R-Kelly pleads for Jail Release,Judge denies

Request made by popular singer, R.Kelly to be released from jail due to fear of contracting Coronavirus was denied by a federal judge on Tuesday,April 6th.

The 53 year old who pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, obstruction of justice, racketeering and child pornography feared he is at risk of contracting CoronaVirus due to his age and recent hernia surgery.

Kelly’s attorney,Anton filed request on March 26 to release Kelly from Chicago’s Metropolitan Correctional Center, where he is currently held, to live with girlfriend, Joycelyn Savage in her loft.

The presiding judge, Ann Donnelly gave reasons for denying Kelly’s request. On her ruling, she wrote;

While I am sympathetic to the defendant’s understandable anxiety about COVID-19, he has not established compelling reasons warranting his release. The defendant 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

Though three staff members of the correctional centre tested positive for the virus,none of the inmates has tested positive. Kelly’s trial is  set to begin on July 7th but would be likely postponed due to the pandemic