Chris Brown assault case back in court

Lawyers for R&B singer Chris Brown are heading back to court in Washington, but the Grammy award winner will not be there.

Brown’s trial on an assault charge is currently set for April 17.

Today, his lawyers and a government prosecutor will be in court for a motions hearing.

Brown’s lawyers have asked a judge to dismiss the case, saying prosecutors misused the grand jury process to prepare for trial. They also want certain statements the singer made suppressed.

A government prosecutor, meanwhile, is asking the judge to bar Brown from claiming self-defence or introducing evidence of mental health issues.

Brown and his bodyguard were arrested in Washington in October and are accused of punching a man outside a Washington hotel.

The case will be heard by a judge, not a jury.