Britney's Alleged Trespasser Pleads Not Guilty

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

The woman who allegedly donned military fatigues and snooped around Britney Spears' home has just pled not guilty to charges of trespassing and peeping or prowling.

26-year-old Miranda Tozier-Robbins was allegedly caught peeping through the windows of Britney's Calabasas home back in April, and had to be physically removed from the property.

The judge in an L.A. court today remained confident a deal could be worked out between Tozier-Robbins and the D.A., but a pretrial date was still set for July 17.

Source: TMZ

Peeping Britney Fan Told to Stay Away

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

Since security guards and giant fences haven't done the trick, Britney Spears has gotten a temporary restraining order against the woman who was popped peeping around her home.

Miranda Tozier-Robbins was ordered by a judge today to stay 100 yards away from Brit and her home, according to E!. She will also be arraigned next week on two misdemeanor charges.

Toxier-Robbins was busted back on April 16 for sneaking into Britney's private Calabasas community and peering into the windows of her home.

Source: TMZ

Britney Fires Back at Lutfi's Lawsuit

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

Britney Spears' conservators -- since she can't file anything herself -- have filed a response to Sam Lutfi's lawsuit against her.

In a four-page document filed last week, Brit's camp shoots down Lutfi's claims one by one. Lutfi's biggest beef is that he claims he is owed some serious cash for being Britney's manager.

But in the docs, Brit's handlers claim the oral contract between them is void because Sam "made false promises" to Britney in order to get her to agree to a deal.

Jamie Spears, Brit's dad, has already filed a response to Sam's claims of assault.

Source: TMZ

Britney Spears Crew Members Arrested After South Side Scuffle

The following italicized article is from www.wpxi.com:

Two men were arrested Wednesday night after scuffling with police officers along East Carson Street in Pittsburgh's South Side.

According to the criminal complaint, an officer said he saw Rockey Dickey, of California, punching another man in the face. The officer said he tried to stop the fight, which is when Dickey turned and took a swing at him, knocking off his hat.

Another officer jumped in to subdue Dickey, but Alex Montes, also from California, stepped in and placed that officer in a headlock, the criminal complaint said.

Montes' mother confirmed to Channel 11 that both her son and Dickey are members of pop star Britney Spears' road crew.

Spears is set to play Mellon Arena Friday night.

Police said Dickey would not cooperate when officers tried to handcuff him. A Taser was used to subdue him as he was kicking his legs and flailing his arms, police said.

Police said Montes fled the scene but was arrested a short time later.

The victim that was being beaten, Matthew Boyle, was taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital for injuries to his nose and forehead.

Dickey and Montes are charged with criminal conspiracy, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness. Dickey is also charged with simple assault and resisting arrest.

Montes' mother told Channel 11 that this is his first tour with Spears and said he does not usually get into trouble.

Source: WPXI

Britney Agrees to Permanent Conservatorship, Puts Regaining Custody in Doubt

The following italicized article is from www.eonline.com:

Britney Spears may be comebacking like a madwoman, but the court thinks she can still use some guidance on that road to redemption.

The popster's conservatorship arrangement with father Jamie Spears was made permanent today, with no objection coming from the 26-year-old "Womanizer" warbler. If the terms of the deal remain the same, her dad will continue to oversee her estate, finances, legal affairs and medical care along with attorney Andrew Wallet.

"The court finds the proposed permanent conservatorship is necessary and appropriate," said Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Reva Goetz, who has been presiding over the Spears saga for the past year, at a Tuesday status hearing.

And while Britney was no fan of the arrangement back when it was imposed Feb. 1, her attorney informed the court today that his client had requested he not argue with Goetz's ruling, despite the fact that it's very unlikely Spears will be able to regain custody of her two sons while her dad is in charge.

"It certainly makes it more difficult to gain custody of the children because if one court found that she is not capable of taking care of herself and affairs than how is the other court going to find her able to take care of the affairs of two babies," certified family law specialist Alexandra Leichter tells E! News.

The conservatorship seems to have been made permanent because "the condition that apparently caused temporary conservatorship did not change," she said.

Britney memorably lost control of her affairs following her hospitalization Jan. 31 on a 5150 hold, meaning she was considered a danger to herself or others. The involuntary R&R came after months of erratic, worrisome behavior on the popster's part.

