Brandy and Husband Splitting Up
MARK ARMSTRONG
people.com



Just two years after their secret nuptials, Brandy and her husband, music producer Robert Smith, are splitting up, a source close to the singer tells PEOPLE.

"Brandy and her husband are not together," the source says. "They will remain friends and raise their daughter jointly."

No word on why the couple has called it quits.

Brandy, 24, and Smith, 23, announced their marriage early last year, but the pair said they actually tied the knot in summer 2001. A month later, the former "Moesha" star confirmed that they were expecting a child.

Daughter Sy'rai was born June 16 of last year. (The baby also became the focus of a documentary, "MTV's Diary Presents Brandy: Special Delivery," which followed the performer's last weeks of pregnancy and aired two days after the birth.)

The singer -- whose most recent album was last year's "Full Moon" -- never explained why she chose to keep the marriage private for so long, but she did tell PEOPLE at the time, "It was kind of fun, everyone speculating and wondering."

people.com

Week Ahead:

TUESDAY, JUNE 29: Brandy is out to prove she's Moesha no more with the release of her new album, Afrodisiac. The singer, now a 25-year-old single mom to daughter Sy'rai, 2, has already heated up MTV with her sultry single "Talk About Our Love" featuring hip-hopper Kanye West. The album, the follow-up to her platinum-selling 2002 CD Full Moon, is a look into her life now, including her breakup with music-producer husband Robert Smith, which she sings about on "Who I Am" ("I had to get rid of the weight on my fourth finger, left hand"). The little girl is all grown up.

Brandy, Quentin Richardson Are Engaged
Thursday Jul 29, 2004 10:00am EST
peopl.ecom

Singer Brandy and NBA star Quentin Richardson are engaged, PEOPLE has learned exclusively.

The Chicago-born L.A. Clippers guard, 24, surprised the Mississippi-born former Moesha star, 25, at a private reception at L.A.'s Century Club attended by both of their families and close friends on Tuesday.

Sweetening the surprise: rose petals decorating the club ? and an 11 1/2-carat diamond ring valued at $1 million.

Jeweler Jason Arasheben spent months designing the unique ring ? and finished it only 30 minutes before the proposal.

"It was a total surprise for her," says Arasheben, who has designed custom-made jewelry for the likes of Ashton Kutcher and Michael Jackson.

The couple have been dating about nine months. "He is a great guy for her," Brandy's mother, Sonja Norwood, recently told PEOPLE. "I can see the happiness in her."

Hmmm...is it really an engagement? I want to believe you Brandy, I really, really want to!

Look at the timing...interesting.

Brandy Norwood sings track from her new album, 'Afrodisiac' at Club Spirit on 27th St. - Photo by: DMI

people.com

CAST: Former Moesha star Brandy, 25, is returning to her comedy series roots by finalizing a deal to star in a weekly half-hour project for FOX TV, says the Hollywood Reporter. A concept for the sitcom is still being devised. While that occurs, the trade paper reports, Brandy will continue to promote her latest album, Afrodisiac, which has sold about 287,000 copies in the U.S. since its release in June, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

people.com

SPLIT: By her own volition, Brandy has left Atlantic Records, which has been her record label for her entire career, reports Billboard. No details of the change have been provided, other than that it was instigated by the R&B star, 25, whose four albums on Atlantic have sold more than 8 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. She is said to be talking to other labels, as well as preparing some TV projects, including a 2005 comedy series for FOX.

Three-year-old Sy'rai has a fashion role model: mom Brandy. The R&B singer takes her identically suited daughter on a shopping trip to the trendy West Hollywood boutique Kitson.

source: metaltheory

R & B Singer Brandy has called it quits with her fiance Quentin Richardson. Too bad for her that is two failed very public relationships in a row that must be tough on her. But what made me absolutely furious is the fact that she had a tattoo of his face on her upper shoulder. Now she has it covered up with what looks like huge butterflies which makes it look even worse. What is this poor girl thinking? I told you all a month or so back he was caught cheating with a woman so this might have been the straw that broke the camels back!

