LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Latest on a restraining order against a former associate of Britney Spears (all times local):
4:50 p.m.
A hearing on a restraining order against Britney Spears’ former manager has adjourned and the restrictions will remain in place for roughly two more weeks.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny ruled the order against Sam Lutfi to remain in place until June 13, when a hearing will resume on whether the order can be extended for several years.
Lutfi testified Tuesday and Spears’ father Jamie began testimony that will continue at the next hearing.
The courtroom was sealed Tuesday for most of the proceedings after an attorney for the pop singer argued allowing public testimony would be harmful to Spears’ vulnerable emotional state.
Spears’ former manager has been accused of harassing Spears and her family on social media.
Lutfi denies wrongdoing and says extending the order would infringe on his First Amendment rights.
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2:40 p.m.
A Los Angeles courtroom has been cleared of media and other audience members at a hearing on the extension of a restraining order obtained by Britney Spears against a former associate.
Attorneys for Spears and her father argued that media reports of private details from the Tuesday hearing would be harmful to her vulnerable emotional state.
Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny agreed and cleared the courtroom for the testimony of three witnesses, including Spears’ father Jamie, who controls most of her affairs through a court-ordered conservatorship
The hearing was held as the singer seeks an extension of a temporary restraining order against Sam Lutfi, a former confidante who has been in legal battles with the family for years.
Lutfi argued in documents that the order’s restraint of his speech was unconstitutional.
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10 p.m.
A Los Angeles judge will consider whether to extend a temporary restraining order Tuesday that keeps a former associate of Britney Spears away from her and her family.
Sam Lutfi has been ordered to stay at least 200 yards (183 meters) away from Spears, her parents and her two sons, and to refrain from contacting or disparaging them. That order could get a long extension at the Tuesday afternoon hearing.
The family alleges that Lutfi has been harassing them through text messages and social media.
Lutfi’s attorney says the order is a violation of his rights and he intends to fight it.
Lutfi is a onetime confidante of Spears who has said he once had a contract to be her manager. The family has been in legal fights with him for a decade.
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