DNA test for child in James Brown case
AIKEN, S.C. (AP) - April 25, 2008 Judge Jack Early said Friday the DNA test on James Brown II
should be completed within the next 30 days. Trustees handling the
singer's estate questioned the claims of Tomi Rae Hynie that her
son is Brown's son, attorneys representing Hynie and the child
said.
"Clearly, James Brown has held up this child to be his son,"
said Peter Shahid, a court-appointed attorney for James Brown II,
adding that the child has received Social Security and insurance
benefits since the soul singer's death. "We have writings that he
has signed indicating that this is his son. He talks lovingly of
his child. So all indications are this is the son of James Brown."
Hynie's attorney Robert Rosen said his client has never objected
to a paternity test.
"She's said that she was in favor and would do the test,
provided that the other children also took the test," Rosen said.
"She didn't feel like her son should be singled out."
A motion to test Brown's adult children was not heard in court
Friday. An attorney for Brown's adult children said he had no
comment on the judge's ruling.
The decision to test the boy is the latest in the long-running
fight over Brown's estate. Brown died in Atlanta on Christmas Day
2006, throwing into turmoil the future of his estate and trust. The
total value of his estate is still unclear.