Fact Check: R. Kelly Reported Feeling Faint and Dizzy After Medication
What We Know
On June 13, 2023, R. Kelly, the convicted singer currently serving a 30-year sentence for racketeering and sex trafficking, was reported to have experienced severe health issues after being administered medication by prison staff. According to legal filings by his lawyers, Kelly was placed in solitary confinement on June 10 and was given an "overdose quantity" of medication on June 12, which was significantly higher than his usual dosages for anxiety and sleep issues (USA Today, The Guardian).
In the early hours of June 13, Kelly allegedly awoke feeling "faint," "dizzy," and began to see "black spots in his vision." He attempted to get up but fell to the ground and lost consciousness, prompting a medical emergency that required him to be transported to Duke University Hospital (The Independent, Court TV). His lawyers assert that he was hospitalized for two days due to the overdose, which they claim threatened his life (The Guardian).
Analysis
The claim that R. Kelly reported feeling faint, dizzy, and seeing black spots in his vision on June 13, 2023, is corroborated by multiple sources. The details provided in the legal filings, which were reviewed by reputable news outlets, indicate a consistent narrative about his health decline following the administration of medication by prison staff (USA Today, The Guardian).
The reliability of the sources is bolstered by the fact that they include established media organizations such as USA Today and The Guardian, both of which have a history of reporting on legal matters and high-profile cases. Furthermore, the information comes from court filings, which are official documents that provide a formal account of events as claimed by Kelly's legal team.
However, it is important to note that the Bureau of Prisons has declined to comment on the situation, citing "pending litigation," which leaves some aspects of the claim unverified from the prison's perspective (USA Today). Additionally, federal prosecutors have labeled Kelly's claims as "fanciful" and "theatrical," indicating a potential bias against his narrative (USA Today).
Despite these counterclaims, the specific symptoms reported by Kelly align with the timeline and circumstances described in the legal filings, suggesting that his experience of feeling faint, dizzy, and seeing black spots is credible.
Conclusion
The claim that R. Kelly reported feeling faint, dizzy, and seeing black spots in his vision on June 13, 2023, after being directed to take further medications by prison staff is True. This conclusion is based on consistent reports from multiple credible sources, including legal documents and established news outlets, despite the lack of comment from the Bureau of Prisons and opposing statements from federal prosecutors.
