Mar 1, 2007 6:17 pm US/Eastern
Judge Gives Foxy Brown One More Chance
NEW YORK (CBS/AP) ―
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Recording artist Foxy Brown speaks during a news confrence on Feb. 26, 2007 in Brooklyn. Brown addressed battery and obstruction of justice allegations made against her in Florida. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
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Rapper Foxy Brown in her arrest photo from Florida.
CBS
Rapper Foxy Brown, warned by a judge that her next probation offense would be her last, was allowed to remain free Thursday after she pleaded guilty to violating probation by leaving New York without permission.
New York authorities became aware of Brown's trip outside New York when she was arrested during a fracas at a beauty supply store in Pembroke Pines, Fla., on Feb. 15. Police there charged her with resisting an officer and simple battery.
Lawyers for the Department of Probation and the Manhattan district attorney's office urged Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Melissa Jackson to jail Brown, whose real name is Inga Marchand. Both, in effect, called her incorrigible.
But Jackson said, "If she pleads guilty to leaving the jurisdiction without permission, I will allow her to continue on probation with the condition that on the next violation, she's getting resentenced."
"I'm going to give her basically what is a third chance," the judge said. "I'm going to give her one more chance -- three strikes and you're out. Basically, I'll be giving the keys to the jailhouse to Ms. Marchand."
"I'm reserving the right to resentence you to jail for a year," Jackson told Brown, 27, of Brooklyn. "You have the key, but that key will be taken away from you in a flash" if the rapper commits another violation.
Brown, in 31/2-inch heels and a tight tan plaid skirt and mauve blouse, smiled broadly and spoke animatedly outside court about the judge's lenient decision.
"I believe Judge Jackson believes I'm trying to work hard," Brown said. "She seems to be saying, 'I'm pulling for you, kiddo. She's seeing the maturity in me and she believes in me. I'm at the rebuilding stage as a person."
In the Feb. 15 Florida incident, police said Brown threw hair glue at a beauty shop employee when he asked her to leave because the shop was closing. She later struggled with an officer, police said.
Charged with battery and resisting an officer with violence, Brown was released after posting a $1,500 bond.
Brown was already on three years probation stemming from an Aug. 29, 2004, incident in Manhattan's Chelsea area in which she attacked two manicurists at a nail salon over payment.
Brown's misdemeanor assault plea deal required her to get anger management counseling. On Thursday, the judge told her she had to have a session at least once a week for the next year.
Jackson told Brown's lawyer, State Sen. John Sampson, "If your client could have impulse control, she'd be fine."
Brown's albums include "Ill Na Na" and "Chyna Doll," and she has been known for her sexy outfits and racy lyrics.
(© 2006 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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