While awaiting trial for sex crimes in Chicago, one of R. Kelly’s fellow inmates allegedly attacked him in his sleep. The singer’s attorney is seeking an early release.
Kelly has been allegedly beaten in his sleep by an inmate armed with a pen at the Metropolitan Correctional Center. Kelly’s lawyer, Steven Greenberg, is seeking his immediate release. The famous singer is awaiting trial for numerous sex crimes, but the trial date cannot be set due to the pandemic. Greenberg says that his client is obviously unsafe in the general population of the prison.
In a motion filed Monday by Greenberg, he says, “only in a Third World nation could somebody be held indefinitely, without the possibility of going to trial. It is un-American. It is illegal. Nowhere does the law authorize indefinite detention.”
Greenberg recounts the events, saying that an inmate was able to get into Kelly’s cell. Once inside, he started stomping on Kelly’s head. The inmate was holding an ink pen, which he was planning to use to stab Kelly. Others quickly grabbed the man before he could do so.
“This is an inmate that never should have been anywhere near Mr. Kelly,” Greenberg writes. “An individual who is charged with the most violent of crimes, and one who plainly has no respect for the rules.”
Is there a Target on Kelly’s Back?
It seems as though Kelly is the target of anger inside the prison walls due to constant protests outside. The protests call for Kelly’s release and sending the prison into lockdown. This is an inconvenience for the other inmates.
The 53-year-old singer is currently awaiting trial for racketeering, sexual misconduct, and other charges in three jurisdictions. He continues to deny all charges.
If Granted an Early Release
Greenberg urge a judges for Kelly’s release to a home near the courthouse with his girlfriend. He would have to submit to electronic monitoring and stay on house arrest until the trial could proceed.
“Simply put, despite the present allegations, there indeed are conditions of release that can be readily fashioned for Mr. Kelly, an individual who has no previous convictions, that will eliminate nearly any alleged risk of flight or any purported danger to the community,” Greenberg argued.
This isn’t the first time Kelly has requested an early release, however. In April, his request was denied after Greenberg argued over COVID-19 concerns in the prisons. Greenberg says the circumstances have since changed.
[H/T Fox News]
