Singer R. Kelly. Getty Images
R. Kelly spent two days in a North Carolina hospital after claiming he overdosed on medications given by prison staff. The incident reportedly happened on June 13 while he was being held in solitary confinement at the Federal Correctional Institution in Butner, North Carolina.
Kelly Claims Medication Overdose
According to court documents filed by his legal team, the singer said prison officials gave him an unsafe amount of medication. The document stated, “Bureau of Prisons officials administered an amount of medication that significantly exceeded a safe dose and caused Mr. Kelly to overdose, putting his life in jeopardy.”
Kelly’s lawyers said he takes medication for anxiety, sleep issues, and other health concerns. They claim he showed these medications to officials when placed in solitary confinement. His lawyer believes the confinement was punishment for filing an emergency motion about safety concerns.
Medical Issues Reported
The court filing also stated that doctors found blood clots in Kelly’s legs and lungs. According to the document, doctors recommended surgery, but the Bureau of Prisons allegedly denied the procedure due to its one-week recovery period. The filing warns that this could be life-threatening.
“Mr. Kelly’s life is in jeopardy right now,” it reads. “He could die from this condition, and they are letting it happen.”
Kelly Collapsed in His Cell
Kelly’s lawyer, Beau Brindley, said the singer felt faint and dizzy on June 13. He reportedly saw black spots and couldn’t walk. He crawled to the door of his solitary cell and passed out.
Brindley said the incident followed his emergency motion filed on June 10, where he asked the court to release Kelly on a temporary furlough. He claimed that people inside the prison wanted to harm his client.
Inmate Alleges Murder Plot
The motion also included a statement from another inmate, Mikeal Glenn Stine. Stine alleged that prison officials told him to kill Kelly before both were moved to the same facility in North Carolina.
Stine has a long history of legal filings and was once convicted of threatening federal officials. Despite his background, Kelly’s team included his statement to support their claim of danger.
Government Pushes Back
Government lawyers responded by saying Kelly’s placement in solitary was for his own safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Julien described Kelly as a serial offender. He stated that Kelly has never accepted responsibility for his actions.
Kelly is serving a 30-year sentence for serious crimes, including child exploitation, forced labor, and other federal offenses.
Pardon Efforts Underway
Brindley said he is trying to get a presidential pardon for Kelly, even though the singer has no public ties to any president. He mentioned reaching out to people connected to former President Donald Trump, as Kelly once lived in Trump Tower in Chicago.
Brindley said Kelly has been harmed before while in custody and believes prison staff won’t protect him. “He is not safe in federal custody,” he said.
