Disgraced singer R. Kelly now penniless and overweight in jail

Disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly says he’s so broke he can’t even afford to pay for court transcripts on the eve of his sex-trafficking trial.

Disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly says he’s so broke he can’t even afford to pay for court transcripts on the eve of his sex-trafficking trial – and has gained so much weight while behind bars he needs new clothes.

Kelly appeared in Brooklyn federal court for a hearing ahead of his trial, which begins on Monday with jury selection.

A judge also ruled on Tuesday that prosecutors will also be allowed to present evidence that the Grammy winner had “sexual contact” with singer Aaliyah when she was as young as 13, before the pair married in 1994 when she was 15.

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Seen here in 2019, R.Kelly is reportedly broke ahead of his trial. Picture: Antonio Perez - Pool via Getty Images

One of the biggest R&B singers of the ’90s, R. Kelly has been behind bars in recent years. Picture: AFP

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“His finances are depleted,” his lawyer, Devereaux Cannick, told Judge Ann Donnelly. “I ask the court to give him daily copies of the transcripts.”

Mr Cannick also said his client has also “gained weight since he’s been incarcerated”.

“We need measurements for appropriate attire for his trial,” he said. “We’re trying to get his measurements. How can we take his size?”

“I’m not taking his size,” Judge Donnelly shot back.

The 54-year-old I Believe I Can Fly singer is accused of employing an entourage to find young women and girls for him to have sex with for years.

He was arrested in Chicago in 2019 by the NYPD and federal agents, and transported to New York in late June that year – and now faces charges in both cities.

Last month, prosecutors detailed a slew of new disturbing allegations against the singer, whose real name is Robert Sylvester Kelly.

The singer’s marriage to Aaliyah had been widely reported, but Kelly and his attorneys had not previously admitted the troubling tryst. Aaliyah died in a 2001 plane crash.

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Kelly continues to maintain his innocence. Picture: Getty Images

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In court on Tuesday, Kelly looked sombre and rocked back and forth in his chair – and even dozed off and snored at one point.

Kelly, who has been locked up in the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn for the past two years, continues to maintain his innocence.

“He is tired of hearing allegations,” Mr Cannick told The Post outside the courthouse. “He knows the truth and I think it’s very frustrating for him to hear these allegations and know the truth is out there and he just wants it to unfold.

“He believes that when folks are under oath and being examined we would be able to get to the truth,” Mr Cannick said.

Opening statements at the trial are due to get under way on August 18.

This story originally appeared on Page Six and is republished here with permission

Originally published as Disgraced singer R. Kelly now penniless and overweight in jail