Brandy Causes Fatal Car Crash
Posted Jan 24th 2007 11:36AM by TMZ Staff
Filed under: Celebrity Justice
TMZ has learned R&B sensation Brandy was involved in a fatal accident last month, and it appears to be her fault.

It happened at 10:30 AM on December 30, 2006 on the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Brandy was driving her 2007 Land Rover at 65 mph and did not notice that cars in front of her had slowed considerably. We're told Brandy's vehicle struck a 2005 Toyota. The Toyota then hit a 1989 Toyota. The 2005 Toyota then slid sideways and hit the center divider. As the 2005 Toyota came to a halt, it was struck by a 1988 Acura.

We're told the driver of the 2005 Toyota was taken to Holy Cross Hospital in critical condition and she died.

We're told Brandy was not injured. The driver of the Acura suffered moderate injuries.

Brandy was not arrested and there is no evidence drugs or alcohol were involved.

Calls to Brandy's reps have not yet been returned.

Story developing.

That's very sad.

Brandy Involved in Fatal Freeway Crash
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 24, 2007 02:25 PM EST
By Ken Lee

R&B singer Brandy was involved in a four-car accident on a Los Angeles freeway in December that left another female driver dead.

The 28-year-old Moesha star, whose full name is Brandy Norwood, was traveling on the morning of Dec. 30 when her 2007 Land Rover (traveling about 65 mph) struck the rear of a 2005 Toyota, according to a California Highway Patrol statement.

The Toyota's female driver, Awatef Aboudihaj, 38, then hit a third car, causing Aboudihaj to strike a center divider. Aboudihaj sustained major injuries after she was subsequently hit by a fourth driver.

CHP spokesman Leland Tang said Aboudihaj died the following evening, Dec. 31, at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center.

Brandy was uninjured; one other driver sustained moderate injuries. Tang said the singer was "very cooperative and helpful" with officers at the scene.

"Brandy's holding up the best that she can. It has taken a toll on her," Evette Fergerson, a Norwood spokeswoman, tells PEOPLE.

In a statement, Brandy's rep added: "She wishes to publicly express her condolences to the family of the deceased. Brandy asks that you respect the privacy of every one involved at this time."

No arrests have been made, but the accident, first reported Wednesday by TMZ.com, remains under investigation.

"We can't conclude if there's any criminal negligence involved," Tang tells PEOPLE. "It's just too early to tell."

Brandy: The 911 Calls
Posted Jan 24th 2007 7:13PM by TMZ Staff

TMZ has assembled some of the 911 emergency calls made immediately after Brandy's fatal car crash on December 30. [Link]

Brandy Tells Witness Fatal Crash Was Her Fault
Posted Jan 24th 2007 11:36AM by TMZ Staff

UPDATE:
EXCLUSIVE -- BRANDY ADMITTED FAULT AT SCENE
In an exclusive conversation with the man driving directly behind Brandy at the time of her fateful crash, TMZ has learned that the singer repeatedly blamed herself at the scene of the accident.

"She got upset, talking about how it was all her fault ... she didn't stop, kept saying how she hit the lady," says the witness.

He added, "Brandy walked in front of traffic, crossing the lanes of speeding cars, then she did it again. People were honking at her to get out of the road. She was obviously disoriented and highly upset."

The witness also claims he tried to calm the hysterical singer, and even dished out some legal advice, saying he advised her to stop admitting guilt. He also consoled her by repeatedly saying "It was an accident."

The witness also claims he went over to check on the woman in the Toyota, but couldn't find a pulse.

TMZ has learned R&B sensation Brandy was involved in a fatal accident last month, and it appears to be her fault.

It happened at 10:30 AM on December 30, 2006 on the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Brandy was driving her 2007 Land Rover at 65 mph and did not notice that cars in front of her had slowed considerably. We're told Brandy's vehicle struck a 2005 Toyota. The Toyota then hit a 1989 Toyota. The 2005 Toyota then slid sideways and hit the center divider. As the 2005 Toyota came to a halt, it was struck by a 1988 Acura.

