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American singer R Kelly was convicted of using his star status to carry out a scheme of sexual exploitation of women and children that lasted more than twenty years.
The 11 prosecutors, including nine women and two men, gave their statements in a heated six-week trial, describing how they were subjected to humiliation and sexual violence at Kelly’s part.
After two days of deliberation, the jury found Kelly guilty of all counts.
The verdict is slated for May 4, which could lead Kelly to spend the rest of her life behind bars.
The jury found that Kelly, whose full name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, carried out a violent and coercive ploy to seduce women and children into sexual abuse.
Kelly, known for the song I Believe I Can Fly, has been convicted of trafficking women across the United States, producing child pornography and being involved in kidnappings.
Following the indictment, one of the plaintiffs, who accused Kelly of imprisoning, drugging and raping her, said she
She has been “hidden” from the singer because of “threats” she has been subjected to since she denounced the charges.
“Now I am ready to live my life freely and fearlessly and to start healing my wounds,” added the complainant, who identified herself as Sonja, in a statement.
The case documents also revealed the psychological torture to which Kelly subjected her victims. They weren’t allowed to eat or use the toilet without his permission, and he would check what they were wearing and call them “my dad”.
Gloria Allred, who represented several of Kelly’s victims in court, told media: “I have been in law for 47 years. During that time I have prosecuted many sex offenders against women and children. “
“Of all the people I’ve looked for… Kelly is the worst,” Allred added.
At a court press conference, Attorney General Jacqueline Casoulis said the jury with that conviction sent a message to strong men like Kelly.
“No matter how long it takes, the long arm of the law will follow you,” Casoulis added.
The decision comes 13 years after Kelly was acquitted of child pornography charges after a trial in Illinois.
Most of the allegations of sexual abuse of R Kelly first appeared in 2019 in a documentary called “Surviving R Kelly”.
The victims were sometimes chosen from the audience at Kelly’s concerts or from those he attempted to reach after he offered them help and support early in their career in the music business when they had the opportunity to meet the famous singer.
But after joining Kelly, they find themselves subject to strict rules and severe penalties for violation, the rules that the American singer’s team calls “Rob Rules.”
The court added to the sex trafficking charges a charge of extortion – usually against organized crime gangs. During the trial, prosecutors explained how Kelly’s managers, security guards and members of his team aided him in his criminal activities.
In that case, the court also learned how Kelly illegally obtained documents to marry Alia, a minor who died in a plane crash in 2001 after marrying Kelly at the age of 15.
Kelly’s lawyer Devero Kanek said his client did not expect a conviction.
“The government chose their version which they felt would support the continuation of the narrative,” Kanek said, asking, “How can he (Kelly) expect to be sentenced in light of all these inconsistencies we’ve seen ? “
Kelly faces charges in another child pornography and obstruction of justice case. He is to be charged with other sexual assault charges in Illinois and Minnesota.
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