R. Kelly Former Manager Donnell Russell Convicted Of Falsely Threatening To Shoot People At Private Viewing Of ‘Surviving R. Kelly’

R. Kelly ‘s Former Manager Donnell Russell Convicted Of Falsely Threatening To Shoot People At 2018 Private Viewing Of ‘Surviving R. Kelly’

One of R. Kelly’s former managers will soon be joining the singer behind bars.

According to reports, Donnell Russell was found guilty recently of making a phone call threat, that gun fire would soon occur at a Manhattan club. Reports state the club was showing a private viewing of the docuseries Surviving R. Kelly, which tells the story of many of the musician’s abuse victims, prior to its release.

As previously reported, Russell’s trial for the case began earlier this month (July 19th), with the celebrity manager standing accused of making a false active shooter threat. Evidence reportedly presented in the Manhattan trial, proved that Russell made a phone call from his Chicago home to the Manhattan theater claiming that someone with a gun was planning to shoot at the crowd watching the upcoming abuse production. Police were subsequently contacted, effectively emptying out the theater.

Reportedly, Russell called the theater many time earlier the same day, threatening legal action and alleging the documentary violated copyright laws. Assistant US Attorney Lara Pomerantz reportedly stated the following in her opening case statement:

“The call was short. The defendant was to the point. And he was terrifying. Someone at the event had a gun and was going to shoot up the place.” 

She continued:

“He wanted to keep these women quiet and he succeeded. His threat worked.” 

Though Russell’s attorney reportedly argued that the evidence was limited and didn’t prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury disagreed. Russell was convicted on charges of threatening physical harm through interstate communication, but was exonerated on the conspiracy count.

Just last month Robert Kelly, known professionally as R. Kelly, was recently sentenced 30 years in prison on charges related to sexual abuse. Kelly’s former manager will soon suffer a similar fate, to a lesser extent, as he’s set to be sentenced on November 21st of this year.

[VIA 1,2]

What are your thoughts on Russell’s conviction? Let us know in the comments.