Rihanna Refusing to Cooperate with Cops?

The "Disturbia" singer was spotted hiding out with close friends in Punta Mita, where she soaked up the sun in a bikini while escaping the controversy surrounding her since she was allegedly abused at the hands of her R&B beau, Chris Brown.

Brown has not been spotted in public since the altercation, but will face a judge when he is formally charged on March 5. Some reports claim the case against Chris is in jeopardy, and Rihanna -- who was initially believed to be cooperating with the LAPD -- has since backed out of helping the police.

Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Trent Copeland -- who is not representing Brown -- tells "Extra" that he believes prosecutors want to be confidant before charging Brown with a crime. "I think what it suggests is that they really want to explore every possible aspect of this case. They want to make sure that the case is prosecuted correctly, because it's been investigated correctly."

Copeland says the "Forever" singer's apology, and reported trips to anger management, are a good first step. "He's acknowledging that this was, in part, his fault and in part that anger had something to do with it... and he's acknowledging that he really wants to try to straighten these things out."