R. Kelly’s push for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump is facing fierce rejection from the family of Joycelyn Savage, who say their daughter is still unaccounted for and under the disgraced singer’s control.
Gerald Griggs, the Savage family’s attorney, told TMZ the family is vehemently against any effort to release R. Kelly from prison, citing their ongoing belief that Joycelyn remains under his influence.
According to Griggs, R. Kelly should not be freed because Joycelyn Savage is still missing, believed to be under R. Kelly’s direct authority.
The family previously said they haven’t had direct contact with Joycelyn since a brief phone call in 2019.
Her parents, Timothy and Jonjelyn Savage have long accused Kelly of isolating their daughter and controlling her communication.
“We tried to reach out to Joycelyn when my father passed. We have to always reach out through [Kelly’s] camp,” Timothy said in a 2021 interview.
Jonjelyn referred to past phone calls with Joycelyn as “scripted,” adding “We would like to have a one-on-one discussion with you as a family.”
The Savages Reveal They Have Spoken To Jonjelyn Since 2019
Kelly, who is serving a 30-year sentence for sex trafficking and child pornography, is now seeking clemency from Trump.
His legal team claims he’s the target of a murder-for-hire plot inside prison, alleging that correctional officers offered a terminally ill Aryan Brotherhood member early release in exchange for killing him.
They also say he’s been subjected to forced medication and solitary confinement.
Prosecutors have dismissed the claims as meritless. A judge is scheduled to hear arguments on the matter Thursday (June 20).
Kelly’s legal troubles began with a series of federal indictments, including charges of child pornography and coercion of minors. He was convicted in New York and later sentenced again in Chicago. His defense team says new evidence could overturn the conviction.
The Savage family, however, says none of that changes the fact that they still don’t know where their daughter is or what condition she’s in.