R. Kelly’s Lawyers Claim Evidence Is Being Withheld

Posted on January 28, 2021

Here are the latest details from the jailed singer’s legal defense.
Written by BET Staff
R. Kelly is set to go to trial in April 2021 and his lawyers are trying last ditch efforts to ensure his freedom.
According to The Chicago Tribune, Kelly’s lawyers claim prosecutors are refusing to turn over evidence. A Jan. 24 motion filed by his attorney, Michael Leonard, in the U.S. District Court in Brooklyn stated, “The only reason that these materials are being withheld is to allow the government to gain a tactical advantage and as gamesmanship.”

The motion continued, “This action is decidedly not one that should be based upon trial by surprise, or trial with only an opportunity for one side to meaningfully prepare.”
The motion is asking for the prosecutor to turn over all evidence. It’s not clear what type of evidence is allegedly being withheld.
U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly has a pretrial conference scheduled for Feb. 17, which is when it will be decided if evidence is being withheld. The New York trial begins April 7.
The 53-year-old stands accused of several sex crime charges, including child pornography, racketeering, and sex trafficking, across New York, Minnesota and Chicago. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 26: R&B singer R. Kelly leaves the Leighton Criminal Courts Building following a hearing on June 26, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Prosecutors turned over to Kelly’s defense team a DVD that alleges to show Kelly having sex with an underage girl in the 1990s. Kelly has been charged with multiple sex crimes involving four women, three of whom were underage at the time of the alleged encounters.
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Blogs

SUPER BOWL HALFTIME PERFORMANCE RUMORS

SUPER BOWL HALFTIME PERFORMANCE RUMORS

We’re starting to hear loud rumblings about next year’s Super Bowl halftime show performer. The rumor going around is that Jay-Z will take the stage during the big game in San Francisco on February 8th, 2026. While we’re unable to confirm or deny at this point, it almost seemed inevitable that Hov would headline at…

PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE HAS RESTED IN DIDDY CASE

PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE HAS RESTED IN DIDDY CASE

On Tuesday, both the prosecution and defense rested their cases in the Sean “Diddy” Combs trial. The prosecution finished presenting evidence, wrapping up nearly six weeks of testimony, videos, pictures, and documents. On the same day, Diddy’s defense team brought no witnesses to the stand and presented several pieces of evidence in the case. The…

SNOOP DOGG’S BIOPIC COMING TO THE BIG SCREEN

SNOOP DOGG’S BIOPIC COMING TO THE BIG SCREEN

Snoop Dogg, the West Coast rap icon turned cultural mainstay, is officially bringing his life story to the big screen. Read more about Snoop’s upcoming biopic, film and TV deal with Universal inside. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Doggfather has signed a multi-year first-look deal with NBCUniversal through his Death Row Pictures banner, solidifying a…

SNOOP AND NBC

SNOOP AND NBC

NBC is going from being the Peacock network to the Canine network after inking a new deal with Snoop Dogg. Snoop’s Death Row Pictures has inked a multi-year creative partnership with NBC Universal. Part of the deal will bring him back to The Voice next season, and he’ll continue his cross-platform appearances, like he did…

Headlines