Attorneys for jailed singer R. Kelly are saying their client was attacked in his jail cell by another inmate. Now they’re pushing for Kelly’s release.
Kelly’s attorney, Doug Anton, said the legal team was alerted to the alleged attack by the US Attorney’s Office. Officials said that Kelly was on his bed in his cell earlier this week when an inmate entered and started to punch him, CNN reported.
Kelly is being held at Chicago’s Metropolitan Correction Center, WLS reported.
Guards broke up the alleged assault and Kelly was not hurt in the incident, CNN reported.
X-rays were taken and did not reveal fractures.
Another attorney representing Kelly, Steve Greenberg, said on Twitter the legal team has received different reports about potential injuries to their client. They have not been directly told of any injuries by either Kelly or jail officials.
A Bureau of Prisons spokesperson told CNN they cannot comment on whether Kelly was involved in a fight, citing privacy concerns.
Another attorney for Kelly was scheduled to argue for the singer’s release before his federal trial scheduled in Brooklyn, New York, which is planned to start at the end of September. He is facing charges there including racketeering and violation of the Mann Act.
In Illinois, Kelly has been charged federally with child pornography among other alleged crimes, CNN reported.
Kelly denies the charges, WLS reported.
Attorneys have fought to have their client released from prison because of the coronavirus, WLS reported. That request has been denied.