In a statement to TMZ from Brandy's publicist, Courtney Barnes, the singer confirmed her involement in a fatal crash: Brandy was involved in a car accident December 30, 2006 in Los Angeles where there was a fatality. She wishes to publicly express her condolences to the family of the deceased. Brandy asks that you respect the privacy of everyone involved at this time.

We're told the driver of the 2005 Toyota, Awatef Aboudihaj, was taken to Holy Cross Hospital in critical condition and she died the next day. Aboudihaj, a 38-year-old married mother of one, was a Los Angeles resident.

Brandy was not injured. The driver of the Acura suffered moderate injuries.

Brandy was not arrested and there is no evidence drugs or alcohol were involved.

Police are doing a mechanical investigation of the cars involved in the accident to determine if there was a malfunction.

Brandy's "Moesha" co-star, Lamont Bentley, was killed in January, 2005 when his car plunged off the same freeway. Another "Moesha" co-star, Merlin Santana, was killed by a gunshot wound while sitting in the passenger seat of a car in 2002.

That's terrible...on a snarky note, her publicist gets some credit for keeping it quiet for this long. But then again, maybe the payoff check, bounced?

I feel so sorry for her, the people that got hit and the person that died (and their family). This is a terrible thing.

Terrible.

Brandy reached out yesterday to the family of a woman killed last month in an L.A. crash that involved the singer. The R&B singer "wishes to publicly express her condolences to the family of the deceased" - Awatef Aboudihaj, 38 - said her rep, Courtney Barnes. California Highway Patrol Officer Leland Tang told us: "Right now, it would be hard to say if there will be any charges against Brandy because we don't know if she's the primary collision factor or if she's just associated." Brandy, 28, was driving a Land Rover Dec. 30 on the 405 Freeway when she rear-ended another car, setting off a four-vehicle crackup, first reported by tmz.com. Brandy was not injured, and there is no evidence that she was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If responsible, Brandy could face misdemeanor charges.

Fatal crash tied to Brandy not due to car flaws
Singer who rear-ended auto last month has been ‘fantastically cooperative’

LOS ANGELES - Mechanical factors were ruled out as contributing to the fatal freeway crash last month involving actress-singer Brandy, who triggered the accident when her vehicle rammed into the car in front of hers, police said Thursday.

But it's unclear whether the 27-year-old former performer, whose full name is Brandy Norwood, will be found to be primarily at fault or criminally negligent in the Dec. 30 crash, said California Highway Patrol spokesman Leland Tang.

A motorist, Awatef Aboudihaj, 38, a married mother of one, was killed after Brandy’s Land Rover struck her from behind. The former star of the television comedy “Moesha” was not hurt.

Aboudihaj’s car was forced into another car in front of hers before swerving into the freeway’s center divider. She was broadsided by a fourth automobile.

A big question remaining for investigators is what caused Aboudihaj’s vehicle to careen across four lanes of traffic, turning what otherwise might have been a relatively minor crash into a fatal one, Tang said.

An inspection of all four vehicles found no mechanical defects, he said.

“We know the person who started the chain reaction was obviously Brandy Norwood,” Tang said.

Tang said investigators would spend the next day or two sifting through evidence from the scene and conducting further interviews before turning the case over to the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office for review.

Tang said Brandy has been “fantastically cooperative” with police.

Alcohol and drugs have been ruled out as factors in the crash, and there is no evidence that Brandy was using a cell phone or was otherwise distracted at the time of the crash. She was in her car alone, Tang said.

The celebrity Web site TMZ.com, which broke the news of the crash on Wednesday, quoted one eyewitness as saying the pop star was visibly distraught at the accident scene and “kept saying how she hit the lady.”

