R. Kelly’s Chicago Trial Date Has Been Set For August 1st

R. Kelly’s Chicago Trial Date Has Been Set For August 1 Despite His Lawyer’s Request For A 3-Month Extension

R. Kelly’s federal trial will commence on August 1, a judge has confirmed, despite requests from his legal team for a three-month extension.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the Step In The Name Of Love singer’s attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, filed the motion on Monday, hoping that the additional time will help her prepare for the case, considering she was hired relatively late to vindicate her client.

Jennifer further stressed that with the complexity of the charges R. Kelly, whose real name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, is facing, the three-month extension would also allow his legal team to prepare for the enormous amount of evidence that has been turned over, including the purported sex tapes involving minors.

She hoped to lengthen the trial date so that she would have enough time to explore all avenues of defense and offer R. Kelly a fair proceeding.

Unfortunately for her, U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber denied her request on Tuesday, making it known that the case is three years underway and has already faced endless delays, many of which were brought on by the pandemic.

And since the court is still following strict Covid-19 protocols, issuing an extension would complicate the procedure that’s already put in place for the trial at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on August 1.

R. Kelly is facing a heap of charges after being indicted in Chicago in July 2019 and found guilty in September 2021 of leading a sex trafficking and racketeering scheme predominately involving children and Black women.