rkelly/InstagramR Kelly is reportedly spending another night in jail, as he is unable to pay the $100,000 bail.
The 52-year-old singer – whose full name is Robert Sylvester Kelly – was granted a $1 million bond in Chicago’s Leighton Criminal Court Building on Saturday (February 23) after being indicted and booked on ten counts of aggravated criminal sex abuse.
These alleged offences are said to have been committed against four women between the years 1998 and 2010, with three of the women being under the age of 17 when the alleged assaults took place.
According to the terms of the bond, Kelly has been ordered to turn in his passport and has been prohibited from being in contact with individuals who are under the age of 18. He as also been forbidden from contacting any of the alleged victims or witnesses in the case.
As reported by the BBC, Judge John Fitzgerald Lyke Jr. has imposed a $250,000 bond for each of these four alleged victims, having described the allegations as being ‘disturbing’.
In order to be released from jail, Kelly will need to pay just 10 per cent of the total bond amount.
However, as reported by MailOnline, Kelly’s legal team have requested a lower bond amount, on the basis that his finances have taken a hit partly due to him being dropped by his record label.
Chicago Police DepartmentKelly could be facing a maximum seven year prison sentence for each count if he is convicted, CNN reports.
Kelly has denied the accusations made against him. His attorney, Steve Greenberg, told reporters, ‘He [Kelly] is a rock star. He doesn’t have to have nonconsensual sex’.
Greenberg also told reporters, ‘He’s trying to get it together’ in reference to the bond in question.
From #rkelly’s lawyer. This speaks to a fundamental misunderstanding of what sexual assault is, and is a shameful comment to come from a member of the bar. pic.twitter.com/86DMUkbf8x
— Elliot Williams (@elliotcwilliams) February 24, 2019
R. Kelly has been hit with a no-bail arrest warrant, which means he won't be released on bail after he's arrested.
The court likely did this because it thinks Kelly is a flight risk and wants to ensure he's around to face the charges.
His first hearing date is March 8. #RKelly
— Adrienne Lawrence (@AdrienneLaw) February 22, 2019
Shout out to every Black woman who endured criticism, attacks, and blame while putting in the labor to support victims of sexual violence. This effort is public today, but it certainly came with private pain.
Love and prayers to all the survivors.
#RKelly— Shanita Hubbard (@msshanitarenee) February 22, 2019
#RKelly has not yet bailed out. He doesn’t have the money in cash needed to post his bail ($100,000- 10% of the million total) according to his attorney, Steve Greenberg. Court filings obtained by CNN show the singer currently owes more than $166,663 in back child support.
— Sara Sidner (@sarasidnerCNN) February 24, 2019
#rkelly attorney is as arrogant and above it all just like his client. The arrogant always die on the swords of their own hubris.
— Larry The Cam (@safetysecurity) February 24, 2019
According to the Chicago Sun Times, Azriel Clary and Joycelyn Savage were among Kelly’s supporters sat in the court gallery.
Clary and Savage’s parents have alleged the two women are living with Kelly against their will, with Clary allegedly ignoring her father’s attempts to speak with her in the courtroom.
Attorney Michael Avenatti made the following comments to the media after the hearing:
Their daughter [Clary] has been brainwashed by Mr. Kelly and his handlers.
I think it’s disgraceful that Mr. Kelly came here today — had his enablers and his handlers come here today — with an eye towards keeping their daughter from them.
They brought them here in an effort to send a message that all is well with Robert Kelly and there is nothing untoward about his conduct.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 802 9999 (12-2:30 and 7-9:30). Alternatively you can contact Victim Support on 08 08 16 89 111.
Male Survivors Partnership is available to support adult male survivors of sexual abuse and rape. You can contact the organisation on its website or on its helpline – 0808 800 5005.
If you have a story you want to tell send it to UNILAD via [email protected]
Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.