The disgraced 'I Believe I Can Fly' hitmaker, who was convicted of sex trafficking in September 2021, was supposed to file an appeal by Thursday, February 3.
- Feb 2, 2022
AceShowbiz - Testing positive for COVID-19 wasn't all bad for R. Kelly, who has been detained in a Brooklyn federal jail. Because of his diagnosis, the disgraced "I Believe I Can Fly" hitmaker was granted a two-week extension to file an appeal in his federal racketeering case.
On Tuesday, February 1, Brooklyn Federal Court Judge Ann Donnelly ruled that Kelly now has until February 17 to overturn his September 2021 conviction, according to Rolling Stone. The crooner was supposed to submit the paperwork by Thursday.
Prior to the ruling, Kelly's new lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, sent a letter to the judge. "Although undersigned counsel has been working diligently to complete Mr. Kelly's post-trial motions, several issues have arisen that demand a short extension," it first read.
"First, the MDC indefinitely suspended all jail matters over a month ago, preventing undersigned counsel from meeting with Mr Kelly to review the proposed pleadings," the message added. "To complicate matters, Mr Kelly was advised he had contracted Covid, which interfered with his ability to speak with counsel by telephone."
"It is vitally important that Mr. Kelly meaningfully participate in his post-trial defense," Bonjean, who successfully represented Bill Cosby in appealing his sexual assault conviction, further wrote in the motion.
On September 27, Kelly was convicted on nine counts including racketeering, sexual exploitation of a child, kidnapping, bribery, sex trafficking and a violation of the Mann Act following a high-profiled trial. The judge ordered that the singer remain in custody pending sentencing, which was set for May 4 this year. He faces 10 years to life in prison.
In another case, Kelly is set to make an appearance in an August court hearing. The new Chicago trial will focus on charges brought by Illinois federal prosecutors suggesting Kelly obtained child pornography and obstructed justice. He was acquitted of child pornography charges at a 2008 trial in Chicago.
