The coronavirus spreads the quickest amongst crowds, which is why prisoners are one of the most vulnerable communities when it comes to infection. This vulnerability is something that singer R. Kelly is using to ask to be released from prison.
Billboard reports that Kelly and his lawyers have made a second plea to be released fro prison because of the coronavirus pandemic. This is the second plea Kelly has made using the coronavirus as the reason for why he should be freed.
Kelly’s initial plea had been rejected by the court because at that point, there were still no confirmed cases of the coronavirus at the Chicago Metropolitan Correctional Center, which is where Kelly is being held.
But, as Variety reports, six inmates have now tested positive for COVID-19. Kelly’s attorneys allege that Kelly and other inmates are extremely stressed and anxious, “banging on doors,” and “begging for help.”
Kelly’s attorneys also point out that data from the Bureau of Prisons says that 500 inmates nationwide have tested positive for COVID-19, with deaths at 17 people.
Another one of the court’s arguments against Kelly’s release was that he had not proven that he was not a flight risk, but Kelly’s lawyers argue that if he were to be released, he would be monitored by a GPS that would make escape impossible. They also argue that Kelly was too famous and recognizable to be able to escape without anybody noticing.
Kelly is facing charges of state and federal misconduct as well as a racketeering scheme designed to supply him with girls.
Kelly is not the only celebrity that could possibly be released from prison due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tekashi 6ix9ine -- real name Daniel Hernandez -- had also argued for compassionate release from prison because of the coronavirus. Hernandez was serving a two-year prison term on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a firearm, racketeering, and conspiracy murder. He was released from prison on Thursday, Apr. 2.
As the situation stands now, it looks like coronavirus infections aren’t going down anytime soon. According to the Apr. 16 situation report of the World Health Organization, there have been 76,647 new cases of coronavirus infections worldwide, bringing the global total to 1,991,562 people. The number of deaths is now at 130,885 people, with new deaths at 7,875.
In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention update for Apr. 16 puts the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases at 632,548 people. COVID-19 fatalities are now at 31,071 people.