Judge Gives Britney Spears A Court Victory

NY Post 7/15/21

A probate judge will allow Britney Spears to choose her own attorney, the first big change in the pop star's case since she unloaded in court last month, condemning the "abusive" conservatorship that controls her life, reports USAToday. 

On Wednesday, Judge Brenda Penny granted Spears' request to hire Mathew Rosengart, a former federal prosecutor-turned-skilled litigator, to be her lawyer in the singer's ongoing effort to end her 13-year conservatorship, under which she has little control over her finances or important life decisions. 

Spears, who dialed into the hearing, spoke for about 15 minutes and became emotional, saying she wants an "investigation" of the alleged abuse.

She also reiterated that she wants her father, James "Jamie" Spears, out as a co-conservator, and that she refuses to undergo more medical assessments, which she called "stupid psych tests."

"I’m not willing to sit with anybody at this point to be evaluated,” she told the judge. “I want to press charges for abuse. Instead of investigating my capacity, I want an investigation on my dad.”

She also said she wants Jodi Montgomery, the state-appointed conservator of her person, to continue in that role. 

The next hearing in Britney Spears' conservatorship case is scheduled for Sept. 29.

Spears broke down and cried while she spoke. The judge stopped the rapidly-speaking star twice to ask that she speak more slowly to allow the court reporter to keep up. Spears was still crying as she said, “My dad needs to be removed today.

Jamie Spears’ lawyer, Vivian Thoreen, pushed back on a variety of issues, including questioning why Montgomery has been allowed to stay as a conservator after Britney Spears criticized Montgomery at the hearing last month.

Thoreen also challenged other elements of what the singer said, and questioned why she was allowed to speak at length but "no one else has been afforded the opportunity.”

“Many of her characterizations and memories are just incorrect,” Thoreen said. 

At the previous hearing, Britney Spears claimed that she's forced to use an intrauterine device (IUD) and isn't allowed to remove it in order to have more children. On Wednesday, Thoreen said there's no fixed order that precludes her from making informed medical decisions.

“I’m not sure Miss Spears understands she can make medical decisions and have birth control implanted or not,” Thoreen said.