R. Kelly’s Lawyers Call on Donald Trump to Help With Release After Alleged Murder-for-Hire Plot
R. Kelly, born Robert Kelly, was once a celebrated R&B artist. He’s now serving a 31-year federal prison sentence for a series of heinous crimes involving minors. In 2021, he was convicted in Brooklyn on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, exploiting his fame to manipulate and abuse young women and girls. The following year, he received an additional 20-year sentence in Chicago for producing child pornography and enticing minors for sex. Now, his lawyers are requesting his release after he was nearly the victim of an alleged murder-for-hire plot while incarcerated.
R. Kelly’s lawyers want help from Donald Trump to have the R&B singer moved from prison to home detention
Even behind bars, R. Kelly’s legal saga is far from over. In a dramatic twist, the disgraced singer’s legal team filed an emergency request in June 2025, pushing for house arrest after an alleged murder plot against him surfaced. The plot allegedly involved not just fellow inmates, but also prison staff.
Inmate Mikeal Stine, who is terminally ill, said in a sworn statement that officials offered to release him if he murdered Kelly. According to Stine, once he killed Kelly, officials would allow for his escape. While he’d be charged with murder, he was assured that the evidence would be mishandled and he wouldn’t be convicted. Stine ended up telling Kelly about the murder scheme.
Kelly’s lawyers want the R&B singer to move from his current federal correctional institution in North Carolina to detention at home. Additionally, a statement from Kelly’s attorney shows his legal team intends to “call on the courts and President Trump” to assist in the matter.
“Federal officers have solicited the murder of R. Kelly because he intends to expose the corruption underlying his federal prosecutions. We have filed our motion to make sure that they fail,” Kelly’s attorney, Beau B. Brindley, stated to USA Today. “The only thing that can protect Mr. Kelly behind the prison walls now is the fact that now the world is watching. And we will call on the courts and President Trump to help put an end to the corruption that now threatens Mr. Kelly’s life.”
How to get help: In the U.S., call the RAINN National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
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