R. Kelly Attacker Is A Gang Member, Singer Again Asks To Be Released From Jail

BY Erika Marie 12.9K Views
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R. Kelly, Attack, Prison
The inmate who beat R. Kelly revealed himself and said he did it to raise awareness about government corruption.

The prisoner responsible for a recently reported attack on R. Kelly has identified himself. Jeremiah Shane Farmer, a Latin Kings gang member, has shared his reasons for physically assaulting Kelly last week. The Chicago facility where R. Kelly is being held has reportedly been subject to numerous lockdowns due to the singer's supporters protesting outside of the jail, and it was believed that an irate inmate released their frustrations on Kelly, himself.

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According to the Chicago Tribune, Famer is facing a life sentence in connection to a 1999 double homicide and racketeering conspiracy charges. Farmer claims that he attacked Kelly in order to bring light to government corruption “in hopes of getting spotlight attention and world news notice."

The outlet further states that Farmer snuck away from "an employee," made his way to Kelly's cell, and "beat him [repeatedly] in the head while Kelly was in the lower bunk." It took pepper spray to stop Farmer's attack. Kelly lawyers want the correctional facility to be investigated because they suspect that a guard or some other personnel facilitated and allowed the incident to take place.

“It appears that MCC personnel simply followed Mr. Farmer, allowed him to carry out the attack, and then only intervened after Mr. Kelly had already sustained serious injuries,” Kelly’s attorney Michael Leonard alleged. The singer's lawyers have been attempting to get their client released while his case is being prepared and investigated, but Kelly continues to be denied at every turn.

“Mr. Kelly was the victim of an unprovoked attack while incarcerated at the MCC because of who he is,” attorney Thomas Farinella said. “It’s clear the Bureau of Prisons cannot adequately accommodate the need to keep him safe.”

[via]


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.