On June 13, disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly was rushed to Duke University Hospital after what his legal team has termed a near-fatal overdose while serving his 30-year federal prison sentence. Kelly, 58, is now incarcerated in North Carolina and reportedly put into solitary confinement days before the incident. The health crisis has stirred up severe accusations of his detention and treatment by the prison personnel.
Overdose in Isolation
Kelly was put in solitary confinement on June 10, according to court filings that Kelly’s attorneys filed. After two days, prison authorities gave him a dose of medication which his lawyer, Beau Brindley, asserts was extremely high. On June 13, Kelly fell in his cell and was taken to the hospital, where physicians stated that the concentration of medication was capable of killing him.
He was kept under observation and, after two days, sent back to prison. Brindley affirms that the overdose was not an accident. It was not done in error, he said in the emergency motion to secure release. It was an overdose that threatened his life and almost led to his death.
Claims of Neglect and Endangerment
The motion filed by Brindley alleges that the life of Kelly is in danger in federal custody. He suspects that this overdose was a fallout of another legal motion that had been filed against him, accusing the prison officials of exposing Kelly to hazard. The attorney indicated that the overdose could have been a retaliatory act.
The legal team can also refer to a sworn affidavit by fellow prisoner Mikeal Glenn Stine, who said that white supremacist groups in the prison and even some employees were plotting to have Kelly murdered so that the misconduct in connection with his prosecution might be obscured. There is no evidence to support such allegations, although it was based on them that Kelly was transferred into solitary confinement on so-called protective grounds.
Conditions in Solitary and Health Complications
The emergency motion describes Kelly’s current living conditions as inhumane. He is reportedly confined in an unsanitary environment, sleeping near insects, without access to phones or commissary. His attorneys claim he has refused food for several days, fearing further attempts at poisoning.
Medical evaluations performed during his hospital stay uncovered additional health concerns. Doctors reportedly found blood clots in both legs and lungs, recommending immediate surgery. However, before surgery could be performed, armed guards allegedly removed Kelly from the hospital and returned him to solitary confinement—against doctors’ advice.
Push for Emergency Release
This incident marks the third time Kelly’s lawyers have petitioned the court for temporary release. His legal team argues that the prison system has failed to ensure his safety and that remaining in custody could lead to his death. The motion urges the court to grant an emergency furlough to prevent further harm.
R. Kelly is currently serving a 30-year sentence for sex trafficking, racketeering, and other charges related to the abuse of minors. His appeals have thus far been unsuccessful, and the Supreme Court recently rejected a major appeal effort earlier this year.
Conclusion
The latest medical crisis surrounding R. Kelly has reignited debates over prison conditions, inmate safety, and the ethics of solitary confinement. While his crimes remain deeply controversial and widely condemned, his legal team insists that even the convicted deserve protection from medical negligence and harm while incarcerated. Whether the court will grant emergency release remains to be seen.
