NEW YORK (ABC7 Chicago) -- The Chicago-based lawyers representing R. Kelly in his New York trial have asked to withdraw from the case.
In a letter to a federal judge in New York, Steve Greenberg & Michael Leonard asked to step back from the case.
"Our reasons for withdrawal are significant & it is impossible, in our belief, for us to be able to continue to properly represent Mr. Kelly under the current circumstances," Greenberg wrote in a letter to the judge.
Kelly is set to appear in August on federal sex trafficking charges.
Greenberg said in a statement: "Ultimately, as trial lawyers & in the interests of the client, we weren't comfortable professionally with allowing lawyers who have never tried federal criminal cases to have significant trial responsibilities. That approach was not to everyone's liking."
Greenberg also said that he plans on making a similar request with the judge presiding over Kelly's case here in Chicago.
The remaining lawyers, however, said the two were terminated.
Two other attorneys remain a part of Kelly's legal team - Tom Farinella and Nicole Becker.
Farinella & Becker said in a joint statement to CNN, "The only comment we have at this time is that Mr. Kelly terminated both lawyers prior to filing their motion."
US District Judge Ann M. Donnelly, who would need to approve Greenberg & Leonard's departure from the case, has set a status conference to discuss the matter on Wednesday at 11 a.m.
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