R. Kelly's bond set at $1 million, R&B singer banned from 'communicating' with anyone under 18
Less than 12 hours after R. Kelly was indicted before a grand jury on 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, the R&B singer appeared before a Cook County Judge for a bond hearing Saturday. According to Buzzfeed Reporter Sarah Conway, who was in attendance, the judge set Kelly’s bond at $1 million, confiscated his passport, and told him he “wasn’t allowed to communicate” with minors.
The allegations against Kelly — which include at least four women between the ages of 13 and 17 — were classified as “disturbing” by Judge John Fitzgerald Lyke Jr., according to the Chicago Tribune.
#RKelly D-Bond set at $1 million; he must pay $100k for his release per Judge Lyke. Court will confiscate his passport; Kelly and associates not allowed to communicate with victims, he is not allowed to have any relations with anyone 18 years old or younger. @BuzzFeedNews
— Sarah Conway (@sarahanneconway) February 23, 2019
Kelly’s attorney Steve Greenberg has suggested the case is double jeopardy, a claim which Michael Avenatti — also present at the hearing — disputed publicly. Kim Foxx, the Cook County State’s Attorney representing the victims, gave a press conference after the hearing, describing in excruciating detail the allegations against Kelly. Viewers on Twitter say it prompted CNN and Fox to cut away.
both cnn and fox just cut away from the r kelly press conference by kim foxx as she began saying kelly masturbated and ejaculated on one of his victims' shirts
— David Mack (@davidmackau) February 23, 2019
Kim Foxx is on CNN describing the disgusting stuff the young girls went through dealing with that sick bastard and I feel sick physically.
— Bre.Ellie ∞❤ (@Exclusive_brex3) February 23, 2019
I need a cleansing after listening to these charges #RKelly #gross #pig #justkids
— Michele (@Fairyswirls) February 23, 2019
These #RKelly crimes being articulated by Kim Foxx on CNN right now are making me physically ill. What an absolute animal! 🤮🤮🤮
— Cathy (@CathyMD31) February 23, 2019
The incrimination of Kelly — after decades of speculation — is largely credited to Dream Hampton, the executive producer of the recent documentary Surviving R. Kelly. “I know it is Oscar weekend, but this proves some films are bigger than awards, ratings, and how much money is made,” tweeted W. Kamau Bell after his indictment Friday. “@dreamhampton‘s #SurvivingRKelly paved the way for justice.”
Greenberg, Kelly’s attorney, has yet to publicly respond to the development, but has been vehemently defending the R&B singer in recent days — saying he is an “innocent man.”
CORRECTION 2/25/19: An earlier version of this article wrongly referred to R. Kelly as a rapper. In fact, he is an R&B singer and songwriter.
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
Jada Pinkett Smith doesn’t understand why people are still listening to R. Kelly’s music
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