Chris Brown’s legal team is working to narrow the focus of his upcoming dog attack trial, urging a judge to keep the case centered on the incident itself rather than his past.
In new court filings, the singer’s attorneys asked that references to Brown’s 2009 assault case involving Rihanna be excluded from the proceedings. They argue that raising irrelevant history would unfairly sway a jury.
“This case should be decided on what happened during one encounter, not on decades-old headlines,” the defense wrote in its motion.
The lawsuit was filed by Patricia Avila and her daughter, Maria Avila, who claims she suffered serious injuries after being attacked by Brown’s dog, Hades. Court documents allege lasting harm, including nerve damage and partial vision loss that could require surgery.
Breezy disputes negligence and points to an Animal Control report describing an immediate response when Avila cried out. Officer Angela Hooks noted that Brown and a security guard reacted quickly. His lawyers also maintain that the dog had no known history of aggression and that Avila approached without supervision despite warnings.
“This is not about reputation. It’s about responsibility and facts,” a source close to the defense said.
The judge’s decision on what evidence can be presented is expected to shape how the trial unfolds.