R. Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison on June 29, convicted of multiple sex trafficking charges. But apparently, one of his alleged sex crime victims doesn’t mind that he’ll potentially be behind bars for the rest of his life.
On Monday (July 11), TMZ obtained legal documents showing the embattled R&B singer is engaged to Joycelyn Savage, at least that’s how she introduced herself in a letter to Judge Ann Donnelly prior to sentencing.
“My name is Joycelyn Savage and I’m Robert Kelly’s fiancée,” the letter begins. “I’m not the victim that the government has portrayed me to be. My relationship with Robert is amazing. He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. We have a very special connection and are deeply in love. I still support Robert to this day because I love him and will always be here to support him.”
An attorney for Savage’s parents, Gerald Griggs, revealed their daughter never told them about the engagement and found the timing of her announcement strange. Consequently, they have “strong doubts” about the impending marriage.
In 2020, Savage and fellow alleged sex crime victim Azriel Clary angrily defended R. Kelly during an interview with CBS Mornings and were adamant there was nothing inappropriate with their relationships. Their families begged to differ, saying they were simply “brainwashed.”
R. Kelly’s attorney Jennifer Bonjean plans to appeal his sentence. During a post-sentencing press conference, Bonjean called the additional Racketeer Influenced & Corrupt Organization (RICO) act charge “inappropriate.”
“These were not a RICO act violation,” Bonjean said at the 2:36-minute mark. “These were isolated events that happened many years and the government simply tried to plead around the statute of limitations to bring in a RICO charge, which was inappropriate.
“All I can tell you is there was no enterprise. There was no enterprise. It was one man with allegations by a number of women, which doesn’t make it an enterprise, and that is why he’s not guilty of racketeering. Bonjean added she was “excited” about the appeal and “confident” their arguments will persuade the court of appeals.