Photo Credit: R Kelly/Instagram
R Kelly is going to have to be on the hunt for new attorneys and just 2 months before his next court date. His top two attorneys Steven Greenberg and Michael Leonard are pulling the plug. Their reasons are that it’s impossible to work with who they’ve described as an ego-filled team more in it for themselves than their client. They also described them as being inexperienced.
George and Leonard both told TMZ, “We refused to try a case with lawyers who don’t have the appropriate level of experience and skill because that is not in the client’s best interest. It is a shame that lawyers can’t suppress their own egos or self interest and do or act in the client’s best interest.”
In a letter written by Greenberg to Judge Ann Donnelly obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times, he said that he and Leonard would if the court deemed fit stand “as effective stand-by counsel.”
“While we recognize 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,” he said.
“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.”
“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,” the attorney told the Sun-Times. “That approach was not to everyone’s liking.”
Echoed Leonard: “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.”
Now Kelly’s other attorneys seem to have a different outlook on the matter telling Fox News, “The only comment we have at this time is that Mr. Kelly terminated both lawyers prior to filing their motion.”
Kelly has lost several motions to get out on bail because of fear of getting COVID and the number of health issues he’s cited as claiming to have.
However this legal shakeup works out, his next court date is August 9th with federal charges of racketeering, sexual exploitation of a child, kidnapping, forced labor and bribery. He has a separate set of charges of sexual abuse in Illinois that Greenberg is on but Leonard. We’ll be reporting on any updates.
