A judge delayed R. Kelly’s trial for racketeering and sex trafficking in New York on Tuesday, citing a slew of roadblocks resulting from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Page Six reports that Brooklyn Federal Judge Ann Donnelly pushed the start of the singer’s trial back to August 9. Kelly’s case has been postponed three times before this due to the pandemic.
“We are scheduled for an April trial date, but I suspect it’s not going to come as a surprise that that is not a date that is going to work given the current conditions,” Donnelly said.
The judge felt there would be too many hurdles for an April start, including people traveling to New York from out of state who will have to quarantine and be tested, most jurors having to take public transportation to and from the court, and Kelly moving to a Brooklyn lockup that is currently facing a COVID-19 outbreak. Donnelly also noted that court staff is not currently being prioritized to receive the vaccination.
Kelly is also facing a slew of federal charges in Chicago, where he has been incarcerated since his arrest. That trial is scheduled to begin in September.
Kelly has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him and has vehemently denied the allegations against him.
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