James Brown won’t contest domestic violence charge

Columbia, S.C.– Entertainer James Brown told prosecutors in a letter received Monday that he would forgo a jury trial and not contest a domestic violence charge because he wanted to keep his family matters private.

The 71-year-old Godfather of Soul was arrested in January and accused of pushing his wife, Tommie Rae Hynie, to the floor and threatening to kill her.

Prosecutor Anthony Odom said Monday that Brown had pleaded guilty to the charge. However, no plea was entered by Brown.

Brown initially said he would fight the charge but instead forfeited his $1,087 bond, which will cover a fine for the offense, according to Odom.

Reality-show contestant makes own ‘Big Brother’ statement

Sydney, Australia — Primetime entertainment turned into political protest in Australia when a contestant evicted from hit reality television show “Big Brother” staged a silent sit-in against the detention of asylum seekers.

After being voted off the show Sunday night — or “evicted” as they call it on the program — 24-year-old Merlin Luck was whisked to a nearby television studio for a live interview with host Gretel Killeen.

But instead of the usual gushing question-and-answer session, Luck sat silently, his mouth taped shut, holding a poster made from black tape stuck to paper that read “Free th refugees.” (The letter “e” from the word “the” apparently fell off somewhere between the “Big Brother” house and the studio.)

There have been protests for years in Australia against the conservative government’s policy of locking up asylum seekers caught trying to sneak into the country, but rarely has one been so high profile.

Glen Campbell’s sentencing delayed for performance

Phoenix — Country music singer Glen Campbell, who pleaded guilty last month to extreme drunken driving and leaving the scene of an accident, had his sentence delayed so he could perform Sunday at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville, Tenn.

Campbell is scheduled to be sentenced today to 10 days in jail, according to his plea agreement. He had been scheduled to appear in court Monday.

He’ll be eligible for work furlough after 48 hours and is expected to serve 75 hours of community service under the deal.

A charge of aggravated assault was dropped.

Campbell was arrested in November near his Phoenix home after leaving the scene of a minor traffic accident.