"The burden now shifts to Britney Spears or her conservator [Spears' father] to prove that she is perfectly capable, rather than the conservator having to prove that she is not capable," says Leichter.

"If the court makes it a permanent order, she would have to come into court and show that she no longer needs it."

Not that permanent means forever.

"The permanent conservatorship doesn't have a set date to expire," court public information spokeswoman Vania Stuelp tells E! News.

"In order to make it go away, someone has to petition the court. It was supposed to expire on Dec. 31. It's not anymore."

In the meantime, an evaluation detailing Spears' psychological fortitude has been completed and will remain sealed, Goetz said. Another status hearing has been set for Dec. 22.

But while this may all be as-expected news for Britney's camp, it doesn't bode well for the lawsuit against her filed by former manager Johnny Wright.

Saying that Spears' "capacity issue remains open and has not been resolved one way or another," Goetz ruled earlier today that Wright's attorneys are not allowed to depose Spears, whom he says owes thousands in unpaid commissions, until the conservatorship ends.

"We think it's reasonable," Wright's lawyer, Clay Townsend, who had been hoping to have Brit sit for a deposition Nov. 17, tells E! News. "Being on the cover of OK magazine, signing a big contract with AEG to go on a world tour, going on Good Morning America—gosh, it seems fairly reasonable to try to do a deposition in late November. It's not like she is in the hospital and we are dying to go down and take her deposition."

Instead, they will have to speak with ruler-of-the-roost Jamie Spears next month.

"She seemed to be doing so well, that we thought it was not unreasonable," Townsend added. "My client Johnny Wright still has great affection for Britney. He worked with Britney for a long time in the early days. So that last thing that we would want to do was to harass her."

Goetz said that she will revisit the deposition issue Feb. 2.

Source: E! Online

Judge Postpones Decision On Britney Spears Conservatorship

The following italicized article is from www.accesshollywood.com:

A Los Angeles Judge today put off further discussion about when Britney Spears might resume her life, free of a court-ordered conservatorship.

The decision came as a result of a wrinkle that appeared in the case on Tuesday, revealing how Spears’ complex legal matters remain unresolved when she is not allowed to testify about them.

The latest development in the singer’s conservatorship saga came as a result of a business relationship between Spears and entertainment executive Johnny Wright. Attorneys for Wright were in court based on an ongoing Florida lawsuit with her former manager Wright regarding what appears to be a contract dispute.

In order for the suit to go forward, they wanted Spears to sit for a deposition.

Wright’s lead attorney, arguing via speakerphone, said “We have seen appearances where she seems to be doing so good.”

But Spears’ father Jamie, who is one of the executors of her estate, filed an ex-parte motion stating Britney is not ready to undergo a deposition.

Judge Reva Goetz ruled in favor of a protective order for Spears, saying, “The capacity issue remains open.”

A new date of February 2, 2009 has been set to re-visit the deposition. Britney remains under the conservatorship until at least the end of this year.

Source: Access Hollywood

Britney's Trial Victory a 'Turnaround' for Singer

The following italicized article is from www.people.com:

Britney Spears's victory in her misdemeanor driving-without-a-license trial this week "closes a chapter on her past troubles," her lawyer Michael Flanagan tells PEOPLE.

"It marks a turnaround for her. This case was a thorn in her side for more than a year, a reminder of the bad old days," he said. "She's thrilled the court system, for once, worked in her favor."

The trial – which heard only one day of witness testimony – failed to convince a jury that Spears broke the law by driving without a California license, stemming from a 2007 fender-bender. It ended Tuesday in a hung jury, 10-2 in favor of her innocence, and a dismissal of the case.

Said jury foreman Gary Moy, 45, "There were lots of questions about lack of evidence, whether Spears had a Louisiana license or not, what the definition of residency was. We felt we were never given all the facts in the case."

Spears's father, Jamie, provided key testimony that his daughter had a Louisiana license on the day in question, and that she considers that state her permanent home.

Father's Guidance

Following her two forced hospitalizations last January, the singer remains under legal control of her father until a Dec. 31 hearing.

"Her father is doing a sensational job for her," Flanagan says. "And with his guidance, she's really gotten her life together."

