R. Kelly, ‘danger to the community,’ must stay in jail despite coronavirus, judge says

R. Kelly will remain in jail after seeking his release due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to media reports.

U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly denied Kelly’s motion, claiming the singer is a flight risk, according to Variety. Kelly faces several dozen charges, including sexual assault and racketeering, and awaits trial.

The Grammy-winning singer “poses a danger to the community, especially prospective witnesses,” Donnelly wrote in her order, according to Hollywood Reporter.

Kelly’s attorney said there was little hand sanitizer and soap at his Chicago federal correctional center, which houses 700 inmates, according to court documents. His attorney stated Kelly should be released because of his health risk, citing his age and existing health issues, court documents show.

“Requiring people to reside in a custodial jail setting is tantamount to making them drink poison,” his attorney wrote.

Three staff members at the Metropolitan Correctional Center have tested positive for coronavirus, but no inmates have, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

The attorney sought to have Kelly, 53, confined at his Chicago apartment. “This is not a request to open the doors and allow all Inmates out, this Is a specific request concerning a specific inmate,” his attorney stated.

“The courts have long recognized that there Is no greater necessity than keeping a defendant alive, no matter the charge,” last month’s court filing says.

Kelly’s trial is scheduled for Oct. 13, according to the Associated Press.

Last week, rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine was released from a New York jail. His lawyer argued that because he has asthma, he is more susceptible to the virus, according to The New York Times.

This story was originally published April 7, 2020 at 12:52 PM.