Copyright 2007 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.

panachereport.com

The attorney representing the husband of the woman killed in a 30 December (06) car pile-up involving singer Brandy has attacked the Los Angeles authorities for not making the case a priority.
The R&B singer, real name Brandy Norwood, failed to notice cars slowing down in front of her on the 405 freeway in Los Angeles and ploughed her Land Rover into a Toyota, setting off a chain reaction of collisions. The pile-up left the driver of the Toyota Brandy hit, Awatef Aboudiahj, critically injured.
She died later in hospital. Brandy recently issued a public apology as a fellow motorist involved in the crash revealed the singer admitted fault at the scene. The R&B star was not arrested, but Los Angeles police officials, who have spent the last month investigating the crash, are set to hand the matter over to prosecutors. Attorney Bill Sayed, who is representing the deceased woman's husband, has slammed the authorities, claiming they kept information from his client in a bid to protect a celebrity.
He says, "I think there may have been a level of quietness due to the fact Ms. Norwood was involved." The lawyer reveals Aboudihaj's husband, who does not live in Los Angeles, did not hear about the death of his wife from authorities, but read about the tragedy on the Internet. Sayed adds, "He tells me, `I'm here on my birthday alone because I don't have my family here.'"

Police want Brandy charged in fatality By JEREMIAH MARQUEZ, Associated Press Writer
Tue Jan 30, 2:14 AM ET

LOS ANGELES - The California Highway Patrol recommended Monday that actress-singer Brandy be charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter in a freeway crash that killed a woman motorist last month, a city attorney's spokesman told The Associated Press.

The CHP referred the matter to the city attorney's office for review, said spokesman Nick Velasquez.

"The office is currently reviewing the case and determining whether the evidence warrants the filing of a misdemeanor charge of vehicular manslaughter," Velasquez said.

A message seeking comment from Brandy's publicist, Courtney Barnes, was not immediately returned. Earlier this month, Barnes issued a statement saying Brandy "wishes to publicly express her condolences to the family of the deceased."

Barnes also has said Brandy wasn't under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in county jail and a $1,000 fine, Velasquez said.

Prosecutors couldn't say when they would make a decision about whether to bring a case. If charged, Brandy wouldn't necessarily have to appear in court and could have her lawyer enter a plea, Velasquez said.

Brandy, 27, was driving a Land Rover on Interstate 405 on Dec. 30 when traffic slowed and her vehicle struck the back of Honda driven by Awatef Aboudihaj, 38, according to a CHP report.

Aboudihaj's car hit another vehicle, slid sideways into the center divider and was then hit by another car, the report said. Aboudihaj, a Los Angeles waitress, died at a hospital from blunt-force injuries, according to the coroner's office.

The CHP alleges in a report that Brandy caused the accident by breaking a law against driving at a speed "greater than is reasonable or prudent" or that "endangers the safety of persons or property," according to a part of the report obtained by the AP.

Bill Sayed, an attorney for Aboudihaj's husband, said he supported the CHP's recommendation.

Brandy, who earned a Grammy in 1999, has made five albums. She began her recording career at 14 and acted for film and television, starring on the sitcom "Moesha" from 1996-2001 and most recently as a judge for NBC's "America's Got Talent."

Charge Brandy in fatal wreck, L.A. cops urge

LOS ANGELES - Police recommended yesterday that singer-actress Brandy be charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter in a four-car crash that killed another woman.

The 27-year-old performer, whose full name is Brandy Norwood, triggered a chain-reaction crash when her Land Rover rear-ended another vehicle on Dec. 30, the California Highway Patrol said.

Awatef Aboudihaj, 38, a married mother of one, was killed in the accident.

It's now up to L.A. City attorney's office to decide whether to charge the former "Moesha" star. The misdemeanor offense carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.


News Wire Services


Originally published on January 30, 2007

Brandy Faces Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Car Crash
TUESDAY JANUARY 30, 2007 05:35 PM EST
TUESDAY JANUARY 30, 2007 09:30 PM EST UPDATED
By Ken Lee

The parents of the woman killed in a car accident involving R&B singer Brandy filed a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit Tuesday against the former Moesha star.

The suit, filed by Ahmed Aboudihaj and Zohra Labridi, alleges "Brandy was driving recklessly" when she struck their daughter.

On Dec. 30, Brandy rear-ended 38-year-old Awatef Aboudihaj, a mother of two, on a Los Angeles freeway, causing a chain reaction which ultimately killed the Moroccan immigrant, police say.

At the time of the accident, Aboudihaj was on her way to one of two waitress jobs she held, according to her widow, Hdidou Marouane, 32, an L.A. sales manager.

