Chris Brown in court, courtesy E! Online

Chris Brown made an appearance at LA county court yesterday around 3:30 local time to enter a not guilty plea in the case against him for brutally beating his girlfriend, Rihanna, in February. He was accompanied by his mother and several bodyguards. Looking somber and wearing a double breasted cardigan over a black shirt and tie, Brown plead not guilty to two separate felony counts of assault and making criminal threats.

Brown is due back in court on April 29 for a “preliminary hearing.” Rihanna’s lawyer, Donald Etra, explained to the press gathered outside the courthouse that a preliminary hearing is delayed “to give all of the parties an opportunity to receive all of the reports pertaining to the case” and that the time delay can also “give… defense counsel and district attorney the opportunity to discuss the case and see if a resolution can be achieved without a preliminary hearing and without a trial.”

Essentially Rihanna’s lawyer confirmed that Brown’s lawyers are trying to work out a plea bargain, presumably to ensure that he doesn’t have to go to jail. Brown faces up to four years and eight months maximum, but it’s doubtful he’ll serve even a fraction of that time.

Lawyers for Brown did not speak to the press gathered outside the courthouse, and TMZ reports that this is most likely due to the fact that they’re still working out a deal with prosecutors.

Etra explained to reporters that Brown entered an initial not guilty plea as expected and that this was a “routine matter.”

“Rihanna’s position in this remains the same,” Extra explained, “namely that she will do everything that the law requires her to do… every step of the court proceedings, and it’s not my role to discuss her personal relationships.”

“My client recognizes that it’s not up to her to decide what kind of deal she wants. That’s up to the district attorney to decide…

“If Rihanna’s input is solicited at that time, she will give it. At this point it’s very premature to speculate as to what her position will be.

“She would be pleased if this were over quickly.”

Etra seems to be confirming that Rihanna hopes a deal will be reached in the case and that it doesn’t proceed to trial. That would definitely be an even bigger media circus and she clearly isn’t comfortable with testifying against her maybe-ex boyfriend. Rihanna was last seen in her native Barbados, where she was photographed partying with the Prime Minister of the island nation. She’s hopefully moved on, and maybe her attacker will finally have to face some stiff consequences for his horrific actions. Maybe the judge will make an example out of him. Paris Hilton had to go to jail for over a month for driving on a suspended license after barely blowing the limit on DUI. Surely Brown can see the inside of a jail cell for a while too.

Brown is shown outside of court yesterday, thanks to WENN.com