New York Federal Judge Anne Donnelly has denied for the second time R. Kelly‘s request to be released from jail, where the rapper expressed concern that he may contract coronavirus from inmates infected with the pandemic.
“The defendant maintains that any risk can be mitigated through a combination of measures imposed on his release, including restrictions on social media, internet and telephone use,” wrote the U.S. District Judge in her ruling issued Tuesday.
The alleged sex predator remains a flight risk and could possibly “intimidate prospective witnesses” if he is released from custody, in the opinion of Judge Donnelly.
The 53-year-old singer is currently jailed without bond at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago.
He is facing charges on 13 counts in several jurisdictions, including being involved in the prostitution of a minor in Minnesota and kidnapping and sexual exploitation in New York.
The charges followed the release of the 2019 docu-series, Surviving R. Kelly in which several women stand united against the singer, who has long been accused of abuse, pedophilia, and predatory behavior toward women.
This was the second unsuccessful attempt by Kelly this month to get temporary release citing coronavirus fears.
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