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Kelly confirmed to U.S. District Judge Ann
Donnelly in Brooklyn that he fired Steve Greenberg and Michael
Leonard, leaving him with two defense lawyers.
"Is that what your wish is?" Donnelly asked Kelly during a
hearing conducted by telephone.
"Absolutely, yes ma'am, your honor," he responded.
Kelly's remaining lawyers, Thomas Farinella and Nicole Becker,
said they will keep preparing for the scheduled Aug. 9 trial.
The hearing briefly included allegations by Greenberg that
unidentified members of the defense team had "documented mental
health issues" and "can't deal with stress."
Donnelly asked that Greenberg and Leonard explain in writing why
they were pulling out. She also said she would not delay the
trial, which was originally scheduled for May 2020.
Farinella and Becker could not immediately be reached for
comment.
Known for such hits as "I Believe I Can Fly" and "Bump N'
Grind," Kelly, 54, has faced sexual abuse allegations dating
back more than two decades, including in the January 2019
Lifetime documentary "Surviving R. Kelly."
The Grammy Award-winning singer has pleaded not guilty to all
criminal charges in cases filed in New York, Illinois and
Minnesota, and has been held without bail for nearly two years.
Brooklyn prosecutors accused Kelly of running a criminal scheme
in which women and underage girls were recruited to have sexual
activity with him.
The Chicago case includes charges that Kelly engaged in sex acts
with five minors, and used threats to keep victims quiet.
According to court records, a trial is scheduled for September,
but the judge has asked both sides to propose a new date.
(Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware; additional
reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; editing by Jonathan
Oatis)
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