Judge Denied the Request of R Kelly to Leave the Prison Over Coronavirus Fears

Robert Sylvester Kelly, a former shooting guard basketball player from Illinois is popularly known as “R Kelly.” He is also an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and actor. Kelly is known for his songs: ” I Believe I Can Fly, If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time, and lots more.”

The 53-year old man had sexual allegations which started in 2002 when he was indicted on 13 counts of child pornography but was acquitted of all charges in 2008.

 On July 11, 2019, Kelly was arrested on federal charges alleging sex crimes and obstruction of justice after he was indicted on ten counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

The singer is currently awaiting his trial at the Metropolitan Correctional Centre in Chicago, where an outbreak of COVID-19 has occurred.

In figures provided by the Bureau of Prisons on Wednesday, there are 500 positive-testing inmates, 298 positive-testing staff members, and 17 deaths. As of Monday, 23 inmates at MCC have tested positive for COVID-19. Kelly’s legal team described the center as a ‘petri dish’ and asked him to be removed for his safety.

Judge Ann Donnelly said that while she acknowledged the virus had spread to the facility, Kelly’s motion for release on bond did not present enough evidence that he was likely to contract the deadly virus.

Kelly’s lawyer had told the judge he was in a vulnerable position after an inmate on his floor was hospitalized with coronavirus.

The lawyer also insisted Kelly was very likely to return as he had turned up to previous court hearings and owes nearly $2million to the Internal Revenue Service. However, the appeal was denied.

It’s not the first time Kelly has attempted to be granted early release from jail.

The singer made another request last month – again over fears of catching coronavirus – but in legal documents obtained, a judge ruled the risk was too high to let him go.

The judge said, Kelly is currently in custody because of the risks that he will flee or attempt to obstruct, threaten or intimidate prospective witnesses. The defendant has not explained how those risks have changed.

Due to coronavirus restrictions, Kelly is not able to meet with his legal team face to face, and most only communicates via phone and email.

The Grammy Award winner, who denies the charges, also faces several charges in Illinois, Minnesota, and New York involving sexual assault and racketeering.