R. Kelly Remains on Suicide Watch in Prison, Lawyer Claims It's 'Unnecessary and Punitive'
Disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly remains under suicide watch in a federal prison following his 30-year prison sentence for sex trafficking and racketeering.
According to Entertainment Tonight, Kelly was placed on suicide watch following a psychological assessment after his sentencing. ET obtained a court filing where Assistant U.S. Attorney Melanie Speight claimed Kelly's “current life circumstances undoubtedly bring emotional distress. He is a convicted sex offender who has been sentenced to spend the next three decades in prison,” she added. “In the immediate future, he faces another federal criminal trial in Chicago for charges related to child pornography.”
However, one of Kelly’s attorney’s Jennifer Bonjean said in a statement that keeping Kelly on suicide watch is “unnecessary and punitive."
"The BOP (Bureau of Prisons) continues to violate his constitutional rights by subjecting him to the harsh conditions of suicide watch that are unnecessary and punitive. They are protecting him from nothing and are prioritizing their own interests," she said.
Adding, "He was not and is not suicidal although perhaps that is what they are trying to accomplish. Notably they refuse to hand over the assessment that allegedly justifies his status and claim that the courts have no ability to review this decision. The BOP is acting entirely in secrecy which is terrifying.”
Kelly remains in a New York lockup and is still facing charges in Illinois and Minnesota which include aggravated sexual abuse, child pornography, enticement of a minor, obstruction of justice, prostitution and solicitation of a minor.
His next court appearance is in Chicago and will begin this fall.