R Kelly officially asks Trump to end his 30-year prison sentence for sex crimes
The Independent • • entertainment
Key Points:
- R&B singer R. Kelly has formally requested President Donald Trump to commute his 30-year prison sentence for federal sex trafficking and racketeering convictions from 2021.
- Kelly's attorneys submitted the clemency request to the Justice Department's Office of the Pardon Attorney, with the plea made public this week and currently pending.
- Kelly was found guilty of multiple charges including sexual exploitation of children and forced labor after a six-week trial, with prosecutors emphasizing his abuse of fame to exploit vulnerable young people.
- His legal team has also sought a new trial in Chicago, alleging prosecutorial misconduct involving stolen mail and threats against Kelly in prison, though these claims have been challenged by federal prosecutors.
- It remains uncertain if Trump will grant clemency, with no official response from the White House; Trump previously stated he would consider pardons based on fairness rather than personal connections.
