Britney Spears asks judge to free her from conservatorship

By ANDREW DALTON AP Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Britney Spears asked a judge Wednesday to end court conservatorship that has controlled her life and money since 2008.

The dramatic request at a Los Angeles hearing came with her first words in open court in the conservatorship in its 13-year existence.

Judge Brenda Penny now must decide in the coming months whether Spears is competent enough to manage her own affairs, and the burden is on the pop star to prove she can.

Spears' father James Spears oversaw the conservatorship for most of its existence, which was imposed during a tumultuous period in the pop star's life.

By ANDREW DALTON AP Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) — In a highly anticipated hearing, Britney Spears is expected to address the court in the conservatorship that has controlled her money and affairs for 13 years.

If a Los Angeles judge does not make a last-minute decision Wednesday to seal the proceedings, Spears' words on the case will be heard in open court for the first time.  

Fans from the so-called #FreeBritney movement are expected to gather outside the Los Angeles courthouse in larger numbers than usual.

The hearing comes at the request of the 39-year-old pop star, but there has been no indication what she plans to say.