R. Kelly has filed a motion through his attorney Steven Greenberg requesting to be released from the Chicago Metropolitan Correctional Center on bond while he awaits his trial on October 13th, claiming he is at high risk of contracting COVID-19.
Kelly claims that he can not remain at the institution as he is “within the group of people the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has categorized as most-at-risk for contracting COVID-19.”
As Complex reports, Greenberg cites the Bail Reform Act, which allows for the “temporary release” of an inmate if deemed necessary “for preparation of the person’s defense or for another compelling reason.”
Greenberg cites Kelly’s age and “existing health issues” as a reason for him to be released on bail.
“The health risk to Mr. Kelly, because of his age and existing health issues, especially considering the conditions at the MCC, necessitates his release on bail.”
Greenberg claims that the COVID-19 outbreak has made it difficult for Kelly to meet with his legal team, whilst his age and recent surgery renders him at risk of catching the virus.
“No matter what steps they take the sanitation will be substandard, the risk of an internal pandemic at the MCC is great, and if one does get sick jail healthcare is notoriously substandard,” the document reads.
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If Kelly were to be released, he would live at the Roosevelt Collection Lofts apartment complex with girlfriend Joycelyn Savage.
The federal charges Kelly is accused of in Chicago include filming himself engaging in sexual intercourse with underage girls, and paying off potential witnesses at his 2008 trial —where he was acquitted— to convince them to change their story.
Kelly’s allegations of sexual misconduct have been public knowledge for years, however, the case picked up steam this year following the release of the documentary Lifetime documentary, Surviving R. Kelly, which detailed many of the accusations made against the artist. The docuseries delved deep into Kelly’s “sex cult” from his Chicago home, his physical abuse of women and claims of sexual activity with minors. You can read an outline of Kelly’s history of abuse here.