On Monday, investigators recommended that Brandy be charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence. The L.A. City Attorney is reviewing the case.

If charged and convicted, Brandy, 27, faces up to one year in county jail.

"The accident was a terrible tragedy and Brandy's heart goes out to Awatef Aboudihaj's family," Brandy's rep said in a statement. "But for legal reasons we cannot comment on this lawsuit."

Wasn't she married? I thought you had to be an heir or a dependent to file a wrongful death suit in CA. Are parents considered heirs in CA, even if there is a surviving spouse and/or children? And 50 million in damages?!?

From Dlisted.com:

QUOTE

Black civil rights leaders in Los Angeles think that the CHP is making an example out of Brandy. In case you fell asleep at the wheel and smashed into a Toyota Corolla, Brandy was involved in a fatal car crash last December and the CHP has recommended she be charged with manslaughter.

Najee Ali, leader of Project Islamic HOPE said, “the CHP is unfairly targeting her for prosecution because of her celebrity.” Najee is putting together an e-mail campaign urging other black civil rights leaders to put pressure on the L.A. attorney to not pursue charges against Brandy.

"Unfairly targeting her?" She caused someone's death, for hevvinfreakinsakes! And I might turn the tables on Najee Ali and ask if he's rushing to defend her *because of her celebrity.*

Cutielb99, In CA, the rule for filing wrongful death suits is that the surviving family (not just legal next of kin) is entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages, which are suffered as a result of the loss of a loved one. So, even though the decedent was married, her parents can file suit also. I would guess the crazy $50-million does indeed have to do with Brandy's economic status, but most suits are filed high, with the expectation that they'll be awarded less than the asking amount.

Sued Over Death

ON the heels of the California Highway Patrol saying Brandy drove negligently in a fatal car crash last month, the parents of Aboudihah Awatef, who died in the accident on Dec. 30, filed a $50 million suit against the songstress yesterday. She could also be prosecuted for manslaughter. Meanwhile, Brandy has hired crisis-management specialist Allan Mayer of 42 West to try to salvage her Disney-esque reputation, having decided her regular p.r. man, Courtney Barnes, wasn't up to the task.

Hey, if someone doesn't protect the celebrities from prosecution based on their celebrity...then I ask you....who will?

No justice, no gucci handbags.

I personally think that Brandy's people have done a great job with this. They kept it quiet for almost a month, and when it came out, we all felt sorry for her and the victim's family. I got the impression it was an accident, of which we all have been or will be involved in, hopefully not to this extent.

I know if it happened to me, I don't think anyone would come looking to me for that kind of $$. But that is what insurance is for. And it will all be settled out of court - amicably of course.

I"m not sure I agree...all I heard was that Brandy was screaming that it was all her fault and that she killed someone. Next thing I hear is that the family is suing. IF Brandy was negligent, driving too fast and caused this four car pileup and killed this woman, she deserves what anyone else in that position would get. If they would be prosecuted, then she should be. If they were given a ticket, give her a ticket. She was the one who admitted liability, so I'd place the blame on Brandy.

My heart goes out to Brandy. This could happen to any of us. I heard that the woman's car was STOPPED on the freeway, which makes it nearly impossible to stop going the legal speed limit, and extremely dangerous if you swerve (I've had to do the latter, and it's very frightening). This is just really sad.

If that is true and the woman was stopped on the freeway, there is no case. None of us could come to a complete stop from the speed limit. She has no liability if this is true, even if she hit her. It is not negligent, it is just sad.

She will have to pay for the other car's damages, however. I think the law says that if you rear end someone, you are at fault.

I thought I read that it just wasn't this woman's car stopped on the freeway (as in a breakdown). Traffic had slowed, but Brandy failed to recognize it. That is negligence, pure and simple. This same accident just happened again in LA on a freeway near me and it was the same scenario. Traffic had slowed, a guy in his truck wasn't paying attention, slammed into a row of cars and killed someone. That is more than a simple accident and there should be consequences.