Her exoneration tops a growing list of personal victories: Spears has gained significant visitation with her sons after losing all custody earlier this year, won three VMA awards in September, and has a new album, Circus, due out on Dec. 22 (her 27th birthday).

Source: People

Spears Was 'Too Fragile' For Court

The following italicized article is from www.contactmusic.com:

BRITNEY SPEARS was too "fragile" to appear in front of jurors deciding her fate in her recent driving license trial, according to her defence lawyer.

The Toxic star was charged with failure to produce a valid California license following a car crash in the state last year (07), but the case was declared a mistrial on Tuesday (21Oct08) after a jury failed to reach a unanimous decision.

The judge was forced to dismiss any criminal charges against the singer as jurors deadlocked - with two members voting guilty, and 10 not guilty.But despite the relative victory, Spears' lawyer Michael Flanagan has revealed how the star pleaded with him to excuse her from making a court appearance - and insists she wasn't "strong" enough to cope with the pressure.

Flanagan recalls how Spears told him: "I can't face all those people. I don't want to deal with all the people."

He adds, "She is not very strong. She is still very fragile. I had to explain things to her."

The comments come as the star embarks on a campaign to revive her career and put her January (08) public meltdown behind her.

Spears' new album, Circus, is due for release in December (08) and a world tour scheduled for March (09).

Source: Contact Music

Britney Spears Gets Mistrial, Goes Dancing

The following italicized article is from www.celebrity-gossip.net:

Sporting a “The One I Love” t-shirt with jeans, Britney Spears was spotted making her way over to a dance studio in Hollywood on Tuesday (October 21).

The sighting comes just after a mistrial was declared in the “Gimme More” singer’s misdemeanor case for driving without a California license, as the jury was deadlocked 10-2 in favor of the singer’s innocence, reports tell.

“The jury is hopelessly deadlocked, and I declare this a mistrial,” Judge James A. Steele told the courtroom attendees.

Gloating in his successful representation, Brit’s lawyer, Michael Flanagan, told press, “Today’s outcome shows my client did nothing wrong. I consider this a victory. Britney was vindicated in that she took on a system that attempted to make an example of her celebrity.”

Source: Celebrity Gossip

Britney Officially Not a Criminal!

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

The judge in the trial of the century has dismissed the criminal charge against Ms. Britney Spears.

A mistrial was declared after the jury was hopelessly deadlocked at 10-2, in favor of not guilty. Britney was on trial for driving without a valid California license.

The judge just dismissed the case outright. The prosecutor said in court he was "troubled by the outside impressions that were brought into the courtroom."

Source: TMZ

Judge Declares Mistrial In Britney Spears Driver’s License Case

The following italicized article is from www.accesshollywood.com:

A Los Angeles court judge declared a mistrial in the Britney Spears driver’s license case Tuesday after jurors were unable to come to a unanimous decision, following nearly two days of deliberations.

“This is a victory for Ms. Spears,” the pop star’s lawyer, Michael Flanagan, told Access Hollywood shortly after the mistrial was called.

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Spears’ trial on the charge of driving without a valid license, began last Wednesday at a San Fernando Valley, California courthouse. Jurors began their deliberations after receiving the case on Friday afternoon.

The case stems from an incident in August 2007, when Spears hit a parked car, while parking her Mercedes-Benz. She left — without leaving a note.

The owner of the other vehicle later filed a police report and Spears was charged a month later with misdemeanor hit-and-run and driving without a valid California license. The hit-and-run charges were dismissed in October 2007 after Spears paid an undisclosed sum to the owner.

Testimony lasted for about a day in Spears’ trial, though the pop star was not required to and did not appear at the courthouse during the case.

Twelve jurors began deliberating on Friday afternoon, but were sent home for the weekend by the judge after failing to reach a verdict in just over two hours. They deliberated again on Monday, and reportedly were deadlocked 10-2. It was not immediately clear which way the jurors voted.

Prosecutors had argued Spears was required to obtain a valid California driver’s license. Her attorney, however, argued that the pop star had a license at the time of the incident, from where her primary residence was – Louisiana. She has since obtained a California license.

Spears’ attorney, Michael Flanagan, had previously rejected a plea deal, which would have resulted in a $150 fine and 12 months probation for the singer.

