Skip to main content

R. Kelly's lawyer asks judge to provide new clothes because his client has gained weight - and reveals disgraced star is $2million in debt

Pictured: a courtroom sketch of R. Kelly, who's federal trial for sex trafficking charges is set to begin on August 9

Pictured: a courtroom sketch of R. Kelly, who's federal trial for sex trafficking charges is set to begin on August 9

R. Kelly has asked a court to provide him with new clothes because he has gained weight in prison, as his lawyer revealed the disgraced rapper is $2million in debt.

The star claims he cannot afford court transcripts as he prepares for trial, and has requested that the documents be provided to him for free.

The former music superstar, who's real name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, is set to begin his federal trial with jury selection in New York for sex trafficking on August 9, Insider reports.

'As the defense set forth during the conference, Mr. Kelly is financially unable to obtain the transcripts and the transcripts are necessary for his defense,' Kelly's attorney, Calvin Scholar, wrote in a letter to Judge Ann Donnelly,. 

Kelly, 54, who was in court Tuesday for a pre-trial, is facing racketeering charges for allegedly running a criminal enterprise in which young women were kidnapped for sex trafficking.

At his peak, R. Kelly was worth upwards of $100 million, but had a net worth of negative $2 million as of last year, according to Celebrity Net Worth. 

Kelly (left) married fellow musical artist Aaliyah (right) when she was 15 years old

Kelly married fellow musical artist Aaliyah when she was 15 years old

R. Kelly turns to leave after appearing at a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on September 17, 2019

R. Kelly turns to leave after appearing at a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on September 17, 2019

Court transcript filings in New York State cost $25, United Process reports. 

His lawyer is specifically asking for free transcripts of the jury selection.

On Thursday, his team also took the opportunity to read the court a letter, where his lawyer asked the judge for a new set of clothes for the singer, who they say has gained a considerable amount of weight since his incarceration. 

Donnelly denied their request for new clothing measurements. 'We need measurements for appropriate attire for his trial,' his lawyer told the judge. 

'We're trying to get his measurements. How can we take his size?'

Kelly was moved from Chicago Metropolitan Correctional Center to a Brooklyn detention center in late June. Prosecutors filed a motion around the same time the singer was moved claiming he also sexually abused a boy he met at a McDonald's and bribed officials involved in the case.  

Musical artist R. Kelly appears before Judge Ann Donnelly with his legal team sex trafficking allegations in Brooklyn federal court in New York on Tuesday

Musical artist R. Kelly appears before Judge Ann Donnelly with his legal team sex trafficking allegations in Brooklyn federal court in New York on Tuesday

Aaliyah died in a plane crash in 2001 at the age of 22

Aaliyah died in a plane crash in 2001 at the age of 22

The R&B singer said via his lawyer during his pre-trial hearing on Tuesday that he had 'sexual contact' with Aaliyah when she was 15 years old, before walking those assertions back. 

Federal prosecutor Elizabeth Geddes asked: 'Are they not going to dispute that at the time Jane Doe 1 was 13 to 15 years old?'

'We do dispute. We're not prepared to concede that right now,' Farinella said.

The Daily News noted that it was not clear if Farinella was referring to Aaliyah’s age or whether the two had a sexual relationship. 

Aaliyah, who died in a plane crash back in 2001 at the age of 22, was introduced to Kelly by her uncle Barry Hankerson - a record producer and manager who represented him.

Kelly and Aaliyah had a quiet friendship and were married in secret in 1994 when he was 27 and she was still underage.

Among other allegations, the 'I Believe I Can Fly' singer also was accused of bribing an official in Illinois in 1994 to issue an illegal wedding certificate that said Aaliyah was 18 years old when she was really 15. 

Opening statements for Kelly's federal trial are set for August 18. 

Meanwhile, recording artist Drake, a huge Aaliyah fan, announced that he is working on a posthumous album of her music, and he's already released the song "Enough Said" featuring himself and the singer.

Popular posts from this blog

Study Abroad USA, College of Charleston, Popular Courses, Alumni

Thinking for Study Abroad USA. School of Charleston, the wonderful grounds is situated in the actual middle of a verifiable city - Charleston. Get snatched up by the wonderful and customary engineering, beautiful pathways, or look at the advanced steel and glass building which houses the School of Business. The grounds additionally gives students simple admittance to a few major tech organizations like Amazon's CreateSpace, Google, TwitPic, and so on. The school offers students nearby as well as off-grounds convenience going from completely outfitted home lobbies to memorable homes. It is prepared to offer different types of assistance and facilities like clubs, associations, sporting exercises, support administrations, etc. To put it plainly, the school grounds is rising with energy and there will never be a dull second for students at the College of Charleston. Concentrate on Abroad USA is improving and remunerating for your future. The energetic grounds likewise houses various

Best MBA Online Colleges in the USA

“Opportunities never open, instead we create them for us”. Beginning with this amazing saying, let’s unbox today’s knowledge. Love Business and marketing? Want to make a high-paid career in business administration? Well, if yes, then mate, we have got you something amazing to do!   We all imagine an effortless future with a cozy house and a laptop. Well, well! You can make this happen. Today, with this guide, we will be exploring some of the top-notch online MBA universities and institutes in the USA. Let’s get started! Why learn Online MBA from the USA? Access to More Options This online era has given a second chance to children who want to reflect on their careers while managing their hectic schedules. In this, the internet has played a very crucial in rejuvenating schools, institutes, and colleges to give the best education to students across the globe. Graduating with Less Debt Regular classes from high reputed institutes often charge heavy tuition fees. However onl

Sickening moment maskless 'Karen' COUGHS in the face of grocery store customer, then claims she doesn't have to wear a mask because she 'isn't sick'

A woman was captured on camera following a customer through a supermarket as she coughs on her after claiming she does not need a mask because she is not sick.  Video of the incident, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter alone, allegedly took place in a Su per Saver in Lincoln, Nebraska according to Twitter user @davenewworld_2. In it, an unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of the customer recording her. Scroll down for video An unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of a woman recording her A woman was captured on camera following a customer as she coughs on her in a supermarket without a mask on claiming she does not need one because she is not sick @chaiteabugz #karen #covid #karens #karensgonewild #karensalert #masks we were just wearing a mask at the store. ¿ o