Fact Check: R. Kelly's Lawyers Seek Trump's Intervention for Release Due to Alleged Murder Plot
What We Know
R. Kelly's legal team has recently made headlines by requesting intervention from former President Donald Trump regarding his release from prison. They claim that Kelly's life is in danger due to an alleged murder plot orchestrated by federal authorities. According to CBS News, Kelly's attorneys filed an emergency motion in federal court asserting that prison officials conspired to steal his legal mail to manipulate witnesses against him and even recruited a white supremacist inmate to kill him while he serves his 30-year sentence for sex crimes.
The motion details alarming claims, including that a Bureau of Prisons official warned Kelly to avoid the mess hall due to potential poisoning, and that a fellow inmate, a member of the Aryan Brotherhood, was allegedly encouraged by prison officials to carry out the murder plot (Independent). Kelly's attorney, Beau Brindley, emphasized the urgency of their request, stating that they are seeking direct talks with Trump rather than going through the usual clemency process (CBS News).
Analysis
The claims made by Kelly's attorneys are serious and require careful scrutiny. The assertion that federal authorities are involved in a conspiracy to harm Kelly is based on the testimony of a former inmate who alleges that he was approached by prison officials to kill Kelly. However, this inmate has a history of filing lawsuits against the government, which raises questions about his credibility (Independent).
Moreover, the legal team has faced criticism from federal prosecutors, who have labeled their motions as "deeply unserious" and "repugnant" (Independent). This indicates a significant divide between Kelly's defense and the prosecution, which may affect the perception of the claims' validity.
While the motion includes dramatic allegations, such as the supposed recruitment of a white supremacist for a murder plot, the evidence presented by Kelly's attorneys has yet to be substantiated through independent verification or corroboration from credible sources. The urgency expressed by Kelly's lawyers could be seen as a tactic to gain media attention and public sympathy, but without concrete evidence, the claims remain unverified.
Conclusion
The claim that R. Kelly's lawyers are seeking intervention from President Donald Trump due to an alleged murder plot against him is True. The legal team has indeed made such requests, citing serious threats to Kelly's life while in prison. However, the credibility of the allegations made in support of this request is questionable, with significant skepticism from federal prosecutors and the lack of independent verification. The situation remains complex, and while the request for intervention is factual, the underlying claims should be approached with caution.
Sources
- R. Kelly's attorneys ask Trump to set him free from prison ... - CBS News
- R. Kelly suffered an 'overdose' of medications, his lawyers say
- R. Kelly's lawyers seeking Trump pardon
- R. Kelly's lawyers ask Trump to intervene in prison threats - Corrections1
- R. Kelly's lawyers say there's a plot to kill him, seek his immediate ...
