R. Kelly is telling you he is not guilty of the 13 federal charges — including child pornography and obstruction of justice — he’s been slapped with.
The disgraced R&B star was denied bond after a court hearing in Chicago on Tuesday, for which he showed up to shackled at the ankles and wearing an orange jumpsuit, according to TMZ.
As we reported, the Grammy winner was arrested on two new federal indictments last week; one in Illinois and the other in New York. Prosecutors argued against Kelly’s release at Tuesday’s hearing, saying he’s a danger to the community who could “entice girls to his own doorstep” if given the opportunity.
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Prosecutors also claimed the threat of Kelly obstructing justice is still ongoing, alleging that he’s made large hush-money payments to silence the alleged victims and members of their families. They said Kelly has a “unique ability to influence and intimidate witnesses and victims, and that continues to this day.”
That reportedly may even include a suicide pact.
The 52-year-old’s lawyer, Steve Greenberg, reportedly defended his client by saying that he’s not a flight risk because he had already surrendered his passport and “has no money” to travel.
As for claims made by the prosecution — who allegedly obtained over 20 videos of Kelly allegedly engaging in sex acts with minors — that the singer is still a threat to minors to this day, Greenburg argued that all but one of the allegations against his client dates back to the ‘90s, and that “there’s no evidence that he’s a risk to minors at all at this point.”
Um… because all his previous victims have grown up? That’s not how predators work…
Greenberg also denied there’s any evidence of witness tampering.
However, Judge Harry D. Leinenweber sided with prosecutors, saying the child porn charge alone comes with “a presumption of detention.” Kelly was ordered to be held in jail without bond, where he’ll remain as he awaits a trial in Chicago.
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Two people who were very disappointed in the judge’s ruling were Joycelyn Savage and Azriel Clary, Kelly’s ever-supportive girlfriends and alleged sex slaves.
The women took off after the hearing and skipped the press conference, but will be speaking out to the media following the court’s decision with their attorney, Gloria Schmidt.
Kelly, meanwhile, will be taken by U.S. marshals to face the New York indictment in Brooklyn. The crooner is also facing a series of sex-related charges in his hometown of Chicago — to which he also pled not guilty — but this is the first time Kelly was charged with federal crimes.
What do U think about the latest development, Perezcious readers? Is it finally curtains for Kelly?
[Image via CBS News]
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