Brown charged, released; denies hurting his wife

AIKEN, S.C. —  James Brown was released from jail Thursday on a domestic violence charge and was told not to contact his wife, whom he’s accused of pushing to the floor. Brown, 70, was arrested Wednesday at the couple’s Beech Island home, and denied the charge at a hearing.

“The main thing is I would never hurt my wife and beat up on her like that,” Brown said. “I love her very much.”

Investigators say Brown pushed Tomi Rae Brown, 33, to the floor during an argument. She had scratches and bruises and was taken to a hospital, police said. If convicted, Brown faces a maximum penalty of a $500 fine and 30 days in jail.

Brown’s attorney, Jim Huff, said the charges won’t affect the pardon the singer received in May for a 1988 drug and assault conviction, for which he spent 2 1/2 years in jail, and a second drug-related offense in 1998.