R. Kelly‘s New York sex-trafficking trial has been postponed due to concerns about the coronavirus.
The trial which was scheduled to take place on July 7 is set to begin on September 29.
Kelly is facing charges in New York including racketeering; and violations of the Mann Act, which prohibits sex trafficking across state lines.
The singer who denied the allegations also faces federal charges of child pornography. Including other crimes by the US Northern District of Illinois, where he is being held without bail.
Both Kelly‘s defense team and the prosecution told Judge Ann Donnelly in a status conference Thursday that they would prefer the New York trial to go before the trial in Chicago, which is scheduled for October.
Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn also have until noon Friday to respond to Kelly‘s latest request to be released. Donnelly turned down a request earlier this month that argued Kelly is at risk of contracting the coronavirus.
Eastern District of New York Judge Ann Donnelly ruled that R. Kelly‘s bid, “has not established compelling reasons warranting his release.” She added, “At present, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the MCC in Chicago.”
The judge also points to measures taken by the Bureau of Prisons; in combating the spread of the virus in its facilities. It includes suspending all social visits and suspending inmate facility transfers.
The singer had also argued that he is part of the “at-risk group.” But the judge said that Kelly is fifty-three years old; twelve years younger than the cohort of “older adults” defined by the CDC as at “high risk.”
The singer will be arraigned on the latest New York indictment by video conference on April 30.
