A week after Britney Spears spoke out in court and condemned her conservatorship, managed by her father James “Jamie” Spears, a judge has denied the singer’s request to have him removed as conservator — for now.
According to court documents filed by Britney Spears’ attorney, Samuel Ingham III Wednesday, obtained by USA TODAY, a judge denied the singer’s request to remove her father as sole conservator. However, Wednesday’s court filings were mainly intended for judge Brenda J. Penny to approve Bessemer Trust as Britney Spears’ co-conservator.
“The conservatee’s request to suspend James P. Spears immediately upon the appointment of Bessemer Trust Company of California as sole conservator of estate is denied without prejudice,” the court documents read.
Britney Spears’ father and Bessemer Trust have control over her estate, while professional conservator Jodi Montgomery has control over her person.
In November, Judge Penny declined to rule on Britney Spears’ legal efforts to regain control over her life and end her 13-year conservatorship controlled by her father.
At the time, the judge said the singer lacked adequate documentation to free herself of the conservatorship, citing “additional evidence by supplemental declaration or additional documentation” was needed.
In a pair of documents filed late Tuesday, Jamie Spears asked the court to investigate her statements last week on the court’s control of her medical treatment and personal life, which the singer called “abusive.”
“I don’t feel like I can live a full life. … I want this conservatorship to end without having to be evaluated,” she added.
Jamie Spears emphasized, according to the documents, that he has had no power over his daughter’s personal affairs for nearly two years.
His filing said the court must investigate “serious allegations regarding forced labor, forced medical treatment and therapy, improper medical care, and limitations on personal rights.”
The pop star addressed the court June 23 for the first known time in more than two years.
“I’m not here to be anyone’s slave,” Britney Spears said while appearing in Los Angeles court remotely via telephone. “I’ve lied and told the whole world I’m OK and I’m happy. It’s a lie. I thought that maybe if I said it enough, I would maybe become happy because I’ve been in denial. I’ve been in shock. I am traumatized … I’m so angry it’s insane. And I’m depressed.”
Then, judge Brenda Penny thanked the singer for her remarks, which she called “courageous,” but made no further comment.
Contributing: Cydney Henderson, Maria Puente; Associated Press
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