R. Kelly’s trial in New York on charges that include racketeering and sex trafficking has been moved to Sept. 29, though a member of his legal team said that date is in question as the coronavirus pandemic keeps cases on hold.
The R&B legend’s trial was previously scheduled for July. But Brooklyn federal Judge Ann Donnelly signed off on the date change on a Thursday teleconference.
But Douglas Anton, a New Jersey-based attorney representing the “I Believe I Can Fly” crooner, told The Post that he isn’t holding his breath for the trial to go forward on the new date, as it would leave Kelly’s attorneys little time to prepare their defense.
“It’s impossible that that date is going to happen,” Anton said.
Kelly — who one of his attorneys described as “emotional and despondent” while he remains behind bars in Chicago — was not on the call.
Donnelly said that she would like Kelly to be tried on his Brooklyn case before he is due in October to see a jury in the Windy City, where his charges include creating and possessing child pornography.
Also on Thursday, Kelly’s lawyers filed a new motion with Donnelly to spring him from Chicago’s Metropolitan Detention Center.
Donnelly rejected a similar request on April 7, but his lawyers argue that since then six inmates at the Windy City federal lockup have tested positive for COVID-19.
The judge’s ruling on the new motion is pending.
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