R Kelly’s sex trafficking trial has been postponed until September due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The singer is currently being held in jail in Chicago, where he is facing sexual misconduct charges, including sex trafficking, child pornography and racketeering, in New York, Minnesota and Illinois.
Kelly was due to face trial in New York on 7 July, but due to the coronavirus pandemic causing delays in the legal system, his trial date has been moved back to the end of September.
As reported byPage Six, Judge Ann Donnelly scheduled jury selection for 29 September, with prospective jurors completing questionnaires two weeks prior.
However, it is accepted that this new date may not stick depending on the impact Covid-19 continues to have on the courts, with the lawyer representing the singer saying: “It’s impossible that that date is going to happen.”
Kelly had previously requested that he be released from custody due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Judge Donnelly turned down the motion.
“The defendant is currently in custody because of the risks that he will flee or attempt to obstruct, threaten or intimidate prospective witnesses,” she wrote in part of her denial.
“The defendant has not explained how those risks have changed.”
