CHICAGO, IL — R&B singer and convicted sex offender R. Kelly will remain behind bars after a federal judge on Thursday, 20 June 2025, denied his latest emergency motion seeking home confinement. The legal bid followed a dramatic filing by Kelly’s legal team, who claimed that prison officials were involved in a murder-for-hire plot and medical negligence at FCI Butner, a federal prison in North Carolina.
Kelly, who is currently serving a 30-year sentence for multiple sex crimes, alleged that his life is in imminent danger. His attorneys claimed that a member of the Aryan Brotherhood, Mikeal Glenn Stine, had been promised early release by prison staff in exchange for assassinating Kelly. The motive, according to the motion, was to prevent the singer from exposing alleged mail tampering and prosecutorial misconduct.
Shocking Allegations Include Poisoning and Forced Return to Solitary
Adding to the explosive claims, Kelly’s lawyers said he recently collapsed after being administered a dangerously high dose of medication. On 12 June, the singer was hospitalized at Duke University Hospital where doctors reportedly discovered life-threatening blood clots in his lungs and legs. The defense alleged that Kelly was forcibly returned to solitary confinement against medical advice, despite doctors recommending at least two weeks of care and possible surgery.
Judge Denies Motion on Jurisdiction Grounds
However, U.S. District Judge Martha Pacold swiftly denied the motion—not based on the substance of the allegations, but due to jurisdictional limitations. Since Kelly is incarcerated in North Carolina, the Chicago court has no legal authority over his confinement conditions.
“Kelly has not demonstrated a legal basis for this court’s jurisdiction,” wrote Judge Pacold. “Accordingly, his emergency motion… is denied.”
Kelly’s attorney, Beau Brindley, acknowledged the legal roadblock but insisted they had no choice but to act quickly in light of what they described as a credible threat to Kelly’s life.
“We knew that technical jurisdiction would be a challenge under these circumstances,” Brindley said. “However, we had no choice but to act immediately given explicit evidence of a threat to Robert Kelly’s life.”
Federal Prosecutors Slam Motion as a “Stunt”
Federal prosecutors dismissed the claims as outrageous and a distraction tactic. In a written response, they described the filing as “repugnant” and “deeply unserious,” asserting that it was another attempt by Kelly to dodge the consequences of his years of sexually abusing children.
“This is a publicity stunt, not a legitimate legal argument,” said the prosecution, accusing Kelly of seeking sympathy and trying to manipulate the legal system.
What’s Next for R. Kelly?
Despite the denial, Kelly’s legal team may attempt to refile the motion in North Carolina’s jurisdiction, although success is uncertain. Meanwhile, he remains in solitary confinement at FCI Butner as both his health status and the credibility of the murder plot allegations remain under scrutiny.
Kelly’s appeal efforts in his original conviction also continue to face uphill battles in federal court. As his legal team scrambles to address safety concerns, prosecutors maintain that justice must be served for his victims, many of whom continue to watch developments closely.
