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On Tuesday, June 10, attorneys representing R. Kelly submitted an emergency motion requesting his urgent release from prison. As reported by Variety, the legal team alleged that Kelly’s life is under serious threat while incarcerated. The singer is currently serving a 30-year sentence following multiple convictions related to sex crimes.

The motion argues that there is compelling evidence indicating that prison officials tried to recruit an inmate to assassinate Kelly. He is currently being held in a federal prison in North Carolina. Central to these claims is a purported sworn statement from Mikeal Glenn Stine, a terminally ill inmate in the same facility.

Stine Alleges Officials Promised Him Freedom for Killing Kelly

Stine claimed that correctional staff offered him release in exchange for killing Kelly, asserting that the officials were concerned about Kelly’s defense team uncovering incriminating evidence against them. According to his statement, Stine was told that he would face murder charges for the killing, but any evidence against him would be “mishandled,” ensuring no actual conviction.

The Express Tribune also reported that another inmate, David Keith Harris, alleged that he too was directed to poison Kelly. Both Stine and Harris reportedly agreed to undergo polygraph tests to support the credibility of their accusations.

Former Aryan Brotherhood Member Reveals Alleged Plot

Variety’s report noted that Stine, a former leader within the Aryan Brotherhood—a known white supremacist prison gang—arrived at Kelly’s unit in March 2025. Initially, he claimed he was prepared to carry out the murder, but eventually decided to come forward and expose the plan instead.

R. Kelly’s legal representatives further argued that additional threats have emerged. They claimed another gang member had been instructed to eliminate both Kelly and Stine. The presence of multiple Aryan Brotherhood affiliates in Kelly’s unit heightened the urgency of their motion.

The legal filing stated:

“More A.B. members are accumulating at his facility. More than one has already been approached about carrying out his murder. One of them will surely do what Mr. Stine has not, thereby burying the truth about what happened in this case along with Robert Kelly.”

Allegations of Constitutional Violations

The emergency motion also alleged that prison authorities and federal prosecutors violated Kelly’s constitutional rights. Specifically, it claimed that confidential legal communications were leaked by a staff member to a government informant, who used this privileged information to influence witness testimony against Kelly.

Background on R. Kelly’s Sentencing

In 2021, R. Kelly was convicted on charges including racketeering and violating the Mann Act, which involves transporting individuals across state lines for illegal sexual purposes. He received a 30-year prison sentence. In 2023, he was handed a separate 20-year sentence for additional sex-related crimes involving minors.