The story of R. Kelly’s sex trafficking crimes has come closer to finally reaching a conclusion thanks to yesterday's trial, as the R&B vocalist was found guilty of sex trafficking. Eleven accusers, including nine women and two men, described the sexual humiliation and violence that they were subjected to during a six week long trial. The jury made their decision after two days of deliberation, finding the musician guilty on all nine charges that he faced.
The sentencing will not commence until 4 May, however it is assumed that R. Kelly will spend a life sentence behind bars. The jury found that Kelly, full name Robert Sylvester Kelly, was the ringleader of a scheme that's aim was to coerce women and children for him to sexually abuse. He was found to also be trafficking women between US states. The verdict comes 13 years after R Kelly was acquitted of child pornography charges after a trial in Illinois.
Amongst the eight sexual assault convictions, Kelly was also found guilty of racketeering, usually used against crime organisations. Prosecutors detailed in the trial how his managers, security guards and other entourage members aided him in his crimes. The court also was informed on how Kelly illegally obtained paperwork so that he could marry singer Aaliyah in 1994 when she was only 15, before she died in a plane crash seven years later. Kelly wrote Aaliyah’s debut album in 1994, titled Age Ain't Nothing But a Number.
One victim testified that Kelly had imprisoned, drugged and raped her. She said in a written statement that she had been hiding from the singer, after death threats were made following her public accusations. She said after the trial: “I'm ready to start living my life free from fear and to start the healing process.”
Additional legal documents highlight that Kelly did not let his victims eat or use the bathroom without his permission. He also controlled their choices in clothing and made them call him “Daddy”.
Gloria Allred is the lawyer that represented multiple victims of Kelly, she stated after the verdict: “I've been practising law for 47 years. During this time, I've pursued many sexual predators who have committed crimes against women and children. Of all the predators that I have pursued, Mr Kelly is the worst."
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