Controversial superstar, R Kelly was convicted by a federal jury on Monday of racketeering in his sex trafficking trial, where prosecutors accused the
Controversial superstar, R Kelly was convicted by a federal jury on Monday of racketeering in his sex trafficking trial, where prosecutors accused the R&B singer of exploiting his stardom over 25 years to deceive women and underage girls into his orbit for sex, according to Chicago Tribune.
In the indictment against the singer, whose real name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, prosecutors accused him of directing his employees to procure women for sex and sexually abusing numerous women.
Kelly, who also was found guilty on eight counts of sex trafficking, according to The New York Times, faces decades in prison.
Known for the 1996 Grammy-winning smash hit “I Believe I Can Fly,” Kelly, 54, pleaded not guilty to a racketeering charge and eight counts of violating a federal law making it illegal to transport people across state lines for prostitution.
Jurors,made up of seven men and five women began deliberations last Friday after hearing six weeks of testimony from 50 witnesses, including 45 for the prosecution.
The jurors took about 10 hours to reach their verdict, deliberating on Friday afternoon and Monday.
Prosecutors portrayed Kelly as a predator who used his fame and charisma to lure women and underage girls into his sphere, and then subject his victims to violent physical and sexual abuse, some of which he recorded.
CNN reports that during closing arguments, Assistant US Attorney Elizabeth Geddes said Kelly masterminded a scheme to “target, groom and exploit girls, boys and women.”
The R&B singer’s defense lawyers countered that he was generous with those around him, and said his accusers are liars looking for a payday through book contracts or the media after their relationships with Kelly or hoped-for music careers never took off.
Deveraux Cannick, one of the singer’s defence lawyers, argued that a celebrity like his client would have no need for a criminal enterprise to lure people for sexual activity. He “didn’t have to recruit women,” Cannick told jurors.
Kelly, who has been in custody for much of the time since he was formally charged in 2019, will remain incarcerated until his sentencing.
