E. Jason Wambsgans/AFP via Getty Images
(NEW YORK) Two of R. Kelly s top lawyers no longer want to represent the disgraced R&B singer just two months before he’s scheduled to stand trial in a Brooklyn, New York, federal court on sex abuse charges.
Lead defense attorney Steve Greenberg and Michael Leonard filed a request to withdraw from the case Monday. They told a judge during a status conference Wednesday they no longer want to represent Kelly, citing a lack of cooperation with his two other lawyers.
“Everyone wants to do opening, everyone wants to do closing, and that just can’t be,” Greenberg said Wednesday. “It got to the point where we went to discuss these concerns with Mr. Kelly. Mr. Kelly wouldn’t meet with us.”
Scott Olson/Getty ImagesTwo months before R. Kelly is scheduled to stand trial in a Brooklyn, New York, federal court on sex-abuse charges, two defense attorneys have decided to part with the singer's legal team. Good Morning America reports Steve Greenberg and Michael Leonard filed a motion to withdraw from the case Monday. During a status conference Wednesday, the two lawyers told the judge they no longer wish to represent Kelly because of lack of cooperation with his two other lawyers. "Everyone wants to do opening, everyone wants to do closing, and that just can't be," Greenberg said. "It got to the point where we went to discuss these concerns with Mr. Kelly. Mr. Kelly wouldn't meet with us." Another defense attorney, Thomas Farinella, asserted that "Mr. Kelly terminated Mr. Greenberg and Mr. Leonard" in a notice sent to them last week. Judge Anne Donnelly ordered the defense attorneys to file papers detailing their reasonin
R.Kelly tells court he fired two defense lawyers two months ahead of trial
Entertainment
R. Kelly, 54, has faced sexual abuse allegations dating back more than two decades
R. Kelly told a federal judge on Wednesday that he fired two of his defense lawyers, exposing deep rifts in the singer s legal defense team ahead of his August sex abuse trial in New York.
Kelly confirmed to US District Judge Ann Donnelly in Brooklyn that he fired Steve Greenberg and Michael Leonard, leaving him with two defense lawyers. Is that what your wish is? Donnelly asked Kelly during a hearing conducted by telephone.
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