R. Kellys lawyer held a press conference Friday night outside the Chicago police station where the singer turned himself in to face 10 charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
I suspect this is succumbing to public pressure, Kellys lawyer Steven Greenberg told the media. I think [prosecutors] shouldnt have rushed to judgment. Hes an innocent man.
On Friday, the Cook County States Attorney indicted Kelly on 10 counts based on the singers alleged sexual encounters with four women, including three that were underage at the time. The charges came just a week after lawyer Michael Avenatti acquired a previously unseen sex tape that allegedly depicts Kelly and an underage girl.
I havent watched Avenattis tape. I wonder why [Cook County district attorney] Kim Foxx isnt investigating him for watching child porn, for disseminating child porn, which Im sure hes done many times, Greenberg said, adding that Avenatti is a coward who blocked me from his Twitter account.
However, Greenberg noted that one of the charges appears to involve the same alleged victim from the earlier tape, which resulted in a 2008 trial where Kelly was acquitted.
Double jeopardy should bar that case. [Kelly] won that case, Greenberg added.
Asked about his clients wellbeing, the lawyer said, Mr. Kelly is strong. Hes got a lot of support and hes going to be vindicated on all these charges, the Associated Press reports.
Prior to Kellys surrender to police, when news spread early Friday that the singer had been indicted on charges, Greenberg told CBS Chicago that his client was a sacrificial lamb.
Theres no merit to any of this, he added. Hell be acquitted because he didnt do anything.
Kellys bail hearing is scheduled for Saturday; the singer spent Friday night in police custody, Chicago police spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi tweeted.