
R. Kelly's lawyers say prison officials tried to plot his murder, requests release: Reports
R. Kelly's lawyers are requesting his release after an alleged murder-for-hire plot in his North Carolina prison.
Born Robert Kelly, the 58-year-old singer has been serving a 30-year sentence for racketeering and sex trafficking since 2022. But lawyers for the "Ignition" singer say he should be moved from federal prison to home detention after three Bureau of Prisons officials allegedly devised a plot to have Kelly killed by another inmate, according to an emergency motion obtained by People and Variety.
USA TODAY has reached out to Kelly's lawyers and the Bureau of Prisons for comment.
Kelly's team provided a sworn statement from an inmate named Mikeal Stine, saying the officials offered to release him amid his terminal illness in exchange for Kelly's murder, the outlets reported. Stine, a leader of the Aryan Brotherhood, alleged he was previously directed to order beatings and killings by a prison official who also ordered the killing of Kelly, People reported. Stine said he was transferred in March to the Federal Correctional Institute facility in Butner, North Carolina – where Kelly is being held – and placed in the same unit.
Diddy ex-assistant 'Mia' recalls R. Kelly nightmare during trial
Once Stine carried out the killing, he claimed officials said he would be allowed to escape the facility and though he'd be charged with murder, evidence would be mishandled, resulting in no conviction, according to the outlets.
However, according to Stine's declaration, he had a change of heart and told Kelly about the plot. Kelly's lawyers also claim that in June, a second inmate with the Aryan Brotherhood was directed to kill both Stine and Kelly.
Kelly is serving his sentence in North Carolina after his 2021 and 2022 convictions for racketeering, sex trafficking, child pornography and enticement. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison in a Brooklyn federal court in 2022 and 20 years in a Chicago federal court in 2023, to be served concurrently. One year from the latter sentence is set to be served consecutively.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Hill
38 minutes ago
- The Hill
Prison reform laws could safely send thousands home — if they're enforced
The two of us have spent a good chunk of our lives on opposite sides of prison bars. One of us worked for 16 years in the federal Bureau of Prisons, including a stretch as acting director during the first Trump administration. The other spent 14 years in federal prison before fighting to help hundreds of thousands of incarcerated people earn their freedom and successfully reenter society. Despite these different backgrounds — or perhaps because of them — we agree on one thing: Our criminal justice system can and must do much more to enhance safety and justice for all Americans. That's why we were encouraged when, last month, the Bureau of Prisons quietly issued a new directive that will help incarcerated individuals return more quickly to their families and communities. Although we are optimistic, the devil is in the details. For this policy to succeed, it must be implemented fairly and consistently for all who qualify. The U.S. has made real progress on criminal justice over the past few decades. The crime rate has declined 61 percent since its peak in 1991. The prison population has shrunk by roughly 25 percent since 2009, and racial disparities have dropped by 40 percent. This progress came from thoughtful, bipartisan reforms. Between 2007 and 2018, 35 states passed sentencing and corrections reform laws. At the federal level, two landmark measures — the Second Chance Act and First Step Act — stand out. Signed in 2008 by President George W. Bush, the Second Chance Act funds state and local programs that help incarcerated people reenter their communities. Ten years later, Trump signed the First Step Act, which modified mandatory minimums, expanded opportunities for people to earn time credits toward early release and increased access to rehabilitative and vocational programs. Many were surprised when Trump, who had promised tougher sentences as he campaigned for office, championed the First Step Act. But he pressured Republicans in Congress to support it and enthusiastically signed it into law, calling it proof that 'America is a nation that believes in redemption.' In his second term, Trump has sent mixed signals so far. His Justice Department cut more than $500 million in state and local criminal justice grants, and Attorney General Pam Bondi rolled out new tough-on-crime policies. At the same time, Trump created a new 'pardon czar' position to advise him on presidential clemency decisions, appointing Alice Marie Johnson — who served over 20 years in federal prison before receiving clemency from Trump — to the role. The latest advancement came in June when Bureau of Prisons Director William K. Marshall III directed the bureau to fully implement both the Second Chance Act and First Step Act. Declaring 'the dawn of a new era,' Marshall promised the policy change would save money, reduce strains on corrections staff and facilities and make it easier for many incarcerated people to return home and contribute to society. This latter point is the centerpiece of the First Step Act. The act allows low-risk individuals who complete rehabilitative programs to earn 'time credits' which can be applied toward early release or to serve the remainder of their sentences in home confinement or residential reentry centers. Since its passage, the First Step Act has proven effective. A Council on Criminal Justice analysis found that individuals released under the First Step Act were 55 percent less likely to return to prison than people with similar profiles released before the law took effect. These lower recidivism rates held even among those considered higher risk by the Bureau of Prisons. Yet challenges remain. Despite receiving more than $400 million annually under the First Step