What we need to figure out is what exactly happened. I'm going to look into it and find details and report back.

This is from the report from TMZ from the 1st page of this thread:

It happened at 10:30 AM on December 30, 2006 on the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Brandy was driving her 2007 Land Rover at 65 mph and did not notice that cars in front of her had slowed considerably. We're told Brandy's vehicle struck a 2005 Toyota. The Toyota then hit a 1989 Toyota. The 2005 Toyota then slid sideways and hit the center divider. As the 2005 Toyota came to a halt, it was struck by a 1988 Acura.

Here is a further report from TMZ about it. Looks like the woman on the freeway was not stopped, but all the traffic ahead had slowed and Brandy just didn't bother to slow down. She hit the cars in front of her at about 65 mph. It is going to be interesting to see if the LA County Atty. files charges.

I don't think there is any question that Brandy caused the accident. She rear ended the woman and it's always your fault if you rear end someone, even if they slam on their brakes for no reason. The logic is that you were following too closely.

I think the question is whether or not it was just a terrible accident or if Brandy was truly negligent. She wasn't drunk or on drugs, which is good. I believe I read that she wasn't on a cell phone. She was alone in her car. So did she just turn her head for a second to look at the cute guy in the next car or something and Bam!? How much slower was the rest of the traffic going compared to her 65mph? How far behind the car in front of her was she?

Regardless, Brandy and/or her insurance will pay for the cars/injuries/deaths, of that I'm sure. I don't know yet if I think what she did was criminal.

Kim erases her sex-tape denial

Kim Kardashian has opened up about the existence of her sex tape. But as for selling the video? She simply doesn't need the cash.

Kim Kardashian has changed her tune about the graphic sex tape Gatecrasher exclusively reported on last month.

The model and Paris Hilton pal had repeatedly denied the existence of such a video, made with her ex-boyfriend, R&B singer Ray J.

But on Thursday, she came clean to Sal Masekela of E!'s "Daily 10" - and admitted there is more than one.

"Have there been tapes? Maybe, yes," she confessed. "But are they for sale? No. Not for sale. That's our business."

Multiple sources had told this column that at least one tape exists, and that Kardashian was at least partially involved in attempts to sell it.

But she told me in a written statement: "I'm not poor; I'm not desperate. I would never attempt to sell a tape. It would humiliate me and ruin my family. I have two successful businesses, and I don't need the money."

Although companies ranging from Sugar DVD to Joe Francis'

"Girls Gone Wild" are both rumored to have acquired the tape, it has not been seen by the public. (Ray J is the brother of singer Brandy, and a source says her recent car accident that resulted in a fatality has delayed any work on its release.)

"Sugar DVD are getting so much press and so many Web site hits out of this, it's the best free publicity they could hope for," Kardashian complained.

NYDN


Singer Brandy, who could be facing vehicular manslaughter charges, had a somber 28th birthday in Los Angeles Sunday. "She celebrated her birthday quietly at home with family," says spokeswoman Courtney Barnes.

Patty Jackson's 4-1-1


The children of the woman who was killed in the accidental car crash that Brandy caused are suing the singer. Late last year, Brandy triggered a four car crash that killed a woman, and now the children of that woman have filed a lawsuit claiming Brandy operated her vehicle in a reckless manner that caused the death of their mother.
A monetary amount has not been revealed. An earlier lawsuit asking for $50 million filed by the woman’s parents was thrown out because only next of kin can file a lawsuit like that. Plus, the parents of the woman had not seen their daughter in 11 years since they live in Morocco.

2nd Suit Filed in Brandy's Fatal Crash

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A second wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against actress-singer Brandy in a December freeway crash.

On Jan. 30, a $50 million lawsuit claimed Brandy was driving recklessly when her sport utility vehicle struck the back of a Honda driven by Awatef Aboudihaj, 38. The new lawsuit was filed Feb. 8 in Los Angeles Superior Court on behalf of her parents, Aboudihaj Ahmed and Labridi Zohra, who reside in Morocco.

The suit filed by attorney Paul N. Philips said the entertainer recklessly caused the Dec. 30 crash on the San Diego Freeway that killed Awatef Aboudihaj, 38.

