R. Kelly ‘Refused Transport’ & Was A No-Show For Court Hearing

R.Kelly mugshot

R. Kelly ‘Refused Transport’ & Was A No-Show For Court Hearing 

R. Kelly did not appear in court Thursday and was a no-show after he “refused transport” from his federal jail cell to state court, according to prosecutors. The 52-year-old singer was set to appear for a routine pretrial hearing.

Cook County Judge Lawrence Flood wanted to know why Kelly didn’t make it court and was told by Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Jennifer Gonzalez,

“The defendant was to be brought to court today. That was all worked out. The sheriffs were going to be bringing him over. As I understand it, he refused transport and so that is why the defendant is not before your honor today”.

R.Kelly

Kelly’s defense lawyer Steve Greenberg said that’s “not 100-percent true” but did not explain why his client didn’t appear for the hearing.

“I don’t want to discuss matters that I discussed with the U.S. Marshals Service in open court. Suffice it to say, the Marshal Service says that moving Mr. Kelly is a large undertaking.”

Kelly faces federal sex-abuse charges in Illinois and New York, where he’s accused of moving victims across state lines. He has pleaded not guilty to federal charges. He also faces state court charges in Cook County, Illinois, and Hennepin County, Minnesota. He has not yet had the opportunity to enter a plea in that case.

The singer denies the allegations. His next court date in Chicago state case is Sept. 17.