POP/ROCK - June 7, 1988

From the “James and/or Adrienne Brown story of the week” file: In one of her latest court appearances--this one in Augusta, Ga., on a Sept. 3 arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs, speeding and criminal trespass, Adrienne Brown asked that charges be dismissed because she has diplomatic immunity. The request, filed by her attorney, was based on the statement, “James is indeed our No. 1 ambassador,” allegedly made two years ago by Rep. D. Douglas Barnard Jr. (D-Ga.) on James Brown Appreciation Day. “The accused’s husband, James Brown, is America’s No. 1 ambassador and as such should have diplomatic immunity and such immunity extends to his wife,” said the request filed in Richmond County court. The attorney, Allen Johnson, told Associated Press that he was working under a court-imposed deadline to file motions in the case and was simply trying to pursue every possible line of defense.