R. Kelly Pleads Not Guilty In Chicago Court; Denied Bond

On Tuesday, R. Kelly stood before a judge, dressed in an orange jumpsuit, and pleaded not guilty to a slew of child sex crimes, including seven counts related to child pornography. The charges stemmed from a 13-count indictment, which also included five counts of enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice, in addition to the child porn charges. 

After Kelly entered his plea, Judge Harry D. Leinenweber addressed the singer’s petition for bond and rejected it, as prosecutors highlighted his alleged history of underaged girls, according to Rolling Stone. 

“He is an extreme danger to the community, especially to minor girls,” prosecutors said, calling his alleged inappropriate encounters, most of which were recorded, “sadomasochistic abuse.” “The defendant can entice girls to his own doorstep,” prosecutors added, as they argued against house arrest and release. “He doesn’t have to leave his home to do that.” 

However, in response, Kelly’s attorney, Steve Greenberg argued that “Unlike his most famous song, ‘I Believe I Can Fly,’ Mr. Kelly doesn’t like to fly,” adding that money is tight for the self-proclaimed Pied Piper. “The money’s in concerts, and he doesn’t play concerts these days.” 

“There is no evidence that he’s a risk to minors at all at this point,” Greenberg continued, as he rejected claims that Kelly had tried to influence potential witnesses. “There’s no evidence, your honor, at this point – and there’s no evidence because it hasn’t happened – that since Mr. Kelly has heard these rumors [of criminal charges] swirling around…that he’s done anything to any witness.” 

Despite Greenberg’s claim, Leinenweber denied the request for bond.