Act, the Bureau of Prisons has long claimed it lacks the contract capacity to support home confinement and reentry centers. There has also been confusion about whether the First Step Act and Second Chance Act could be applied simultaneously. Both the Biden and Trump administrations initially said they could not, before allowing it. The new Bureau of Prisons policy promises to solve these issues, but its success will depend on implementation. The director's message must reach and be embraced by all corners of the system. We have seen encouraging signs thus far. This month, the Bureau of Prisons launched a task force to address logistical hurdles faced by staff — a promising step toward ensuring the policy is put into practice. Going forward, we see three top priorities. First, communication. With over 155,000 employees, the Bureau of Prisons must ensure every staff member understands this policy and why it matters. Second, training. Too often, people remain behind bars simply because staff aren't properly trained on how to apply the law. And third, accountability. Bureau of Prisons leaders must quickly address any staff who resist the changes — whether through correction or removal. In the early months of Trump's second term, we have seen America's political divides on display, from the 'big beautiful bill' to the bombing of Iran to new tariffs. Criminal justice reform should be an exception. It offers a rare opportunity for common ground — a chance to advance solutions that make our communities both safer and more just. Hugh Hurwitz worked for the Bureau of Prisons for more than 16 years, including as acting director during the first Trump administration, and is a member of the Council on Criminal Justice. Louis L. Reed, who served nearly 14 years in federal prison and later helped pass over 30 state and federal bills, including the First Step Act of 2018. He is a member of the Council on Criminal Justice's Board of Trustees.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
How Many Children Does Ozzy Osbourne Have? Meet the Late Rocker's Kids With Sharon and Thelma Riley
Ozzy Osbourne was a legend in the heavy metal world, but he was also a father of six and a dedicated family man. The Black Sabbath singer died at 76 years old on July 22, 2025, his family confirmed in a statement. 'It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning,' the statement read. 'He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.' Ozzy was survived by his wife, Sharon Osbourne, and their three children, Aimee, Kelly and Jack, as well as ex-wife Thelma Riley and their three kids, Elliot, Jessica and Louis. Kelly Osbourne and Sid Wilson's Relationship Timeline: From Friends to Lovers and More Below, Us Weekly shares everything to know about Ozzy's surviving children: Elliot Kingsley Ozzy met Riley in 1971 while she was working at a nightclub called Rum Runner in Birmingham, England. She had a 5-year-old son named Elliot at the time, whom Ozzy went on to adopt after he and Riley tied the knot later that year. The identity of Elliot's biological father has not been publicly revealed. While not much is known about Elliot, he is reportedly an actor and has appeared in stage performances of Romeo and Juliet and Fiddler on the Roof. Jessica Osbourne After Ozzy married Riley, the pair welcomed daughter Jessica in 1972. Today, Jessica leads a mostly private life in England. Though she never appeared on camera on her father and his second wife's MTV show The Osbournes, Jessica did call Ozzy in season 2 to share that he was a grandfather for the first time. She had given birth to a daughter named Isabella. Later, Jessica welcomed kids Harry and Kitty. Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Osbourne's Family Album Louis Osbourne In addition to Jessica, Ozzy and Riley shared son Louis, who was born in 1975. Like his sister, Louis has mostly remained out of the spotlight. However, he was present for Ozzy's final Black Sabbath concert in Birmingham, England, on July 5, 2025. "I was sobbing at times. It was everything we wanted it to be and more," he wrote on Facebook after the show, according to BBC. "I had been anxious for months about this as I've been worried about my dad's ability to perform with his Parkinson's disease." Louis continued, "I just wanted it to be a dignified send off for him. But as soon as he started singing we knew he was gonna nail it." Louis met wife Louise in 2002, and the pair tied the knot in Ireland later that year. They now live in Birmingham, where Louis works as a label owner, DJ and producer. The couple shares two kids, Elijah and Maia. Aimee Osbourne After Ozzy and Riley divorced in 1982, he tied the knot with Sharon. The couple then welcomed daughter Aimee in London in September 1983. Aimee lived with her parents in California until she was 16 years old, moving out after they began filming The Osbournes with her siblings Kelly and Jack. "I had grown up around having a pretty well-known dad anyway, and ... I always really valued my privacy within that family," she said on New York's Q104.3 radio station. "And for me personally, and for who I am, you know, as far as morally and also just to give myself a chance to actually develop into a human being as opposed to just being remembered for being a teenager, it didn't really line up with what I saw my future as." Despite not agreeing with her family's reality TV path, Aimee followed in her dad's footsteps with her music career. She became the lead singer of the band ARO in 2015, with the band's first single, "Raining Gold," inspired by her experience as the daughter of a famous rockstar. "I wanted the song to touch on how overwhelming and isolating it feels to be constantly misunderstood and the importance of choosing to break free from that and just believing in yourself," Aimee told Rolling Stone. "It's so valuable to always try and put yourself in someone else's shoes. I hope this song reminds people of that." Kelly Osbourne Ozzy and Sharon welcomed daughter Kelly in