R Kelly found guilty in sex trafficking trial
US Attorney Jacquelyn Kasulis speaks to the press on the guilty verdict of R Kelly at the Brooklyn Federal Court House on Monday Sept 27, 2021 in New York.
US singer R Kelly has been found guilty of exploiting his superstar status to run a scheme to sexually abuse women and children over two decades.
Nine women, and two men, took the stand over the six-week trail to describe sexual humiliation and violence at his hands. After two days deliberation, the Jury found Robert Sylvester Kelly guilty on all charges he was facing. Kelly was also found to have trafficked women between different US states, produced child pornography and engaged in kidnapping. One woman who testified that Kelly imprisoned, drugged and raper her said in a written statement after the verdict that she had “been hiding” from Kelly “due to threats made against me” since she went public with her accusations. “I am ready to start my life free from fear and to start the healing process” the woman identified in court as Sonja. Sentencing is due on 4th May and he could spend the rest of his live behind bars.
R Kelly was most famous for the award-winning song “I Believe I Can Fly”.