R. Kelly’s physician testifies the singer had H*RPES since at least 2007 as prosecutors allege he knowingly infected people
R. Kelly's personal physician of 25 years testified in court on Thursday about his treatment of the singer's genital herpes since at least 2007. This follows allegations from prosecutors that the singer knowingly infected multiple people with the incurable sexually transmitted disease. The testimony is part of Kelly's trial where he has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering and violating an anti-sex trafficking law. Separate charges against him include federal child pornography and obstruction charges, as well as state charges for multiple counts of criminal sexual abuse.
Kris McGrath, Kelly's physician specializing in internal medicine, testified that he suspected Kelly had genital herpes as early as June 2000, but a lab test at the time gave a false negative result. McGrath said he recommended Kelly inform his partners about his diagnosis and confirmed the recommended treatment for the disease. McGrath testified that Kelly or his associates would frequently call him for refills of the treatment drug, Valtrex. The physician did not document an official herpes diagnosis for Kelly, however.
The case against Kelly includes allegations of knowingly infecting women with herpes, which violates public health laws that require individuals to notify their partners about their diagnosis. While this law is not commonly prosecuted, testimony from a doctor who treated Kelly can serve as damning evidence if it can be proven that Kelly knew about his infection and continued to have sexual intercourse without informing his partners.