Embattled R&B singer, Robert Sylvester Kelly better known as R. Kelly, has been infected to COVID-19 in a federal jail in Brooklyn, New York.
Kelly is awaiting sentencing in the federal jail after being convicted on racketeering and sex trafficking charges.
According to Chicago Tribune, the recent diagnosis led a judge to grant him a two-week extension on Tuesday.
The new development extends the deadline the singer has to file appeal paperwork in his federal racketeering case to February 17.
Ann Donnelly, the US district judge presiding over the case, said from February 17, Kelly is to formally begin fighting his September 2021 conviction on the charges that he had sex with underage girls and bribed a state employee to create a fake ID card so he could marry Aaliyah, a 15-year-old singer.
In a filing ahead of the judge’s decision, Jennifer Bonjean, Kelly’s lawyer, wrote that the singer’s COVID diagnosis “interfered with his ability to speak with counsel by telephone” to review his post-trial paperwork.
“It is vitally important that Mr. Kelly meaningfully participates in his post-trial defense,” Bonjean wrote in her letter to the court on Tuesday.
She added;
The (jail) has not indicated when visits will resume which is less than ideal, but undersigned counsel is confident that she can accomplish necessary discussions with Mr. Kelly via upcoming scheduled Zoom visits.
We filed a letter motion seeking an additional 2 weeks to file Mr. Kelly’s post-trial motions. It is imperative that Mr. Kelly be afforded meaningful opportunity to consult with his counsel which has been hampered by the MDC’s visitation policies. The motion was granted.
— Jennifer Bonjean (@jenniferbonjean) February 1, 2022
In a Twitter post on Tuesday, Bonjean had stated that her client was faring “well” following his infection.
She wrote;
Understandably, many people are concerned about Mr. Kelly’s health and well-being (as am I). Mr. Kelly is doing well, but there is no question that MDC’s COVID policies are putting all inmates in harm’s way.
Understandably, many people are concerned about Mr. Kelly’s health and well-being (as am I). Mr. Kelly is doing well, but there is no question that MDC’s COVID policies are putting all inmates in harm’s way.
— Jennifer Bonjean (@jenniferbonjean) February 1, 2022
At Kelly’s trial, jurors heard that he sought the illegal marriage with Aaliyah because he believed she was pregnant.
Kelly faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years if sentenced in May — the maximum being life imprisonment.
