Earlier today (Aug. 2), R. Kelly appeared in New York City’s courtroom where he pleaded not guilty. The judge decided to deny the 52-year-old singer’s request for bail.
Kelly’s lawyer, Steve Greenberg, informed TMZ of the singer’s plan to plead not guilty at the arraignment. Kelly’s two girlfriends, Azriel Clary and Jocelyn Savage, were in attendance to offer their support. The two ladies flew from Chicago to attend the hearing. Surprisingly, Kelly had a huge amount of support. There were R. Kelly fans posted outside the courthouse with a “Free R. Kelly” t-shirt.
Kelly is facing a five-count federal indictment, which includes racketeering and kidnapping. The five-count indictment is separate from the 13-count indictment he received in Chicago. According to the federal indictment, Kelly manipulated minors to engage in sexual acts on camera. Prosecutors also stated that the purpose was “to promote R. Kelly’s music and the R. Kelly brand and to recruit women and girls to engage in illegal sexual activity with Kelly.”
Yesterday (Aug. 1), we reported that Kelly wanted the judge to reconsider him being held without bond. Kelly also offered to wear an electric monitoring device to ensure that he is not a flight risk. “Mr. Kelly no longer has the money or the entourage he once did to help him in his endeavors,” Kelly’s legal team states.
Furthermore, Kelly’s legal team argued that the entertainer has complied to all of the state’s requirements throughout the years and never missed a court appearance.
“Mr. Kelly presents no risk of flight,” Kelly’s lawyer argues. “He is a lifelong resident of Illinois. Mr. Kelly never missed a single court date, from 2002 to 2008, on his previous case. The court did not consider that Mr. Kelly appeared for each and every day of his trial and was present when the jury’s verdict was read.”