Warrant...

[From Associated Press]

Bench warrant issued for arrest of singer Bobby Brown after he fails to appear in court

.c The Associated Press

DECATUR, Georgia (AP) - A state court judge issued a warrant for the arrest of R&B singer Bobby Brown after he failed to appear in court.

State Court Judge Wayne M. Purdom said Brown's performance Monday night at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles showed he violated his bond. Brown, whose wife is singer Whitney Houston, had been ordered not to leave Georgia.

He was required to appear in court Monday by conditional bond orders issued Nov. 12 and Nov 15, when Brown was in court to face 6-year-old charges of driving under the influence, no proof of insurance, failure to maintain lane and speeding.

Brown's attorney, Xavier Dicks, said he expected his client would turn himself in Friday. He said Brown went to Los Angeles because he was under contract to perform at the awards show.

``When you are an entertainer, you've got to perform sooner or later,'' Dicks said.

Brown was arrested Nov. 7 in Atlanta on charges of possessing less than an ounce of marijuana, speeding and having no driver's license or proof of insurance. After posting bond in Atlanta, the 33-year-old was transferred to the neighboring DeKalb County Jail to face the older charges. He was then released on $10,000 bond.

NEWSFILE: 16 JANUARY 2003