Latest R Kelly News, R Kelly is Arrested. R. Kelly: American singer found guilty of sex trafficking, could face life in prison
Kelly was also tried for child pornography in 2019 and was cleared of these charges.
Using his reputation and position, American singer R. Kelly was convicted of a number of crimes, including molesting women and children and trafficking in sex for 20 years.
A total of 11 plaintiffs, nine women, and two men, detailed the sexual harassment and violence they had experienced by R. Kelly during the six-week hearings in New York.
After two days of closed deliberation, the jury found Kelly guilty of all charges.
The sentence for R. Kelly will be determined on May 4. The American singer could spend the rest of his life behind bars with these accusations. The singer, whose full name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, was found guilty of sexually abusing women by trapping, deceiving, or coercing them. Some victims said they were children when they were abused. The singer, who won multiple awards for her song ‘I Believe I Can Fly, was also found guilty of interstate sex trafficking.
R Kelly News ‘Worst sex hunter I’ve ever seen in my life as a lawyer’
In court, a woman told in her written statement that Kelly had kidnapped her, locked her up, drugged her, and raped her. The woman said Kelly had been hiding from the singer since she made the accusations public because she had made “threats against her”.
“I am ready to live my life without fear and start the healing process,” said the woman, who was called ‘Sonja’ in court.
Another victim, Lizette Martinez, said the decision was “comfortable”. “I’m proud of women who speak the truth,” Martinez said.
The legal documents submitted to the court also included details of the psychological pressure Kelly applied to the victims. Victims were not allowed to eat or go to the bathroom without Kelly’s permission. The American singer was controlling what clothes the victims would wear and wanted them to call him ‘Daddy’.
Lawyer Gloria Allred, representing some of the victims, told reporters:
“I’ve been a lawyer for 47 years. During that time I’ve been chasing multiple sex hunters who have committed crimes against women and children. Kelly was the worst of all.”
Prosecutor Jacquelyn Kasulis said at a press conference outside the courtroom that the court jury also sent messages to strongmen like Kelly.
“No matter how long it takes, the arm of the law will catch you one day,” Kasulis said.
Kelly has cleared of child pornography charges in another case in the state of Illinois 13 years ago.
He was luring in his net
Most of the allegations in the case were included in the documentary ‘Surviving R Kelly’ released in 2019.
Victims were sometimes chosen from the audience who came to his concert or tricked into a web of abuse with the promise of helping his music career.
But once they entered Kelly’s circle, they were subject to strict rules and faced heavy penalties if they broke the rules. Kelly’s team called these rules ‘Rob’s rules’.
Alongside the sex trade, Kelly was also convicted of racketeering, often directed against organized crime syndicates. In court, prosecutors also described how Kelly’s agents, security guards and others around him helped the criminal network.
The court also stated that Kelly falsified documents in order to marry the underage singer Aaliyah. Aaliyah died in a plane crash in August 2001, after marrying Kelly at the age of 15.
Kelly’s lawyer, Deveraux Cannick, said his client did not expect to be convicted “due to inconsistencies”.
Kelly is also on trial in Chicago on charges of child pornography and obstruction of justice in a separate trial. There are separate sexual harassment charges against the American singer in Illinois and Minnesota.