Two of the attorneys representing the ‘I Believe I Can Fly’ hitmaker have written a letter to a judge, asking to step down from the star’s counsel ahead of his trial.
AceShowbiz -Two of R. Kelly‘s attorneys have requested to withdraw themselves from his counsel, insisting the singer is “impossible” to “properly represent.”
Steven Greenberg penned a letter to Judge Ann Donnelly asking that both he and colleague Mike Leonardo be allowed to step aside in the case.
In the letter, Greenberg wrote, “While we recognise that this request comes close to trial – and we are ready to proceed to trial as scheduled in August – our reasons for withdrawal are significant and it is impossible, in our belief, for us to be able to continue to properly represent Mr. Kelly under the current circumstances.”
“The government was advised of our position and reasons in a phone call,” Greenberg continued. “We are requesting that the court set our request for hearing.”
Greenberg expanded slightly on the reasons behind their decision in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper, in which he said, “Ultimately, as trial lawyers and in the interests of the client, we weren’t comfortable professionally with allowing lawyers who have never tried federal criminal cases to have significant trial responsibilities. That approach was not to everyone’s liking.”
Leonard added, “Ultimately, as trial lawyers and in the interests of the client, we were only comfortable professionally with giving significant trial responsibilities to those who have substantial federal criminal jury trial experience. We wish Mr. Kelly nothing but the greatest success.”
The remaining attorneys on Kelly’s team – Thomas Farinella, Douglas Anton, and Nicole Becker – told Fox News that Greenberg and Leonard had been “terminated… prior to filing their motion,” but the singer’s former employees denied that was the case.
Kelly, who has been behind bars since 2019, stands accused of grooming underage girls attending his concerts for sexual abuse, with the racketeering and sex trafficking trial due to kick off in August.
He is also currently scheduled to stand trial for his child pornography charges in September.
He has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
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