Judge: R Kelly must remain locked up amid Coronavirus crisis

A federal judge in New York on Tuesday denied R&B singer R. Kelly’s request for release from jail in Chicago because he was concerned he could contract coronavirus while behind bars.

“ defendant is currently in custody because of risks that he will flee or attempt to obstruct, threaten or intimidate prospective witnesses,” U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly of Brooklyn wrote in her denial. “ defendant has t explained how those risks have changed.”

53-year-old Kelly has been in custody in Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown Chicago since he was indicted on federal child porgraphy, obstruction of justice and racketeering charges.

Three staff members at federal lockup have tested positive for virus, but inmates have been reported with infections. Cases have been reported at Cook County Jail in Chicago and or jails and prisons around country. Kelly’s attorneys filed a motion in late March arguing that people in such facilities are at particular risk of contracting virus.

Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn said Chicago lockup and or federal facilities have taken steps to prevent virus from spreing. Furr, y wrote that a “generalized risk” that an inmate could contract virus doesn’t justify ir release.

Kelly has denied ever abusing anyone and has pleed t guilty to all charges against him. He faces several dozen counts of state and federal sexual misconduct charges in Illiis, Minnesota and New York, from sexual assault to heing a racketeering scheme aimed at supplying Kelly with girls.