R. Kelly isn't leaving prison anytime soon, despite his lawyers pleading for his temporary release.
According to Radar Online, the disgraced musician is considered a flight risk by the New York prosecutors.
The government is asking the judge presiding on R. Kelly's case to dismiss his request to be released after his attorney filed a lengthy motion complaining about unfair treatment at the Metropolitan Detention Center in New York.
After being recently transferred to New York, he claimed that the conditions facilities are "horrendous."
The "Ignition" hitmaker also complains about not seeing his lawyers in person until he tests negative for COVID.
In the letter submitted by his lawyers, they claim that FaceTime calls are also often interrupted. Kelly's inability to read created an impossible situation for him to prepare for his trial.
They believe that without proper communication, it would be difficult to build his defense.
With that, his lawyer said, "Mr. Kelly in the Special Housing Unity ("SHU"), the lack of meaningful communications with Mr. Kelly while he is in prison and Mr. Kelly's inability to assist in his defense, the only assurance that Mr. Kelly will be prepared for his trial in August is if he is granted immediate pre-trial release."
But this wasn't the first time the R&B singer has requested to be released from jail temporarily. He had already asked numerous times, but the government's same response - R. Kelly is considered a flight risk due to his financial resources, who has a net worth of less than $2 million.
Additionally, because of the serious allegations of sexually abusing minors, the judge believes it wouldn't be "proper" to release him until the trial.
Another factor considered in denying Kelly's request includes his "potential obstruction in prior trial," as he reportedly tried to threaten witnesses in the past.
The NY prosecutors also said that he is given a lot of time with his lawyers for their meetings, despite their initial claims.
The trial is set for Aug. 9 in Federal Court, and he has been behind bars since July 2019 after being arrested over sex crimes allegations.
R. Kelly is currently facing bribery, forced labor, kidnapping, sexual exploitation of a child, and racketeering charges.
Currently, Robert Sylvester Kelly is staying in the Special Housing Unit (SHU) inside the jail.
He lives in 6 feet by 9 feet cell. But apparently, being in the SHU will make inmates lose their minds.
R. Kelly's lawyers claim inmates usually experience "hallucinations, memory deficiencies, paranoia," and many more when they stay in the SHU.
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