Fact Check: A terminally ill inmate claims prison officials plotted R. Kelly's murder.

Fact Check: "A terminally ill inmate claims prison officials plotted R. Kelly's murder."

What We Know

R. Kelly, currently serving a 30-year sentence for racketeering and sex trafficking, has made serious allegations against prison officials. His lawyer, Beau Brindley, claims that Kelly's life is in danger due to a purported murder plot orchestrated by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). This claim stems from a sworn declaration by Mikeal Glenn Stine, a terminally ill inmate and leader of the Aryan Brotherhood, who alleges that prison officials offered him freedom in exchange for murdering Kelly (CBS News, Vulture).

On June 10, 2023, Kelly's legal team filed an emergency motion for his release, citing this alleged plot. They assert that prison staff provided Kelly with an overdose of medication, which he claims could have been lethal (Independent). Furthermore, Kelly's lawyers argue that he has been denied necessary medical treatment for blood clots, which they claim puts his life at further risk (Global News).

Analysis

The allegations made by Kelly and his legal team are serious and warrant careful scrutiny. The primary source of the murder plot claim is Mikeal Glenn Stine, whose credibility is questionable given his affiliation with the Aryan Brotherhood and his terminal illness. While Stine's declaration provides a basis for Kelly's claims, it is essential to consider the context and potential motivations behind such statements. Prosecutors have dismissed Kelly's claims as "fanciful" and "deeply unserious," arguing that they undermine the real harm suffered by his victims (Vulture, Chicago Sun-Times).

Moreover, the circumstances surrounding Kelly's hospitalization raise further questions. His lawyer alleges that prison officials provided him with an overdose of medication, leading to his hospitalization. However, the BOP has not publicly commented on these allegations, leaving a gap in the narrative (CBS News). The lack of independent verification of the claims made by Kelly's legal team complicates the situation, as does the absence of a clear response from the BOP.

While there is a documented history of Kelly's legal troubles and the serious nature of his convictions, the claims of a murder plot remain unverified and are met with skepticism from legal authorities. The situation is further complicated by the fact that Kelly's legal team has previously raised concerns about his safety in prison, which may influence perceptions of his current claims (Vulture).

Conclusion

The claim that "a terminally ill inmate claims prison officials plotted R. Kelly's murder" is Partially True. While there is a basis for the claim stemming from Stine's declaration and Kelly's allegations of an overdose, the reliability of these sources is questionable, and the claims have been met with significant skepticism from legal authorities. The lack of corroborating evidence and the potential biases of the involved parties necessitate a cautious interpretation of the situation.

Fact Check: A terminally ill inmate claims prison officials plotted R. Kelly's murder.