The disgraced singer R.
Kelly’s attorneys have asked the courts to release Kelly from prison, claiming that the lockdowns imposed on prisons have rendered it impossible for them to properly prepare for trial for nearly half a year.
Kelly’s legal team argued that they have not been able to work with the singer since the strict lockdown measures for inmates were imposed on March. While other forms of communication are allowed, in-person visits have been stopped to spread the virus from spreading.
The defense claimed that this severely restricts Kelly’s right to a fair trial. They argued that because Kelly can neither read or write, he essentially can’t prepare for his own trial without speaking in person with the lawyers. One described Kelly as being “cut” from the process.
Since he was taken under federal custody in July 2019, his team has already tried 5 times to have the R&B singer released. Including Friday’s sixth attempt, four cases were made since the outbreak of Covid-19. The reasons ranged from legal defense to health issues.
Kelly has been indicted with a whole range of crimes from 20 years of various sexual violence to child pornography across at least four different states. Kelly and his team is pleading not guilty for all the charges placed against him.
While Kelly’s lawyers argued that a situation in which their client can effectively only communicate with them via a phone call is unlawful, prosecutors have opposed the release. They argued that Kelly will be a threat to society, and that he may try to tamper with evidences or witnesses.
Moreover, the New York prosecutors worry that should Kelly be released and sent back to his place in Illinois, there is a chance that they may not be able to track his behavior should he tamper with the electronic tracking device. They argued that these risks are simply too big to ignore.
While the aforementioned reasons that the lawyers mentioned may be of actual concern, it is important to note that Kelly was said to have been attacked by a fellow inmate just a week ago. It is said that Kelly was attacked on August 26th, although details are unknown.
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Replaced!