Antonio Perez – Pool via Getty ImagesR. Kelly‘s New York trial was tentatively postponed until September 29.
Brooklyn’s U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly made the ruling on Thursday during a socially distanced telephone conference hearing. The decision to move the previously scheduled date of July 7 was with the understanding that it was no longer plausible as the world grapples with COVID-19.
The 53-year-old is facing a plethora of sexual abuse allegations in three different states — New York, Illinois, and Minnesota. The charges include aggravated criminal sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation, child pornography production, kidnapping, forced labor, racketeering, and obstruction of justice. He pleaded not guilty to all charges in 2019.
Despite the judge setting a new date, R. Kelly’s attorney, Douglas Anton, doesn’t believe that it is realistic as it won’t give the defense enough time to prepare.
“It’s impossible that that date is going to happen,” Anton told The Post, according to Page Six.
Also on Thursday, the “Bump and Grind” singer’s lawyers asked for him to be released from Chicago’s Metropolitan Detention Center where he is being held due to the fact that there are confirmed cases of coronavirus at the facility.
In early April, his attempt to be released due to coronavirus concerns was denied as he was unable to prove that he would not be a flight risk. Though, it should be noted that at the time of this initial motion there were no cases of the virus reported.
The judge has yet to make a decision on the new motion.
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