R. Kelly Formally Requests Trump Commute His 30-Year Prison Sentence

R. Kelly has formally petitioned President Trump to commute his 30-year prison sentence, according to court records released by the Office of the Pardon Attorney. The request is listed as pending and stops short of seeking a full pardon. Kelly’s attorney, Beau Brindley, previously filed an emergency motion claiming Kelly’s life was in danger, supported by a sworn declaration from a terminally ill inmate alleging officials offered his freedom in exchange for Kelly’s murder. Kelly, born Robert Sylvester Kelly, was convicted in September 2021 on nine counts including Mann Act violations and racketeering involving child sexual exploitation. He was sentenced to 30 years in 2022, followed by a separate 20-year sentence in 2023 for child sex crimes.