Source: Access Hollywood

Mistrial Declared in Britney Spears Case

The following italicized article is from www.people.com:

A mistrial was declared Tuesday in Britney Spears's misdemeanor trial for driving without a license. The jury was deadlocked 10-2 in favor of the singer's innocence, the foreman said in open court.

"The jury is hopelessly deadlocked, and I declare this a mistrial," stated Judge James A. Steele.

The jury had deliberated for three days in the trial, which involved only one day of witness testimony.

Spears, 26, had been accused of driving without a California license, stemming from an August 2007 fender-bender.

The singer's father, Jamie Spears, testified his daughter had a Louisiana license on the day in question, and that she considers Louisiana her permanent residence and plans to return.

"Today's outcome shows my client did nothing wrong. I consider this a victory," said Britney's attorney, Michael Flanagan. "Britney was vindicated in that she took on a system that attempted to make an example of her celebrity."

Prosecutor Michael Amerian had no comment for the time being, pending a 1:30 p.m. hearing Tuesday, at which Judge Steele could possibly dismiss the case. If not, the prosecutor could announce his intent to retry Spears – an unlikely move, given the jury's votes.

Celebrity Proved an Asset

Said jury foreman Gary Moy, 45, a communications analyst (and one of two jurors who voted guilty): "We felt deadlocked from the beginning, there were lots of questions about lack of evidence, whether Spears had a Louisiana license or not, what the definition of residency was. We felt we were never given all the facts in the case."

He added, "Some jurors felt their time was wasted."

Moy also noted that he believed Spears's celebrity worked in her favor, saying that people have a "natural propensity to identify with celebrities, and I feel some of the jurors inserted their personal feelings" into their decision-making.

Source: People

Britney Spears -- Mistrial!

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

The trial of the century is finally ovah!

The jury could not reach a verdict and the judge declared the whole thing a mistrial. The jury vote came back 10 not guilty, two guilty. That wasn't a waste of time at all.

Britney was popped for driving without a license last year -- and for reasons that defy explanation, it made it all the way to trial.

Jurors spent yesterday deadlocked 10-2 but were ordered to continue deliberating. She faced a maximum of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted of the misdemeanor.

Spears was a no-show the entire trial.

Prosecutors could ask for another trial. That would be a good use of taxpayer's money.

Source: TMZ

Jurors In Britney Spears Driver’s License Case Ordered To Return For Deliberations Tuesday

The following italicized article is from www.accesshollywood.com:

Jurors deciding Britney Spears’ fate in her trial on a charge of driving without a valid license were ordered to return for further deliberations on Tuesday after being unable to reach a verdict Monday evening.

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Spears’ trial on the charge began last Wednesday at a San Fernando Valley, California courthouse. Jurors began their deliberations after receiving the case on Friday afternoon.

The case stems from an incident in August 2007, when Spears hit a parked car, while parking her Mercedes-Benz. She left — without leaving a note.

The owner of the other vehicle later filed a police report and Spears was charged a month later with misdemeanor hit-and-run and driving without a valid California license. The hit-and-run charges were dismissed in October 2007 after Spears paid an undisclosed sum to the owner.

Testimony lasted for about a day in Spears’ trial, though the pop star was not required to and did not appear at the courthouse during the case.

Twelve jurors began deliberating on Friday afternoon, but were sent home for the weekend by the judge after failing to reach a verdict in just over two hours.

They continued deliberations again on Monday morning, but sent questions about the case to the judge, including whether Spears was being charged with not having a California license or any license at all.

Prosecutors had argued Spears was required to obtain a valid California driver’s license. Her attorney, however, argued that the pop star had a license at the time of the incident, from where her primary residence was – Louisiana. She has since obtained a California license.

Spears’ attorney, Michael Flanagan, had previously rejected a plea deal, which would have resulted in a $150 fine and 12 months probation for the singer.

Source: Access Hollywood

Monday's Final Britney Court Update!

The following italicized article is from www.17online.com:

Looks like we'll have to wait for a decision until tomorrow, y'all!

The jury is dismissed and heading home now. Nothing has been decided... yet. We'll find out what happens at 9 a.m. tomorrow when the court reconvenes, so stay tuned!

Think they'll rule in Brit's favor or not?

Source: X17

Jamie Spears' Twang Too Thick for Jurors

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

Britney Spears' father hit the stand last week to help his little boo boo fight the System -- but his Southern drawl may have been a bit too 'billy for the jury to understand.

