R. Kelly’s Lawyers Ask to Dismiss Herpes Charge From Forthcoming Trial

R. Kelly’s 2021 trial is close to being underway. While jury selection, R. Kelly’s lawyers have petitioned the courts to throw out charges that he knowingly exposed two people to herpes.

TMZ received court documents that show the singer’s legal team has presented a statement that herpes does not meet the definition of a sexually transmitted infection as laid out by the New York State Department of Health.

“To allow the government to move forward with those counts would be to allow a clear mischaracterization and interpretation of the application of the statute, considering the statute clearly does not incorporate herpes,” Kelly’s lawyer, Thomas Farinella, wrote.

The Associated Press reveals 12 jurors and six alternates will be picked. Hundreds of potential jurors showed in the federal courthouse on Monday. R. Kelly’s trial begins on August 18.