HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED:
Chris Brown pleaded not guilty to assaulting Rihanna.
His mother sat in the first row, red-eyed.
Donald Etra, a lawyer for Rihanna said the singer was hoping a plea deal could be reached before the case goes to trial.
"She would be pleased if this was over quickly," attorney Donald Etra said. He reiterated that Rihanna would testify if required.
Sponsors have stopped using Brown, some radio stations have stopped playing his music and some broadcasters have even started playing an anti-Chris Brown song created by the little-known dance group Smoke Jumpers.
Brown left the courthouse with his mother, two bodyguards and an entourage.
On his way out, he had to walk through a phalanx of cameras. He was picked up by a car in front of the courthouse.
Geragos offered no comment and quickly left the courthouse with his client. HE END...