A judge in Illinois has rejected Grammy-award winning singer R Kelly's request to leave jail due to coronavirus fears, saying that he poses a flight risk and a "danger to the community, especially prospective witnesses".
The accused sex offender is awaiting trial in Chicago for child pornography and other charges.
A lawyer for Kelly had argued that forcing him to remain in jail is "tantamount to making [him] drink poison".
Prison reform advocates say jails are especially vulnerable to Covid-19, due to the impossibility of enforcing social distancing measures, as well as hygiene problems.
The accused sex offender is awaiting trial in Chicago for child pornography and other charges.
A lawyer for Kelly had argued that forcing him to remain in jail is "tantamount to making [him] drink poison".
Prison reform advocates say jails are especially vulnerable to Covid-19, due to the impossibility of enforcing social distancing measures, as well as hygiene problems.
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