The suits says her two sons, Mrwan Mohamed, 14, and Kareem Mohamed, 10, will be forever harmed by the loss of their mother. Damages will be determined at trial, the lawsuit said.

"As we've said before, the accident was a terrible tragedy. But for legal reasons we cannot comment on this lawsuit," said Allan Mayer, spokesman for Brandy.

The city attorney's office is still deciding whether to charge the singer, whose real name is Brandy Norwood, with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, which was recommended by California Highway Patrol investigators, spokesman Jonathan Diamond said Wednesday.

If charged and convicted, Brandy, 28, faces up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Brandy, who earned a Grammy in 1999, has made five albums. She began her recording career at 14 and has acted for film and television, starring on the sitcom "Moesha" from 1996-2001 and most recently as a judge for NBC's "America's Got Talent."

(Corrects that boys were not injured in the crash, as stated in previous version.)

© 2007 The Associated Press.

QUENTIN DISSES BRANDY FOR REGINA?

According to In Touch Weekly, Brandy is going through some more hard times. Word is, she had been hoping to reconcile with with her ex, basketball player Quentin Richardson. But now it looks like Quentin has fallen for someone else; actress Regina King.

The couple was the talk of Ludacris’ post-Grammy party earlier this month, where they were dancing kind of close in the in VIP area. Quentin has already flown to LA to visit Regina, who filed for divorce from her husband in November.

Damn, Brandy can’t catch a break.

Things Aren't Looking Good For Moesha
Filed under: Brandy



Remember when life was all carefree and happy for Brandy? When she had hit singles, and a hit show? That's over .

A third wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against R&B singer Brandy stemming from a fatal car accident in Los Angeles last year.

Marouane Hdidou, 32, whose wife Awatef Aboudihaj died in the Dec. 30 crash, sought unspecified damages in the lawsuit filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Brandy, 28, was previously sued by the victim's parents, followed by a suit on behalf of her two minor sons.

Police investigators recommended that Brandy be charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, but the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office has yet to file charges.

What's also tragic about this whole incident is that it didn't result in "America's Got Talent" getting canceled. Who watches that bullshit?

Posted by: J. Harvey
http://socialitelife.com/2007/05/04/things..._for_moesha.php

Brandy Car Crash Death Incident Getting Increasingly Complicated
Filed under: Brandy , Lawsuit



So Brandy is getting sued by the other guy from her car accident. And both she and this guy are getting sued by the guy whose wife she killed. And she's counter-suing this other guy! I think she's going to have to do some kind of Moesha reunion show to pay off all these legal bills.

Brandy and a man who was hurt in a deadly freeway crash involving her Range Rover are suing each other. The 20-year-old singer-actress and Mallory Ham of Simi Valley accuse each other of negligence in suits filed last week in Superior Court.

In court papers filed Wednesday, Brandy Norwood contends that Ham caused the Dec. 30 crash on the San Diego Freeway in Sherman Oaks. She also denies allegations made against her in a previous lawsuit, asserts her constitutional right against self-incrimination and requests a jury trial.

Ham's suit, filed Friday, contends that the singer drove recklessly and seeks unspecified damages.

And they're both being sued by the husband of Awatef Aboudihaj, who was killed. And her parents and her two children have separate suits. And so do I! I wasn't there but I'm sure this affected me somehow.

Posted by: J. Harvey
http://socialitelife.com/2007/05/29/brandy...complicated.php

Imdb.com

Brandy Close To Escaping Criminal Charges?

R&B star Brandy could escape criminal charges in relation to a fatal car crash in 2006, because prosecutors have less than a month remaining to legally press charges.

The singer was involved in a multiple car accident that killed mother-of-two Awatef Aboudihaj in Los Angeles on December 30 last year, but unless the L.A. City Attorney's Office finds enough evidence to charge her before the first anniversary of the crash, Brandy -- full name Brandy Rayana Norwood -- will escape prosecution.

Bill Sayed, lawyer for the victim's husband, Marouane Hdidou, insists the authorities must act quickly.

