(Via Twitter)

Singer Chris Brown was released from the clutches of the D.C. legal system this evening after his felony assault charge was reduced to a misdemeanor.

According to media reports (from basically every media outlet), Brown did not enter a plea, while his bodyguard Christopher Hollosy pleaded not guilty. Brown and Hollosy are accused of punching a person outside the W Hotel early Sunday. If convicted, Brown faces up to 180 days in prison. He is due back in D.C. Superior Court on November 25.

“Christopher Brown committed no crime,” his attorney Danny Onorato said after the hearing, according to CNN. “We understand that his security acted to protect Mr. Brown and his property, as he is authorized to do under D.C. law. We are confident that Mr. Brown will be exonerated of any wrongdoing.”

Also important: Brown’s prosecutor is named Nicholas Cannon. No, not that one.

Brown’s hearing was set to begin today at 2 p.m., but did not get underway until after 5 p.m. There was a reported courthouse confrontation between officials and members of Brown’s family and entourage, including Trey Songz. From WUSA9:

. We’re told that at least six members of Chris Brown’s family were initially not able to enter the courtroom. Members of Chris Brown’s entourage argued loudly with police officers after they were ordered back into the hall of the court house.

Singer Trey Songz, who performed at Howard University on Saturday, also appeared outside the court, and according to WUSA 9’s Bruce Leshan, yelled at U.S. Marshals to let him inside the courtroom. Extra U.S. Marshals then entered the hallway.

The judge asked for a bigger courtroom for the overflow crowd and Chris Brown’s lawyer intervened with the marshals to get the family members in the courtroom.

Outside the D.C. Superior Court, supporters of Brown, including people from WPGC’s The Pablo Show, gathered before the hearing. One person held a sing that said, “Jesus already forgave Chris Brown.” A fan told the Washington Post “He’s too cute to be in DC Jail.”

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