R. Kelly nears OK for new legal team for upcoming trial
A judge has signaled that jailed R&B singer R. Kelly will likely get to keep his new defense team for a sex-trafficking trial
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jailed R&B singer R. Kelly will likely get to keep a new lawyer in his federal sex-trafficking case despite questions about the attorney’s texts and other communications with one of Kelly’s ex-girlfriends.
Kelly, 54, is accused of leading an enterprise made up of his managers, bodyguards and other employees who helped him recruit women and girls for sex. Federal prosecutors say the group selected victims at concerts and other venues and arranged for them to travel to see Kelly.
The Grammy Award-winning singer denies ever abusing anyone.
The hearing on Thursday centered on a potential conflict of interest created by lawyer Nicole Blank Becker if she ever gave legal advice to Azriel Clary, Kelly’s former girlfriend who is referred to as Jane Doe #5 in the indictment against him.
Clary once lived with Kelly and another woman, Jocelyn Savage and was a vocal supporter. After their breakup, she agreed to cooperate with the government and is expected to testify at the trial.
Becker told U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly she had made it clear to both Clary and Savage, “I am Mr. Kelly’s lawyer, not theirs.” Prosecutors also said they were not seeking Becker’s disqualification, but Kelly still must directly tell the judge he wants her on board.
On her website, Becker describes herself as a former prosecutor in Michigan who is a “powerhouse” at defending people accused of sex crimes.
Donnelly said she still wanted to question Kelly in person before letting him go forward with his new legal team at a trial scheduled to begin in early August.
To make that happen, Kelly’s transfer to New York should “happen well in advance of the trial,” the judge said. “It’s just much better for him to be here.”
Kelly appeared via video feed from a Chicago lockup dressed in an orange jumpsuit. He could be seen furrowing his brow and pressing his headphones to his ears with both hands in an apparent attempt to better hear the proceeding.
Kelly also faces numerous sex-related charges in Illinois and Minnesota and is scheduled to stand trial in September in Chicago federal court.