Whitney Houston enters the DeKalb Co. courthouse, Decatur GA, August 2003
ATLANTA -- The tumult of Whitney Houston's personal life in Atlanta occasionally became very public. There were legal briefs, courtroom appearances-- typically, in the wake of trouble that followed her husband Bobby Brown.
When Brown went to court in Georgia, Whitney Houston would sometimes trudge into court too -- the supportive wife in an erratic marriage of pop singers. Her personal demons aside, Whitney Houston's criminal record stayed pretty clean -- at least compared to Brown, who defended himself on traffic and drug and DUI and probation violation charges in Fulton and DeKalb Counties.
Houston took a side door into the courthouse in Decatur at an August 2003 appearance, saying "God bless you" to fans greeting her. Earlier that morning, sheriff's deputies escorted Brown into the building. Brown wore a jail uniform and restraint chains.
In this instance, Brown was in court because he'd been unable to fulfill the probation requirements of a seven year old DUI case -- overlooking small details like attending required counseling sessions, thus dragging out the case for years.
After the hearing, Brown went to back to jail. Houston left the courthouse, amid a mob of attention. She offered words for her husband as reporters followed her out: "I've got your back, baby."
But it was only temporary. The couple separated three years later.