WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | (1-29-04) James Brown released on personal recognizance after domestic violence charges

(1-29-04) James Brown released on personal recognizance after domestic violence charges

(Aiken) Jan. 29, 2004 - Soul singer James Brown was released on a personal recognizance bond Thursday morning after being arrested Wednesday by Aiken County Sheriff’s Deputies on a criminal domestic violence charge.

The decision this morning means he won't have to put up any money. His trial date is set for February 26 at 2:00pm in Aiken County court.

Aiken County Sheriff's spokesman Lieutenant Michael Frank says the 70-year-old singer was arrested following a domestic dispute at his Beech Island home.

Deputies received a 9-1-1 hang-up call from the Brown residence. A dispatcher was able to reestablish contact and determined a domestic dispute was in progress. Aiken Sheriff Michael Hunt says two deputies responded, "Mr. Brown met them after they entered the front door. They interviewed both people and decided they had enough probable cause to arrest Mr. Brown."

Deputies say Brown pushed his wife to the floor during an argument in a bedroom. Brown said in court Thursday morning, "The main thing is I would never hurt my wife and beat up on her like that. I love her very much."

Sheriff hunt says 33-year-old Tomi Rae Brown had scratches and bruises to her arm and hip and was taken to the hospital. Aiken County Emergency Medical Services transported the her to the Medical College of Georgia, in Augusta. She was not present at today's hearing.

If convicted, Brown faces a maximum penalty of a $500 fine and 30 days in jail. Brown stayed in jail overnight Wednesday at the Aiken County Detention Center until his bond hearing.

Brown has served prison time before. Known as the Godfather of Soul, he served a two-and-a-half-year prison term after a 1988 arrest on drug and assault charges and was convicted of a drug-related offense in 1998.

Brown's attorney, Jim Huff, said the charges will have no effect on the state pardon the soul singer received in May from the state Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services.

Soul Brother Number One began this year on a low note, but he's not dwelling on his misfortune. In fact, he's planning a trip, "I've got to go to the U.N. to see about saving our country. That's first.  God and country, then wife."

Last month, he was honored at the Kennedy Center as "one of the most influential musicians of the past 50 years."

Brown grew up in Augusta, Georgia, and has had offices and a radio station in the city.

Updated 5:56pm by Chris Rees with AP