Attorney Recommends Manslaughter Charge for Brandy

The Los Angeles City Attorney is recommending R&B star Brandy is charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter for her part in a December freeway pile-up, which left one woman dead. The singer, full name Brandy Norwood, reportedly failed to see traffic slowing in front of her while driving along the 405 freeway on December 30, and collided with a Toyota in front of her. The collision set off a chain of accidents which left Awatef Aboudihaj - the driver of the car Brandy hit, dead. 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, handed the matter over to prosecutors last week.

Source: ImDb News Page
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Now I know it isn't good at all, but she is a good influence for her fans. She isn't out all night partying like Britney. She isn't showing off her body like a tramp. She wasn't drinking or drugging AT all when this happened. I don't know..I just feel bad for her. I feel like she is one of the last, classy r&b singers left, and maybe I'm offbase cus I haven't followed her career much, but as far as I remeber...I don't know..just my thoughts..

Maybe she'll get off easy, like Vince Neil of Motley Crue.

Yeah, i feel sorry for her. Even though it was an accident, it`s stays with you. AND all the publicity doesn`t make it any easier...

This is about the third or fourth thread on this subject. Sure, I feel bad enough for Brandy but it's interesting that there have been very few people expressing sorrow for the family of the person she ran over. I feel a lot worse for them.

I feel bad for her. It was an accident right?

She should have been locked up years ago for choosing someone like Shitney Houston to be her idol.

vainandy said:

You really don`t like her.... What`s not to love?

.

her accident situation is one of the worst ever.

you're mind just goes unawaringly absent for a 2nd and the next you know is your car's piling up against other 10 cars ahead of you. Scary shit
[Edited 1/30/07 14:36pm]

Because the only thing funky she's ever had is what's between her legs.

RipHer2Shreds said:

I was just watching CourtTV and they mentioned there was no evidence of Brandy on her cell phone, nor any evidence of alcohol or drugs. They also mentioned she hit the back of the Honda at almost full speed (65mph). After viewing the damage of the Honda, that woman had no chance!!! That car was totaled!! After seeing that picture I feel more sympathy for the victim's family! What was Brandy doing??? When a wall of cars are slowing down, why would Brandy keep going? I know accidents happen..but this was clearly her fault and she should not have been driving that fast in traffic!!! Yes, Brandy is an exemplary artist that circumvented becoming a sex kitten and all that....but she is bloodguilty!!!!!

AQUABOOGIE said:

So do I.

I'd like to know WTF Brandy was doing. How do you NOT notice the cars in front of you slowing down?????

I do feel sorry for her because she IS human, but my prayers go

to the family of the driver who lost her life.

Let's face, she'll get off with a slap on the wrist like all celebrities.

uPtoWnNY said:

Exactly...That was my question!! She was driving way too fast for traffic!
What was she doing?? Reaching down for some fries or a drink?? Daydreaming?
What ever she was doing took a life that was unnecessary and I could see why
she could be charged.
[Edited 1/30/07 15:14pm]

I feel bad for all involved. As a passenger or a driver this could happen to almost anyone. It also may depend on how quickly the cars ahead of her decelerated. She could have zoned out, been blinded by a glare, looked in her rearview mirror for whatever reason and for a second too long.

Driving at high speeds is stressful because you have to constantly be aware of everything and one mistake, no matter how unintentional, can cost lives.

Meanwhile, other young celebs are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and have been pulled over, in some cases, multiple times and thank God they haven't killed anyone but it goes to show you never know what turn your life may take from moment to moment.

ETA: The part about not slowing down at all is pretty bad tho. To not even hit the brakes at the last minute... she had to be looking elsewhere. Usually you can see brake lights if you have decent peripheral vision.
[Edited 1/30/07 15:23pm]

JackieBlue said:

For years, I've been saying that the penaltes need to be stiffened for the sh!t you mentioned. When you're high/drunk and get behind the wheel, that car becomes a two-ton bullet. I've seen whole families wiped out because of some moron. Don't ever make me a judge. I'll give these dumbasses HARD time, and revoke their driver's license for life.

uPtoWnNY said:

I agree with you and I have absolutely no tolerance for people who drive under even a little bit of influence. Ill never forget seeing these party girls being interviewed on Tyra and how flippant they were about drinking and then driving themselves home. When Tyra asked, why don't you call a cab instead of driving, one of the girls responded that it costs too much money. But somehow they have enough money to go out on a regular basis and pay for over-priced drinks. They just didn't get it.

The thing is this should not be turned into a "keep brandy out of jail" movement, with talk shows like Oprah and Tyra doing shows on it. The point is someone died and she caused a death and has to live with that and its going to be worse than any find or prison sentence. But the victims need to be respected, so I hope i dont see any celebs rushing to Brandy's side to question a judgement because that is disrespected the victim. Its ok to feel bad for Brandy, because this could have been anyone of us, but i still feel there is more to this story than we know yet.

It was an accident. A terrible one.
It looks bad when people defend her because a woman lost her life because of Brandy's negligence. But it was an accident. People get rearended everyday. I have been working in auto accident claims for nearly 10 years and I've seen some crazy shit. One thing I haven't ever seen is someone go to jail for causing an accident (even fatal ones) where they were not drunk or high. I am sure Brandy will be sued and pay thru the nose for this (rightfully so) but if she goes to jail, that is some straight bullshit.

JasonStar said:

I feel bad for Brandy & the dead victim.

RipHer2Shreds said:

I feel bad for BOTH sides.

TonyVanDam said:

i feel bad for both sides too. i think the reason people feel for brandy is becuase she's pretty clean cut as an artist, plus this accident could happen to anyone on the road.

does anyone know why it took a month for the story to come out?
[Edited 1/30/07 17:05pm]

This is a sad situation all around. I know she's got to be feeling just awful right now. I can't imagine what it would feel like to know I was responsible for a death, and remember that for the rest of my life. I also feel terrible for the victim's family. One minute, they're alive and well, and one minute, they're gone.

I love Brandy she's so sweet...hope she doesn't go to jail.

It sounds like an honest accident and no matter what your opinion on Brandy as a personality and performer (I happen to like but not love her) you have to put yourself in her shoes and realize what a nightmare that would be. She is mother, too. This is awful!

Nope, I do not feel sorry for Brandy or any other person that harms or kills another person because they were speeding. And of course, because she is rich and a celebrity, she will get no jail time.

Stymie said:

you seriously can't feel sorry for someone who was in an honest accident? god forbid what if it happened to you or someone you know?

dancerella said:

It will never happen to me because I do not speed AND I drive safely and do not follow cars at an unsafe distance. Honest accident implies it could not be avoided.

If it had been you or a loved one Brandy hit, would you still have sympathy for her?
[Edited 1/30/07 18:05pm]

Stymie said:

All accidents could have been avoided. In my line of work, I have taken statements from folks who have killed entire families because of one moment of carelessness. It's terribly sad but definitely not criminal.

alwayslate said:

Two years ago, a 16 year old kid ran in front of my car and I hit him so I beg to differ that all accidents can be avoided...well, other than if he hadn't ran in front of my car in the first place.

I would love to see the bulk of the sympathy on this thread for the victim because my gut tells me, if it were the other way around, some would be talking about the asshole that killed Brandy.

Stymie said:

that's my point. the accident could have been avoided if the kid hadn't darted out into the street. He didn't stand there intentionally to be hit but his carelessness caused the accident. ACCIDENT. I feel terrible for this poor woman's child who will now have to grow up without a mom but would people be calling out for Brandy's blood if the woman had lived? or been only slightly injured?