UPDATED 9/4, 4:50 p.m. ET: R. Kelly’s alleged attacker has revealed his identity in court documents, saying he’s the one who jumped Kelly in jail.
TMZreports that the man, whose name is Jeremiah Shane Farmer, claimed “the government made me attack” Kelly, though he didn't give a reason why. He also said he did it as a way to expose government corruption, or in other words, he feels like the system didn’t give him a fair chance.
Court docs show that he’s representing himself and is incarcerated in the same Chicago Metropolitan Correctional Center as Kelly. Also included in Farmer’s filing is a Bureau of Prisons incident report that claims the fight took place on Aug. 26 around 9:45 a.m. According to the report, Farmer purportedly punched Kelly in the head and torso numerous times. A prison employee had to use pepper spray to stop the attack.
Kelly’s attorney, Steven Greenberg, told the outlet that Farmer is the one who attacked the singer. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana says Farmer is a gang member in the Latin Kings; A jury found him guilty last year for beating two men to death with a hammer as part of a racketeering conspiracy.
See original story below.
R. Kelly was allegedly attacked by another inmate, who jumped Kelly in his jail cell.
TMZ reports the incident took place at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago on Wednesday, where Kelly is currently jailed. The singer was sitting on his bed when a frustrated inmate reportedly entered the cell and started hitting Kelly.
Sources told the outlet that the upset inmate beat Kelly up after the facility was on lockdown a couple times due to Kelly protesters outside the prison. Insiders say the fight was short, and it’s unknown if the attack was broken up by another inmate or guards. A doctor allegedly examined Kelly and concluded he was okay and didn’t endure any serious injuries.
Chicago residents held a Free R. Kelly protest while a Save the Children rally was going on simultaneously in downtown Chicago. pic.twitter.com/UAN9yexafK
A spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Prisons told TMZ it can’t comment on the prison conditions or medical status of an inmate because of privacy and safety concerns.
Kelly’s attorney Steve Greenberg confirmed that the incident took place on Wednesday, according to ABC 7 Chicago. He said he wants the singer to be released on bail because the prison system can’t guarantee his safety. Kelly previously petitioned to be released from prison due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but a judge denied the request.
