Today (July 16), R. Kelly appeared in court for his bond hearing. The 52-year-old pleaded not guilty and was denied bond.
According to a new report from TMZ, prosecutors argued against Kelly’s release. They believe that Kelly is an extreme danger to the community, especially to minor girls. Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel Krull told Judge Harry that the risk is ongoing and heightened by Kelly’s fame and power. Krull also explained that Kelly has the ability to intimidate witnesses.
Steve Greenberg, Kelly’s attorney, argued that his client can be trusted not to flee due to lack of money.
“How could he flee? He has no money,” Greenberg said in an attempt to defend his client. “There’s no evidence that he’s a risk to minors at all at this point.” Greenberg also explained that Kelly might be in danger if left behind bars. “The man’s entitled to be held in a humane situation,” he said. “Mr. Kelly is a difficult person to have [at the facility] because of other prisoners … because of his notoriety.”
Last week, the entertainer was arrested in Chicago. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois confirmed that Kelly had been indicted on 13 counts of child pornography, enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity and obstruction of justice.
Kelly’s alleged girlfriends, Jocelyn Savage and Azriel Clary, appeared in court today to show support for the musician. More recently, Savage and Clary explained that they have been staying at Kelly’s place for years. Although Savage and Clary have been referred to as Kelly’s “sex slaves,” the two have stated that they are free to come and go as they wish.
According to The Chicago Times, Kelly faces a maximum prison sentence of 195 years in Chicago and a minimum of 10 years in New York.