R. Kelly’s attorneys have claimed that the singer suffered a drug overdose last week while in solitary confinement at a federal prison in North Carolina, following what they describe as an unusually high dose of medication administered by prison staff.
According to a court filing dated June 17 and obtained by USA TODAY, the legal team stated that Kelly was given an excessive dosage of medication on June 12 at the Federal Correctional Institution in Butner. The dose allegedly far exceeded his usual prescriptions for anxiety and sleep, resulting in a medical emergency that led to his hospitalization the following day, June 13.
The document further reveals that Kelly was later removed from Duke University Hospital in Durham against medical advice.
The Bureau of Prisons has declined to comment on the matter, citing “pending litigation.”
Kelly, whose full name is Robert Kelly, is currently serving a 30-year prison sentence following his 2022 conviction on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking.
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His legal representatives allege that the incident happened shortly after they filed an emergency furlough motion on June 10. The motion reportedly claimed that three prison officials were involved in a plot to have Kelly killed by another inmate. The attorneys said that shortly after this filing, Kelly was placed in solitary confinement without his consent.
In the early hours of June 13, the singer reportedly became lightheaded and experienced vision issues.
The court filing reads, “He tried to stand but collapsed. He crawled to the cell door and lost consciousness.”
Unable to treat him on site, prison medical personnel reportedly called for emergency services. Kelly was transported to Duke University Hospital, where he spent two days under medical observation.
His lawyers also noted that they were unable to speak with him until June 16, stating that a previously scheduled phone call was canceled without explanation.
