R. Kelly admitted to marrying Aaliyah so she could have an abortion, ‘Jane Doe’ testifies

NEW YORK R&B singer R. Kelly infamously married Aaliyah Haughton at the age of 15 in 1994 – and a grim motivation for marriage was alleged in federal court on Monday.

A second Jane Doe testified outside the Brooklyn Federal Courthouse in New York City to testify that R. Kelly told her he married the singer known simply as Aaliyah at the age of 15 so that ‘she can have an abortion.

Doe, 23, testified that Kelly got her several girlfriends together so they could ask her whatever they wanted. She testified that when asked to explain why he married Aaliyah, who died in a plane crash in 2001, he said that only parents and spouses could legally allow a minor to have an abortion.

She also said he gave Aaliyah money and a secret “bat phone” for her to reach in an emergency.

Aaliyah is named as another Jane Doe in the federal case against Kelly, who is charged with one count of racketeering and four counts of violating the Mann Act, which prohibits taking minors across the borders of the State for the purpose of prostitution.

Kelly met Aaliyah when she was 12 and started writing and producing music for her, including her debut album, “Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number”.

His former tour manager, Demetrius Smith, who reluctantly testified on Friday and Monday, admitted to bribing someone he knew at the welfare office with $ 500 so Aaliyah could get fake ID so that she and Kelly, who was 27 at the time, could get married. .

Smith told the courtroom that he was present when the two got a marriage license and when they got married casually in a Chicago Sheraton. Shortly after exchanging their vows, Kelly was gone for her show, he said.

“It shouldn’t have happened. It was wrong, ”Smith said. Before being interrupted by Judge Ann Donnelly, he added, “I shouldn’t be talking about Aaliyah because she’s not here.”

Doe will continue his testimony on Tuesday.