A judge has granted R. Kelly permission to fire to members of his legal team.
U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly granted a request by Kelly’s top two attorneys, Steve Greenberg and Michael Leonard, to withdraw from the case after falling out with the remaining members of Kelly’s team of lawyers.
Greenberg and Leonard told the judge it would be “impossible” for them to continue representing Kelly.
His current attorneys Thomas Farinella, Douglas Anton and Nicole Becker say Leonard and Greenberg were fired, which they deny.
R. KELLY’S GAYLE KING INTERVIEW
“He (Kelly) does not wish to have Mr. Greenberg and Mr. Leonard represent him,” Farinella said last month. “We’re prepared to move forward with the trial so it will not affect the administration of the court’s calendar or the trial date.”
Greenberg told CNN that he felt that Kelly was “insistent that we work with people who we felt would be rendering in effective assistance as counsel.”
Kelly’s trial will begin August 18.