Well, this is an interesting type of “crisis management.”
Darrell Johnson talked to the hosts of CBS This Morning about his client, born Robert Sylvester Kelly and publicly known as “R. Kelly”, who was recently charged with 18 new charges, including child pornography, by federal prosecutors in Illinois and New York.
“Mr. Kelly is a mess right now,” Johnson confided in the morning show hosts. “He’s afraid. He’s scared. He’s isolated.” Johnson also said he assumes Kelly is under suicide watch and is “absolutely” concerned Kelly will harm himself.
But here’s when things got interesting.
During the interview, co-host Gayle King also discussed Johnson’s own daughter, who is in her 20s. When King posed the question of whether or not he would allow his daughter to be alone with Kelly, Johnson’s response seemed to contradict his position as member of Kelly’s team who has come to his defense on several occasions.
“Absolutely not,” he said. “I wouldn’t leave my daughter with anybody that’s accused of pedophilia. Period.”
In his continued support of Kelly despite the mounting charges, Johnson also expressed concern around Kelly’s current “state of mind,” since being arrested and jailed earlier this month.
Nobody wants to be locked down 24 hours, no TV. He can’t read and write, so he can’t read a book. It’s almost as if a jury has convicted him,” Johnson said. “When you’re in the state of mind Mr. Kelly is in right now, any person, including myself and you, would probably want the authorities (to) be cautious of what has taken place.”
By Monday night, Johnson had resigned for “personal reasons,” after attempting to back track on comments about Kelly.
Kelly, who has been at the center of several sexual assault allegations for decades, is currently being held in a Chicago jail without bond as a result of the latest charges.
He has denied all sexual assault allegations against him.