James Brown faces new assault charges; says, 'I never touched' wife

"I never touched her and I didn't shove her to the floor," James Brown said after he posted a $279 cash bond at the Aiken County (SC) jail following his release on a domestic violence charge, alleging that he shoved his wife Adrienne to the floor during an argument at their Beech Island home.

Aiken, SC Sheriff's spokesman Tim Hoffman said that his office responded to a call from Mrs. Brown, who was at their home alone.

Hoffman said that Mrs. Brown told deputies that during a scuffle, her husband of 10 years shoved her to the floor, where she struck a chair, cutting her lip.

The sheriff said criminal domestic violence is a misdemeanor punishable by 30 days in prison and a $200 fine.

Brown, who had filed for legal separation from his wife, told JET that his lawyer will file for a divorce.

"I wish her luck and I hope she has a prosperous life--some other place. I have nothing against her, but I've lost too much in my home and I've missed too much," Brown said of his wife and business associate, with whom he has had periods of stormy relations (JET, April 9).

Saying that she is no longer sharing marital life with him at their Beech Island, SC, home, Brown allowed: "I don't feel safe there unless she straightens herself out."

The Godfather of Soul said that he won't have his holiday spirits dampened by domestic problems. Instead, he confided:

"I'm getting single and now I've started mingling."