Earl Gibson III, Getty Images
A memo released Friday by Miami-Dade County State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle concludes there is no evidence that Brown intended to steal the phone in February or that he deleted any photos. One or the other is necessary for him to be charged with robbery or theft.
Prosecutors said that Brown tossed the phone from his limo and that it was picked up by Devon Blanche, head of security for rapper Tyga, who had performed with Brown at the Cameo club that night. According to the memo, Blanche tried to find out if someone had lost the phone, ultimately took it with him to Atlanta during the rapper's tour and said he intended to find its owner.
A felony charge against Brown, 24, might have triggered a violation of his probation for his 2009 assault on singer Rihanna, who was his girlfriend at the time. The two have recently collaborated on a new duet, "Nobody's Business," and have been spotted out together in recent weeks.
Rundle said the investigation's findings would be forwarded to probation officials in Los Angeles for review.
"We are grateful for the decision and the thorough investigation," Brown's attorney Mark Geragos said in an email.
According to the memo, after Brown and Tyga - real name Michael Stevenson - finished their performances, both got into separate limos to head for their hotels. Witnesses told prosecutors about 30 female fans gathered outside Brown's vehicle, at least one of whom reached inside to take a photo. Brown was accompanied by at least two women in the limo.
Stevenson told prosecutors that he saw Brown throw a white cellphone out of the limo. The phone's owner, Christal Spann, said Brown used a derogatory term for women and said "this will not run the website" when he grabbed the phone. Spann began beating on the limo's windows, according to the memo, until someone in a front seat told her the phone had been tossed out. She could not find it, however.
"She used to be a fan of Brown's, but no longer," the memo notes of Spann.
Blanche, the security man, told investigators he thought Brown was upset because "if photographs of himself with two females got out, it might cause him problems with Rihanna."
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
See Photos of Chris Brown's 2012 Performances
Taylor Swift Dominates at 2013 Billboard Music Awards
Tim McGraw's 'Superstar Summer Night' Special to Air May 19
Tim McGraw Stops Atlanta Show to Help Ailing Fan
Jennifer Hudson Performs 'Inseparable' With 'American Idol' Winner Candice Glover
Carrie Underwood 'Goats' Hunter Hayes With Blown Away Tour Prank
Tornadoes Strike Oklahoma
Mario Announces Nicki Minaj Collaboration, 'Somebody Else'
PHOTOS: Tornado Aftermath Leaves Trail Of Destruction
Miguel and Fan Are 'Okay' After Crazy Kick at 2013 Billboard Music Awards
PHOTOS: Tornadoes Wreak Havoc On Central U.S.
Stone Temple Pilots Tap Linkin Park's Chester Bennington as New Singer
Police END Search For Susan Powell
Taylor Swift Admired George Jones' Passion for Performing
Justin Bieber BOOED While Accepting Award
Carrie Underwood Says She's 'Queen of Awkward' in Marie Claire Interview
15 Incredible Cat Photobombs
Oklahoma Senators Face Difficult Options On Disaster Relief
Student Expelled, Charged With Felonies For Same-Sex Relationship
PHOTOS:Eva Longoria's Almost Wardrobe Malfunction At Cannes
PHOTOS: Tornado Devastates Moore, Oklahoma
Guess Who?
PHOTO: LARGEST Python Ever Caught In Florida!
PORK BELLY: OJ Can't Get Enough Beans
Top White House Staffers Were Briefed On IRS Investigation's Conclusions, Didn't Tell Obama
Stefon Marries Anderson Cooper In Final Show
LOOK: Dolphins Make Rare Underwater Find
PHOTOS: Miley Cyrus Decides To Wear Pants To The 2013 Billboard Music Awards
PHOTOS: Stars Shine On The 2013 Billboard Music Awards Red Carpet
'Undercover Angel' Singer Dies At 72
OUCH: Singer Jumps, Lands On Fan's Neck
Radio Host Makes Shocking Claim About Shooting Hillary Clinton
All The Pics: Jessica Ennis Marries Andy Hill
Powerball Jackpot Winning Ticket Purchased In Florida
