Chris Brown Apologizes For Rihanna Incident, Asks Public For Forgiveness

Updated 7:00 PM CDT, Mon, Jul 20, 2009

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Chris Brown has made a public apology for an incident in February, that sent his then girlfriend, Rihanna, to a hospital.

"Since February, my attorney has advised me not to speak out, even though ever since the incident I wanted to publicly express my deepest regret and accept full responsibility," the singer said in a two-minute clip posted on his official YouTube channel on Monday. "Although I will do some interviews and answer some questions in the future, I felt that it was time that you heard directly from me that I am sorry."

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Brown pleaded guilty last month to one count of felony assault stemming from the February 8 incident, where the singer allegedly beat Rihanna (real name Robyn Fenty), following a pre-Grammy party.

Under the deal Brown and his attorney, Mark Geragos, made with the Los District Attorney's Office, the singer was sentenced to five years probation, enrollment in a domestic violence counseling program and 180 days in a labor program in his home state of Virginia. Final sentencing by a judge will occur on August 5.

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In his YouTube posting on Monday, Brown said he has been examining his own character since the incident to try and figure out why he acted the way he did.

"God has been generous in giving me the ability which has brought me fame and fortune," he said. "I have done a lot of soul searching and over the past several months I have talked with my minister and my mother and I spent a lot of time trying to understand what happened and why."

Brown said he is aware that he let down many of his fans because of the altercation.

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"I have let a lot of people down and I realize that and no one is more disappointed in me than I am," he continued. "As many of you know, I grew up in a home where there was domestic violence and I saw first hand what uncontrolled rage can do."

The "With You" singer said he would strive to ensure such incidents are only a part of his past – not his future.

"I have started and I am continuing to seek help to ensure that what occurred in February can never happen again," he said. "And as I sit here today, I can tell you that I will do everything in my power to make sure that it never happens again — and I promise that.

"What I did was unacceptable – 100 percent," he continued. "I can only ask and pray that you forgive me, please."

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