On June 13, 2025 singer R Kelly experienced overdose. He was rushed to Duke University Hospital in North Carolina. His lawyer claims that prison staff overdosed him on purpose.
Solitary Confinement and Medication Concerns
The incident followed Kelly’s placement in solitary confinement on June 10, shortly after his attorneys filed an emergency court motion. That motion claimed Kelly was the target of a murder scheme orchestrated by a prison conspirer. His lawyers further allege that prison staff “instructed” him to take a dangerous dose of medication on June 12, leading to dizziness, vision impairment, and collapse.
Diagnosed with Life‑Threatening Conditions
At Duke, doctors discovered blood clots in both his lungs and legs—conditions Kelly’s team says require urgent surgical intervention. However, after only two days, he was reportedly discharged against medical advice and returned to solitary confinement.
Alleged Murder Plot Inside Prison
Central to Kelly’s emergency filing is the shocking claim of a prison murder-for-hire plot. Attorneys cite a sworn statement from terminally ill inmate Mikeal Glenn Stine, allegedly a leader within the Aryan Brotherhood. Stine claims prison officials recruited him, and possibly others, offering early release in exchange for killing Kelly. Stine asserts he was told the murder assignment would be masked to avoid prosecution, but he ultimately refused and informed Kelly of the plan. He even passed a polygraph test to confirm his account.
Kelly’s Legal Team Seeks Home Detention
Using this information, Kelly’s lawyers have filed an urgent emergency motion, requesting that he be transferred to home confinement. Their motion asserts that his current conditions amount to cruel and unusual punishment, and that he faces immediate danger. Furthermore, they have appealed to former President Donald Trump to publicly intervene, believing he could help expose “corruption” within the prison system.
Prosecutors Push Back
Federal prosecutors have strongly disputed Kelly’s claims. They describe them as “fanciful,” “deeply unserious,” and mocking the suffering of his victims, emphasizing Kelly’s long record of child sexual abuse . They argue the court lacks authority to transfer him to home detention, and stress Kelly has shown no remorse.
Conditions and Health Deterioration
Following the hospitalization, Kelly was returned to solitary, where he has reportedly refused to eat, fearing his food may be poisoned. His legal team describes his confinement conditions as deplorable—he’s isolated in darkness, plagued by insects, and denied adequate medical care.
Upcoming Court Hearing
A crucial court hearing is scheduled for June 20 in Chicago. It will determine whether Kelly’s allegations justify temporary home confinement or call for further investigations. Simultaneously, his lawyers continue their broader effort to challenge his New York and Chicago convictions, on grounds of alleged constitutional violations, including tampering with attorney-client communications.
Looking Ahead
With serious health risks and potential in-prison threats, Kelly’s legal team is under mounting pressure. Whether the court will act on these emergency claims or side with prosecutors remains to be seen. The June 20 hearing promises to be pivotal in deciding his immediate fate. Kelly’s legal team argues that without immediate intervention, his life remains in jeopardy. They emphasize his deteriorating mental and physical condition as further evidence that continued incarceration poses unacceptable risks.