London in October 1984. Kelly Osbourne Details Her Conversations About Parenting With 'Beat Shazam' Cohost Nick Cannon While appearing on The Osbournes from 2002 to 2005, Kelly began pursuing a music career. She released her debut album, Shut Up!, in 2002, followed by Sleep in Nothing in 2005. However, she ultimately followed in Sharon's footsteps by becoming a TV host and judge on Project Runway, Project Catwalk and Fashion Police. Kelly also competed on Dancing With the Stars in 2009 and finished in third place. Kelly began dating Slipknot's Sid Wilson in 2022. The pair welcomed son Sidney later that year. They also got engaged backstage at Ozzy's final Black Sabbath concert. "F*** off, you're not marrying my daughter," Ozzy jokingly told Wilson, as seen in a video shared via Kelly's Instagram. However, Wilson told her, 'Nothing would make me happier than to spend the rest of my life with you. So, in front of your family and all of our friends, Kelly, will you marry me?' Jack Osbourne Sharon and Ozzy welcomed son Jack in November 1985 in London. The family lived in the U.K. until Jack was 6 years old, at which point they relocated to California temporarily before going back to England. However, when Jack was 11 years old, they moved from England back to California. Kelly Osbourne Says Son's 'Terrible Twos' Have Left Her 'Exhausted': 'It's Insane' Jack has followed his own path, becoming a paranormal investigator. However, he still involved his parents in his career. His Travel Channel series The Osbournes Want to Believe features Jack showing Ozzy and Sharon footage of paranormal activity and asking for their input. Jack was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at 26 years old in 2012. 'I have had some alternative therapy treatments over the years. I do not take traditional MS medication currently,' he said on 'The Osbournes Podcast' in 2024. Jack married actress Lisa Stelly in October 2012, and the pair welcomed daughters Pearl Clementine, Andy Rose and Minnie Theodora. He and Stelly divorced in March 2019, and he got engaged to Aree Gearhart in December 2021. Jack and Gearhart welcomed daughter Maple Artemis in March 2022. Solve the daily Crossword


Buzz Feed
a day ago
- Buzz Feed
21 Hit Songs You Never Knew Were Actually Covers
Many people prefer certain song covers to the original, which is perfectly fine. On the other hand, there are songs that people are clueless about, even if they are song covers in the first place! Which means I can now rock out to two versions of these classics! Here are 21 songs you didn't know were actually covers: "1985" by Bowling for Soup is a cover of the song by American pop-punk band SR-71, which was released just two months earlier in Japan before the manager believed it was a better fit for Bowling for Soup. Although probably more well-known, the emotional song "Hurt" by Johnny Cash is a cover of the song performed by the rock band Nine Inch Nails. "Respect" by Aretha Franklin is a cover of Otis Redding's 1965 song by the same name. Franklin really flipped the lyrics on their head to create an all-time classic. "Renegades of Funk" by Rage Against the Machine is a cover of the Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force song of the same name. The song "It's My Life" by No Doubt is a cover of the English band Talk Talk's original release in 1984. The iconic "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston is a cover of the 1974 song by Dolly Parton, which was featured on her famous album "Jolene." An absolute shocker to my '90s brain, but the 1997 hit song "Torn" by Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia is actually a cover originally sung by American rock band Ednaswap, which was released in 1995. The popular song "Don't Cha" by The Pussycat Dolls is a cover of the original song by Tori Alamaze. The popular '80s hit "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell is a cover of Gloria Jones's "Tainted Love," released in 1964. The song "Superman" by R.E.M. is a cover of "Superman" by The Clique. A B-Side track on the album "White Tornado," it's an R.E.M. gem. The mega summer hit from 1999 "Mambo No. 5" by Lou Bega is a sample of the original version by Cuban musician Dámaso Pérez Prado from 1950. The 1992 song "Achy Breaky Heart" by Billy Ray Cyrus is a cover of "Don't Tell My Heart," which was first recorded in 1991 by The Marcy Brothers. The song "If I Were A Boy" by Beyoncé was performed initially by BC Jean in 2008. The song "Black Magic Woman" by Santana is a cover of the song by Fleetwood Mac. Mind blown. In my defense, the Santana version has more views on YouTube than any other version by Fleetwood Mac. "Blinded by the Light" by Manfred Mann's Earth Band might be the more popular version, but it was originally written and recorded by Bruce Springsteen. The popular Joan Jett & the Blackhearts song "I Love Rock 'n Roll" is a cover of the British glam band Arrow's song "I Love Rock 'n 'Roll." "Dancing in the Moonlight" by the English band Toploader is a cover of the song originally recorded by Sherman Kelly's band, Boffalongo, which first released it in 1970. Then, Kelly rereleased the song with his new band, King Harvest, in 1972. So, technically, Kelly covered his own song. "Black Betty" by Ram Jam is a cover of a song credited to songwriter Huddie Ledbetter. The oldest recorded version was performed by James "Iron Head" Baker and a group of Texas prisoners in the 1930s. "Take Me to the River" by American rock band Talking Heads is a cover of the 1974 soul song by Al Green. The 1995 hit "Gangster's Paradise" by Coolio (ft. L.V.) is actually a cover of Stevie Wonder's "Pastime Paradise" from 1976. Lastly, and mainly for the youngins, Post Malone's cover of the alternative rock song "Only Wanna Be With You," originally released by Hootie & the Blowfish, is now a pop song featured in the Pokémon 25 soundtrack, which has 18M views on YouTube. Is there a song you were stunned to learn was a cover? Comment below (the song and artists)!