young people.
Brown faces prison time if he violates the terms of his sentence.
