'American Idol's Caleb Kennedy Appears in Court Again, Judge Delays Bond

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Jill O’Rourke is a contributor at Talent Recap, writing news stories and recaps for shows like ‘AGT,’ ‘The Voice,’ and ‘American Idol.’ She graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in English and Film Studies, and has been writing about pop culture since 2012, with previous bylines at Crushable and A Plus. Jill spends her free time binge-watching sitcoms and daydreaming about life as a hobbit

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Former American Idol contestant Caleb Kennedy appeared in virtual bond court on Thursday in his felony DUI case. According to local news, the judge delayed bond for Kennedy once again. The 17-year-old is charged with allegedly driving off the road and hitting a man in his driveway.

Judge Once Again Delays Caleb Kennedy’s Bond

On February 8, Kennedy allegedly drove off the road in South Carolina while under the influence, hitting 54-year-old Larry Parris in his driveway. Parris later died from his injuries. Kennedy has been charged with felony driving under the influence resulting in death.

During Thursday’s bond hearing, the Spartanburg County Solicitor shared that, according to the toxicology report, Kennedy had .15 THC and 66 grams of Prozac in his system at the time of the incident. Kennedy previously said he had taken a “hit” from a vape pen before the crash.

Kennedy’s defense attorney Ryan Beasley reportedly said they need experts to determine which substance impaired him. Beasley also argued that Kennedy is “not a danger to the community” when requesting bond. Larry Parris’ wife Donna told the judge, “I ask for bond to be denied. He killed my husband.”

Kennedy will remain at the Spartanburg County Detention Center until a bond decision is made. The judge reportedly said she’ll take a day or two to decide on bond. This was Kennedy’s fourth time in court.

Kennedy Left ‘American Idol’ After Video Resurfaced

Kennedy’s DUI case isn’t his only controversy. The singer left American Idol Season 19 last year after video resurfaced in which he sat next to someone wearing what appeared to be a white Ku Klux Klan hood. At the time, Kennedy had made it to the Top 5.

After the video resurfaced, Kennedy’s mother, Anita Guy, said the clip was taken when her son was 12 years old, and claimed that the hood wasn’t a reference to the KKK. She argued that her son “doesn’t have a racist bone in his body.”

Months after his departure from the show, Kennedy joined the lineup at the Greenville Country Music Festival. He also released the song “Raised on Dirt,” which was the original track he was supposed to perform as part of the Top 5.

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