Blogged by: @_cierra.jones
Yet again, R&B singer R. Kelly is pleading with the Chicago court system to be released from prison, amid the current COVID-19 pandemic. This comes 10 days after his previous request to be release was denied.
Prosecutors believe the 53-year-old singer is a flight risk because of financial means. Kelly disputed that argument by acknowledging that although he has received $200,000 in royalties, part of that money is divided between his team. He also mentions that he is currently in the hole for almost $2 million with the IRS, seemingly making it impossible to be a flight risk.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
In a letter submitted to Chicago court (April 19), Kelly attorney Michael Leonard said:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
“The monies the Government claims Mr. Kelly has access to are not the kind of funds that would present an opportunity to flee, let alone live a life covertly in exile.”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
He continued:
“It similarly ignores the fact that the current environment of restricted traveling commercial activities would make it that much more difficult than before, and albeit impossible for a celebrity like Mr. Kelly, to flee from prosecution.”
This letter was given to the courts two days after the government requested the singer-songwriter be deemed a flight risk and a threat to the community. They believe that it is best if the singer is kept behind bars pending trial.
Countering Kelly’s request, prosecutors pointed on that the music producer does not have any “underlying medical conditions,” but instead has connections to people outside of prison, who continue his work while attempting to scare his accusers.
In opposition to those remarks, Kelly’s attorney made the court aware of the singer’s lack of ability to properly prepare for trial, due to confinement. He notes Kelly’s “limited ability to read” and possibly contaminated prison phones as his reasonings.
If released, Leonard says that the singer will reside with his girlfriend, Joycelyn Savage, in an apartment complex, in Chicago.
As of now, the courts have yet to rule on R. Kelly’s new request for release.
