R. Kelly ‘engaged to one of his victims’ before sentencing
R. Kelly, the embattled singer, is said to have gotten engaged to marry Joycelyn Savage, one of his alleged victims.
The R&B star was given a 30-year sentence on June 29 after he was convicted of racketeering and sex trafficking.
This is as Kelly is to separately face trial in August in Chicago on child sex images and obstruction charges.
According to TMZ, Savage wrote in a letter to a federal judge before the sentencing that Kelly was her fiancee.
“I’m Robert Kelly’s fiancé,” the 26-year-old disclosed to the judge named Ann Donnelly on June 13 in the letter.
“I’m writing this letter in support of Robert in advance of his sentencing, so I can explain to the court that I’m not the victim that the government has portrayed me to be.”
Savage, in the letter, described her relationship with Kelly as “amazing.” She added that he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to her.
Savage also claimed Kelly always made sure her needs were met, as well as “any other women he was with.”
“We have a very special connection and are deeply in love. Robert is not the monster that the government has described him to be. The Robert I know is very sweet, gentle, and kind,” she continued.
“He’s very determined and focused on his goals, and the things that have been said about him, with me and other women being held against our will is absolutely untrue.
“It breaks my heart that the government has created a narrative that I’m a victim.
“I’m a grown woman, and can speak for myself which is why I wanted to provide this letter to the court.
“[Kelly] is a great man, with a great heart and deserves to be home with his loved ones who are ready to support him.”
Gerald Griggs, an attorney for Savage’s parents, was quoted as saying that the alleged victim never made the engagement known to the family.
The attorney also said they had never spoken about the possibility beforehand.
Griggs disclosed that it was odd that Savage didn’t testify about it under oath but slipped it into the letter to the court.
He said the family “strongly doubts” the engagement story and looks to reconnect with Savage to get the full story.