Chris Brown denies anti-gay slur and pleads not guilty to assault charges
R&B star Chris Brown is denying claims of making a homophobic slur during an alleged attack on a man outside a Washington DC hotel.
The incident occurred at around 4.30am on Sunday morning.
TMZ.com reports a law enforcement source claimed that the R&B star said, “I’m not into this gay shit, I’m into boxing,” before punching the alleged victim.
But a friend close to the controversial rapper insisted: “Chris is many things, but NOT homophobic.
“He is upset that he’s been quoted as making any kind of homophobic comment and is desperate to set the record straight.”
Brown, 24, has been released following his arrest; the charges have been reduced from a felony to a less serious misdemeanour.
The singer’s lawyer, Danny Onorato, said: “Christopher Brown committed no crime.
“We understand that his security staff acted to protect Mr Brown and Mr Brown’s property as he was authorised to do under District of Columbia law.
“We are confident that Mr Brown will be exonerated of any wrongdoing.”
According to court documents, the man told police he’d tried to push his way into a photograph Brown was taking with a woman and her friend.
Parker Adams, 20, from Maryland, claimed he was punched by both Brown and his bodyguard Chris Hollosy before Brown boarded his tour bus.
The star is due back in court on 25 November.
Brown recently spoke out in support of gay rights – but he also has a history of making anti-gay remarks when he loses his temper.
In August, the ‘Don’t Wake Me Up’ star was ordered to do 1,000 hours of community service after his probation stemming from a 2009 assault on his ex-girlfriend Rihanna was restored.
