On June 18th, shocking news broke that R. Kelly had been hospitalized after an alleged overdose. Details about his condition were not provided, raising many questions regarding his health while in prison. Concerns grew with later reports suggesting that law enforcement officials were targeting Kelly.
Kelly Soars
Kelly’s ascent to stardom was extraordinary. His career began to take shape in 1992, following years of participation in various competitions. As a member of the group MGM, he gained recognition by winning the well-known televised contest “Big Break.” In 1992, R. Kelly & Public Announcement released their debut album, “Born Into The ‘90s,” which went platinum the following year, as reported by the Associated Press. His success continued to climb, reaching a high point in 1998 when he won three Grammy Awards for his hit single, “I Believe I Can Fly.”
The Aftermath: R. Kelly’s Sentence and the Threat
The late 1990s, however, marked the start of Kelly’s decline. In 1998, a lawsuit was filed against him, which he settled. Another accusation arose in 2001, leading to another settlement. However, soon he would face consequences that couldn’t be so easily resolved. On June 29, 2021, his judgment day arrived. According to ICE,”
Robert Sylvester Kelly, the R&B singer known as ‘R. Kelly,’ was sentenced to 30 years in prison by United States District Judge Ann M. Donnelly on June 29.”
As of September 27, 2021, five years have passed since his sentencing, and the artist is now facing a battle of another kind, a threat to his life.
Blood Clots and Conspiracy
Kelly’s legal team argues that the overdose leading to the performer’s hospitalization was intentional. As reported by ABC 11,
“In the court documents, Kelly’s lawyers claim prison officials gave him an overdose of medication and ‘almost killed him.”
Following this allegation, the attorneys requested a temporary release for Kelly, but the request was denied.
The lawyers reportedly anticipated the denial of their plea due to jurisdictional legal constraints. ABC 11 further reported the legal team’s statement:
“We had no option but to take immediate action given clear evidence of a threat to Robert Kelly’s life. Yesterday, I made an urgent visit to see him. I can now confirm that this threat persists and is more severe than ever. Mr. Kelly remains incarcerated with blood clots in his lungs.”
The Conspiracy Inside
Blood clots pose a serious health risk and can be life-threatening if not adequately monitored and treated. Lawyers have claimed that the singer is in a critical condition, prompting questions about the motives behind this situation. What reason would prison officials have to harm Kelly? This is an important question that requires answers.
What we know is that this incident followed a recent legal filing. It was claimed that an inmate was allegedly instructed by prison officials to kill Kelly. Furthermore, there are allegations that the “I Believe I Can Fly” singer was denied surgery to remove his clots. Reports indicate that Bureau of Prisons officials interfered with the scheduling of a surgery at Duke University Hospital to clear blood clots from Kelly’s lungs by forcibly removing him and returning him to solitary confinement.
Incarceration and Injustice: R. Kelly and The Case for Humanity
This situation is indeed serious and warrants attention. It is hoped that Kelly receives the protection he is entitled to. Prisons are meant to be places of reform and rehabilitation. Those convicted of crimes are expected to serve their sentences as determined by the courts. Imposing punishments beyond the court’s judgment, especially if not sentenced to death, is inhumane and violates the legal process.
Watching and Waiting
According to the ACLU, officers are prohibited from using force with malicious or sadistic intent to cause harm. However, they are allowed to use force if it is a sincere effort to maintain order. Prison officials could be breaching the Eighth Amendment if they were aware of the risk of assault by other inmates and did nothing, or if the conditions or practices within the prison posed an unreasonable risk of assault. This principle must be upheld. This is a story worth watching as it unfolds.
