Rihanna to Testify in Chris Brown Case
VELEZ-MITCHELL: In the "Spotlight" tonight, it is official. Rihanna will appear in court in the Chris Brown beating case. The pop princess got served with a subpoena and will likely take the stand against former boyfriend, pop star Chris Brown, at his preliminary hearing on June 22. Brown faces two charges stemming from the February 8 brutal beating of then girlfriend Rihanna. The graphic police photo of Rihanna after the savage attacks that shock waved around the world. Brown`s attorney hoped the controversy over who leaked the photo would get the hearing postponed while the leak was investigated. But yesterday, a California appeals court shot down that defense request. In the meantime, Chris Brown doesn`t seem too worried at all. He`s been seen playing ball with Shaquille O`Neal. As for Rihanna, she`s been out partying with a new beau. I guess she`s moving on, as well. Joining me now, Ken Baker, executive news editor for E! Ken, so many developments on so many fronts. What do you got? What`s the latest?</s>KEN BAKER, EXECUTIVE NEWS EDITOR, E!: Well, we know this. We know that Rihanna will testify, but her attorney has always said all along that she will testify, that when she`s called she will do what the court asks. But the question is not that. The question is what will she testify to? Will she testify to what she apparently told the police, that he savagely beat her? Or will she change her story? And I think that`s the big question.</s>VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yes, but Ken, with the photo out there, showing her very badly pummeled face, with the police report which details this long and extensive beating that wasn`t just a momentary snap, but it went on and on, how can she really have credibility minimizing this and changing the story and making it seem less than it was, allegedly?</s>BAKER: Well, she wouldn`t. And the minute that she starts to tell a story in court that is inconsistent with what she told the police, really, is going to damage her and damage her story. But here`s the point here, is that something really interesting. I`ve been down to some of these court hearings, these preliminary hearings. And at every hearing, pretty much, her attorney, Rihanna`s attorney, Donald Etra, has been side by side with Mark Geragos, who`s representing Chris Brown, as if they`re in cahoots and they`re representing the same client. Now, that makes it -- obviously, it raises the question that we all wonder, is that is she basically going to be trying to tell a story that is very pro-Chris Brown and very sensitive to him to try to help this guy get off? And I think that`s a big question, and we`re going to find out on June 22. She will be in the same courtroom with Chris Brown, and it`s going to be very interesting.</s>VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yes, now Ken, that`s a preliminary hearing. And often these big witnesses who testify, testify in the actual hearing. Are we sure she`s going to -- I remember I got a subpoena once in the Michael Jackson case. I was terrified. And then at the end, they didn`t call me, and I got all worked up for nothing. I mean, is there a possibility that there could be some kind of last-minute plea deal? Or this won`t be the big moment?</s>BAKER: I remember when you were called, and you didn`t look terrified to me.</s>VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, inside I was.</s>BAKER: I`m sure. No, but, I think that what we`re expecting, what we do know is going to happen is that she`s compelled to be there, and if she is called, it`s going to be fascinating. Because what`s interesting is that the first few weeks after this alleged attack on her, it was -- it seemed as if she was getting back together with Chris Brown and that somehow, you know, she was going to try to help him make this all go away. But right now they have no relationship. We`re told they aren`t talking, they aren`t in contact with each other, and she has moved on, and so has he. He now has another girlfriend. So I think the loyalties that may have been there at the start may not be there now.</s>VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, it`s going to be fascinating. We`re going to be on top of it. Ken Baker, always a delight to speak to you. And we`ll talk to you soon. Is the four-month search for Haleigh Cummings grinding to a halt? I will speak to investigative journalists who`s dug up some shocking new leads. You won`t believe this twist, next.