Disgraced R&B superstar R. Kelly, currently serving decades in federal prison following convictions for sex trafficking and child pornography, was recently hospitalized, sparking conflicting accounts from his legal team and official sources.
His attorneys have filed explosive allegations in court, claiming the singer suffered an “overdose” deliberately caused by officials at the North Carolina prison facility where he is incarcerated. These claims go further, alleging the denial of life-saving medical treatment and even a plot orchestrated by prison staff to have him killed.
Shocking Claims from R. Kelly’s Legal Team
According to a June 17 court filing by Kelly’s lawyers, obtained by various news outlets, a series of alarming events unfolded at the Federal Correctional Institute facility in Butner, North Carolina.
- Alleged Medication Overdose: The legal team claims that on the night of June 12, shortly after being placed in solitary confinement against his will, a staff member instructed Kelly to take an “overdose quantity” of his anxiety and sleep medication. The filing alleges this amount was significantly higher than his prescribed dosage.
- Alleged Denial of Life-Saving Surgery: While at Duke University Hospital, Kelly’s concerns about a swollen leg led to scans revealing critical blood clots in both his legs and his lungs. His attorneys assert that prison medical staff had previously discontinued his necessary blood thinner medication. Doctors at Duke reportedly recommended he remain hospitalized for seven days and scheduled surgery to address the life-threatening clots. However, the filing alleges that Bureau of Prisons (BOP) officers entered his room and forcibly removed him from the hospital against medical advice. His legal team vehemently claims the BOP is denying him this necessary surgery and that “Mr. Kelly’s life is in danger” from this condition.
- Alleged Prison Murder Plot: The court filing also renews and expands upon previous claims of a conspiracy involving prison staff. Kelly’s lawyers allege that BOP officials are actively “seeking to kill” Kelly, potentially as a cover-up for alleged crimes committed during the investigation of his original cases. They claim evidence indicates prison officials have solicited other inmates to murder him. This includes a prior claim that an alleged Aryan Brotherhood leader was offered early release to kill Kelly, and the more recent claim that another member of the Aryan Brotherhood has been solicited to murder both Kelly and the inmate who allegedly warned him. The filing even mentions an alleged warning from another official advising Kelly he is not safe and should avoid the mess hall and commissary food due to the “possibility of poison.”
The following morning, Kelly reportedly woke up feeling faint, dizzy, and seeing black spots. He allegedly collapsed while trying to stand, crawled to his cell door, and lost consciousness. He was subsequently transported by ambulance to Duke University Hospital. During his two-day hospital stay, his lawyers claim he was informed the amount of medication he received was “potentially lethal.”
Based on these grave allegations regarding his safety and medical care, R. Kelly’s legal team is seeking his immediate release from prison or transfer to temporary home confinement, stating his life is dependent on it. Reports indicate this is his third such request for release from federal custody.
Conflicting Accounts and Official Responses
Not all accounts align with the lawyers’ dramatic claims. Sources speaking to ABC News offered a different explanation for Kelly’s hospitalization, stating he was taken to the hospital for two days for routine medical care and has since been released back to the prison facility.
The Bureau of Prisons provided a standard response to inquiries, stating, “For privacy, safety, and security reasons, we do not discuss the conditions of confinement for any incarcerated individual, including medical and health-related issues.” They also noted they do not comment on pending litigation or legal matters.
Furthermore, federal prosecutors have responded sharply to Kelly’s emergency motions. They have dismissed his claims as “fanciful” and “theatrical,” accusing Kelly of being an “abuser and a master manipulator.” Prosecutors argue that the motion “makes a mockery of the harm suffered by Kelly’s victims” and criticized the filing itself, suggesting it was filed in the wrong court with procedural issues, primarily to gain public attention and “tabloid” publicity rather than address legitimate legal concerns. They contend that granting his release would set a dangerous precedent, allowing any convicted criminal to seek freedom based on such claims.
Context of R. Kelly’s Sentence
R. Kelly, born Robert Sylvester Kelly, is currently serving lengthy federal sentences. He was convicted in federal court in New York in 2021 on charges including racketeering and violating the Mann Act (sex trafficking, including involving underage girls), resulting in a 30-year sentence. In a separate federal trial in Chicago in 2022, he was found guilty of sex crime charges, including producing child pornography and enticing minors. A judge sentenced him to 20 years for those convictions in 2023. However, the Chicago sentence is largely concurrent with the New York sentence, adding only one year to his overall time behind bars.
The starkly contrasting narratives surrounding R. Kelly’s recent hospitalization highlight the intense legal battle his team is waging while he remains incarcerated, facing claims vehemently disputed by both federal sources and prosecutors.