Prosecutors told a federal judge on Tuesday that R. Kelly’s prison sentence was acquitted for suicide, days after the disgraced singer claimed special protective treatment was a form of punishment.
After he was sentenced last week to 30 years in prison for sexually abusing young women, federal authorities detained the singer for his own safety while he underwent a psychological evaluation. Kelly’s lawyers were quick to say it wasn’t necessary and was “for punitive purposes only”.
But in a new filing on Tuesday, prosecutors now say the dispute is moot because Kelly has already been voluntarily removed from special status.
“After a clinical evaluation, plaintiff Robert Sylvester Kelly, also known as “R. “Kelly was removed from suicide watch on the morning of July 5, 2022,” the government attorneys wrote. “Since the perpetrator has already been removed from suicide watch, there is nothing more the court can do for him.
After decades of sexual harassment allegations, Kelly was convicted in September of nine counts of racketeering and sex trafficking related to allegations the singer orchestrated a long-running scheme to recruit and abuse underage women and girls.
Although there is still a long appeal ahead, Kelly was sentenced June 29 to 30 years in prison. The singer’s lawyers argued he should get 10 years or less because he was abused as a child, but Judge Anne Donnelly said he needed to dissuade other “strong people” who believe he is “above the law”.
“There are so many examples in this trial of indifference to human suffering, of flagrant cruelty, I cannot count them all,” the judge said at the hearing. “I think it’s safe to say that even the most experienced investigator will not forget the grim evidence of the horrors his victims suffered.”
Kelly watched as he committed suicide after sentencing. That prompted his attorney, Jennifer Bongin, to file a civil suit on Friday saying the status was unfair and unnecessary.
“Nothing occurred in the sentencing that came as a surprise to Mr Kelly,” Bonjean wrote. “While suicide surveillance conditions may be appropriate for people who are actually at risk of harming themselves, they are cruel and unconstitutional under the Eighth Amendment for people who are not suicidal.”
Bonjen did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.
Kelly’s second trial in Chicago federal court is scheduled to begin on August 15, where prosecutors will try him on charges of possession of child pornography and obstruction of justice. If convicted of these charges, he could face more jail time than the 30 years he already served in New York.
Bonjean is also contesting the conviction in New York and will soon begin a battle in a federal appeals court to overturn the conviction.
This story first appeared on billboard.com
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
