R. Kelly is reportedly on suicide watch after being sentenced last week to 30 years behind bars on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking.
According to the Associated Press, the singer's lawsuit against The Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn (MDC Brooklyn) where he claims he was placed on suicide watch as a form of punishment has been denied by federal officials.
In fact, the Brooklyn U.S. Attorney's Office submitted documents on July 2nd stating that Kelly is under suicide watch “for his own safety” following a psychological assessment.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Melanie Speight said in the court filing that Kelly’s “current life circumstances undoubtedly bring emotional distress.”
She added, “He is a convicted sex offender who has been sentenced to spend the next three decades in prison. In the immediate future, he faces another federal criminal trial in Chicago for charges related to child pornography.”
Kelly previously alleged that his Eighth Amendment right is being violated after he was placed in a single cell at the detention center with no bed rails, shower or toiler paper. He also claims he was forced to eat his meals with his hands and has not received contact from family members.