He tells TMZ.com, "There is a death and obviously reckless driving involved, which is enough evidence for an involuntary manslaughter charge. As to why the City Attorney has taken this long? I think we would all like to know. Brandy continues to live life with really no negative results ... doing what Brandy is doing ... as if though nothing has occurred here."

Brandy was driving her new Range Rover northbound on the 405 Freeway in L.A. when traffic in front of her slowed down. She then hit Aboudihaj's car, which veered to the left and was hit by another vehicle before crashing into the center divider. Aboudihaj died in hospital eight hours later from massive internal bleeding.

Not At Fault?



The L.A. City Attorney has until Friday to file vehicular manslaughter charges against Brandy for a fatal car accident she was involved in. TMZ reports that they haven't filed yet, because they have to prove Brandy was negligent and that could be impossible. CHP sources say that the woman who died, Awatef Aboudihaj, actually struck a car in front of her before Brandy even touched her car. Brandy was going 65mph and the sudden stop by Awatef may have caused Brandy to crash into her. Awatef Aboudihaj also had small traces of marijuana in her system at the time of the crash.

Brandy is being sued by the family and husband of Awatef.

Confusing! This is why I always stay like 10 miles behind the car in front of me. People always make fun of my ass for doing this, but you never know when some person is going to slam their damn brakes for whatever reason.

That being said, Brandy needs wig help BAD!

http://www.dlisted.com/

Brandy Crash -- Dead Woman at Fault?



TMZ has learned the hang-up in deciding whether to file vehicular manslaughter charges against Brandy is that Brandy may have been a victim, not a culprit.

A CHP source tells TMZ the woman who died in the car accident involving Brandy actually struck the vehicle in front of her before Brandy made any contact. The law enforcement source says Awatef Aboudihaj, the woman who died, struck the car in front of her -- which was going 65 mph, and then slammed on her brakes. We're told the sudden stop caused Brandy to hit the dead woman's car.

What's more, L.A. County Coroner spokesperson Captain Ed Winter tells TMZ that toxicology reports show Aboudihaj had "slight traces" of marijuana in her system at the time of the crash.

The L.A. City Attorney has until the end of the business day on Friday to decide whether to file criminal charges against Brandy -- that's when the one-year statute of limitations runs out. Sources tell TMZ there is significant division in the City Attorney's office, and a decision still has not been made. The problem for the City Attorney: if they file manslaughter charges, they have to prove Brandy did something negligent -- and we're told that could be difficult if not impossible.

The cynic in me really wonders why it took the CHP 363 days to announce that the dead woman had marijuana in her blood and that maybe, just maybe Brandy was just a final link in a chain reaction crash. The timing of this all seems just a bit too convenient.

Brandy in the Clear

The L.A. City Attorney has decided not to file charges against Brandy over the fatal car accident she was in last year.

The accident occurred one year ago Sunday near the interchange of the 405 and 101 freeways in Los Angeles. Brandy's car struck the vehicle of Awatef Aboudihaj, who died. Authorities say another car then sideswiped Aboudihaj's car. A well-placed source in the California Highway Patrol, however, tells TMZ Aboudihaj actually struck the car in front of her and then slammed on her brakes before Brandy made contact.

We're told the City Attorney's decision came after considerable conflict within the office. It is highly unusual to wait until the last day to pull the trigger.
tmz

Brandy's Lawyer to CHP -- You Did Her Wrong

TMZ

Brandy, Blair Berk Brandy's high-powered attorney, Blair Berk, released the following statement exclusively to TMZ:"We are extremely pleased that after a more thorough and extensive investigation by authorities, the Los Angeles City Attorney has determined that Brandy Norwood should not be charged with any crime whatsoever relating to the accident back in 2006."

She continued, "These past 12 months have posed an extraordinary hardship for Brandy and her family, who have been unfairly forced to live under a cloud of suspicion initially caused by the ill-advised and premature press release sent out by the California Highway Patrol accusing Brandy of wrongdoing before the police investigation was even finished. However, Brandy continues to be mindful that she was so fortunate to be uninjured in this accident and there was a life lost that should be remembered."