Fact Check: R. Kelly's lawyers claim a murder plot against him involves prison officials
What We Know
R. Kelly, the R&B singer currently serving time for multiple sex crimes, has made serious allegations against prison officials. According to his attorneys, they claim that prison officials at the Butner, North Carolina facility are involved in a murder plot against him. They allege that these officials sought assistance from leaders of a white supremacist gang to kill him in order to prevent the release of damaging information regarding the prison's operations (AP News, WUNC).
Kelly's legal team has also claimed that he was intentionally overdosed with medication, resulting in hospitalization for blood clots, and that he was subsequently returned to solitary confinement against medical advice (CBS News, NBC News). The Bureau of Prisons has not commented on these allegations, citing privacy and security concerns.
Analysis
The claims made by R. Kelly's lawyers are significant and serious, alleging a conspiracy involving prison officials. However, the response from government attorneys has been dismissive, labeling the allegations as a "fanciful conspiracy" and questioning the credibility of Kelly's claims (AP News, WUNC).
The source of the allegations includes a declaration from a leader of the Aryan Brotherhood, which raises questions about the reliability of this evidence. While such a declaration could lend some weight to the claims, the context and motivations behind it must be critically assessed. The Bureau of Prisons has not provided any evidence to support or refute these claims, maintaining a stance of silence on ongoing legal matters (CBS News, NBC News).
Overall, while the allegations are serious, they are currently unverified and contested by government officials. The lack of independent verification and the dismissive stance of the authorities involved complicate the situation.
Conclusion
The claim that R. Kelly's lawyers allege a murder plot against him involving prison officials is True. His legal team has formally presented these allegations in court filings, and they are part of ongoing legal proceedings. However, the credibility of these claims is contested, and they are met with skepticism from government attorneys. The situation remains fluid, and further developments may provide more clarity.
Sources
- Singer R. Kelly alleges mistreatment after hospitalization ... (https://apnews.com/article/r-kelly-hospital-overdose-prison-885271a521202e539d2ad9025189bc7e)
- Singer R. Kelly alleges mistreatment after hospitalization and prison 'murder plot' - WUNC (https://www.wunc.org/term/news/2025-06-17/r-kelly-mistreatment-hospitalization-prison-murder-plot#:~:text=In%20a%20series%20of%20filings,solitary%20confinement%2C%20his%20attorneys%20say.)
- R. Kelly hospitalized for overdose, claims he is target of ... (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/r-kelly-hospitalized-overdose-claims-murder-plot-prison/)
- R. Kelly was hospitalized in what lawyers call an ongoing ... (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/crime-courts/r-kelly-hospitalized-lawyers-call-ongoing-prison-assassination-plot-rcna213468)