Jamie Spears' testimony -- riddled with country slang-style answers like "I have no ideer" -- is now being read back to the deadlocked jury by someone else.

Hearing the testimony from another mouth could play a significant role because -- according to our spy -- most people in the courtroom looked as though they had "no ideeer" what the hell Jamie was talkin' about the first time around.

Whatever it takes to git 'er done.

UPDATE: The jury wasn't able to make a decision today -- and has been dismissed. Day 5 of taxpayer-funded Britneygate will resume tomorrow at 9AM sharp.

Source: TMZ

Britney Jurors Hopelessly Divided

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

The jury in the trial of the century is deadlocked.

Jurors deciding whether Britney Spears broke the law by driving without a California license are split 10-2. We don't know who's on what side.

The judge has sent them back for 20 minutes, even though jurors said they were hopelessly deadlocked.

Stay tuned ...

Source: TMZ

Britney Jury Deadlocked; Judge Says Keep Deliberating

The following italicized article is from www.accesshollywood.com:

Jurors in Britney Spears’ driving case say they can’t reach an unanimous verdict. A judge ordered the panel to resume deliberations.

The jury deliberated less than two hours Monday at a San Fernando Valley courthouse. They posed two questions, including one that sought to clarify what Spears was charged with.

Shortly after being read more instructions, jurors indicated they were deadlocked.

The judge ordered the panel to give him an update before lunchtime.

The eight women and four men are sifting through roughly a day’s worth of testimony and arguments in the case, which was filed last year after the pop star hit a parked car and left the scene.

Spears hasn’t appeared in court and didn’t testify during the trial.

The jury deliberated for about two hours Friday.

Source: Access Hollywood

Britney's Jury: DEADLOCKED!

The following italicized article is from www.x17online.com:

This is getting complicated, y'all!

Our X17 reporter inside the courtroom at Britney's trial just informed us that the jury has returned and given a hand-written note to the judge. The judge then addressed the jury, saying:

"I understand that you cannot come to a unanimous decision."

WHOA! So now what?

The judge then asked the jury to continue to deliberate, suggesting they "have different people lead the conversation" and act out a "reversal of role-play" in order to decide something.

At 11:55 a.m., before a lunch break, the jury will return with an update...

Stay tuned!

UPDATE! It's noon and the court has gone out to lunch.

Meanwhile, our girl Brit just picked up her kids at school and they're on their way home right now... We'll bring you more deets as soon as we get 'em!

Think they'll reach a decision by then?

Source: X17

Britney's Back On The Rails

The following italicized article is from www.dailymail.co.uk:

Britney Spears looked every inch the doting mother as she collect her sons Sean and Jayden for a weekend visit.

The 26-year-old singer, who has managed to turn her life around after a very public breakdown, appeared happy and healthy in a pink top and jeans as she balanced her youngest boy on her hip.

She was accompanied by the man who has been credited with nursing her back to full health - her father Jamie Spears.

The scenes are a sharp contrast to earlier this year, when a wild-eyed Britney lost custody of Sean Preston, 3, and two-year-old Jayden James to her ex-husband Kevin Federline.

But since that time the singer's life has turned around for the better.

This week saw a return to form as her new song Womanizer topped the digital download chart in the US.

It debuted with downloads of 285,800 — the best first week for a female artist on that chart since it began in 2003.

The previous record holder was Mariah Carey's Touch My Body which entered the digital songs chart with just 200 fewer units back in April.

Womanizer also hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, which aggregates digital sales with airplay.

Yesterday her father Jamie told told jurors that Britney was planning to move back to Louisiana - her home town.

The singer is currently on trial for allegedly driving without a valid license.

Jamie Spears, 56, claimed that - although she lived there at the moment- California was not his daughter's permanent residence and she was only in the state for the sake of her sons.

'Her home is Louisiana', he told the court in his southern drawl.

Asked when she would be returning to the Deep South, he said: 'There's plans right now.'

'We're here with her kids. We have visitation rights. We have to stay to augment those rights.'

He told the jurors they planned to move back to Louisiana 'once we can travel with the kids and spend time there'

She faces up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine if she is convicted of driving without a valid license in August last year.

Source: Daily Mail