Brown estate to be auctioned

AIKEN --- Attorneys settling James Brown's estate said Wednesday that they are close to finalizing a deal to auction off many of the late soul singer's belongings.

A deal with Christie's auction house could be completed within two to three weeks, according to Adele Pope and Robert Buchanan, attorneys appointed by the court to oversee the singer's estate.

Ms. Pope said in Aiken County Court on Wednesday that auction workers will inventory and appraise items in the singer's Beech Island home once a contract is finalized. However, she would not elaborate on what type items would be sold.

"It's a wonderful way to present a positive image of Mr. Brown," she said during the court hearing, which was originally scheduled to address matters related to two charitable trusts to which the singer bequeathed the bulk of his estate.

However, consideration of those matters was postponed to Feb. 7 after former trustees Buddy Dallas and Alford Bradley switched attorneys. They hired Myrtle Beach lawyer Wayne Byrd on Tuesday.

The two longtime advisers to Mr. Brown unsuccessfully argued for Judge Jack Early to recuse himself last week, and they're trying to retract their resignations, saying their improperly pressured to quit.

Mr. Dallas will also have to defend himself against allegations related to the auction.

Ms. Pope told Judge Early on Wednesday that one of three auction houses they were considering was ruled out after the company's president made negative comments about the legal fees being charged in the case .

She said Darren Julien of Julien's Auctions told her he gave that interview at the request of Mr. Dallas.

"I felt his speaking to the newspaper was very damaging," Ms. Pope said, and his comments "poisoned the well."

Judge Early sternly warned Mr. Dallas that he's to have nothing to do with estate matters and that as of Wednesday he was "not to interfere with any further administration of this estate."

Mr. Dallas replied that he had "not sought to do so."

After the hearing, Mr. Dallas declined to comment and said, "I'm not about to upset this judge."

Not everything will be auctioned off. Ms. Pope said the singer's heirs and his disputed fourth wife, who is challenging the will, have been asked to submit a list of items they wish not to be sold.

Ms. Pope said that she and Mr. Buchanan will have to determine whether those items are household items or personal effects. The singer's will bequeathed those belongings to six named children.

"We expect to honor all reasonable requests," Ms. Pope said.

Reach Sandi Martin at (803) 648-1395, ext. 111, or sandi.martin@augustachronicle.com.