R. Kelly has today been found guilty in his sex trafficking trial.
The singer was accused of exploiting his stardom to lure in women and underage girls for sex.
Jurors in Brooklyn federal court deliberated for a little more than one day before voting to convict the 54-year-old Kelly on all nine counts he faced, after a 5-1/2 week trial.
Prosecutors said the R&B singer “took advantage of his fame and charisma” in a bid to recruit victims as he picked individuals from the crowds at his concerts while victims believed he could jumpstart their careers.
It was said in court that he demanded strict obedience from his victims who hoped for a career boost and would punish them if they failed.
(Image: REUTERS)
Kelly has repeatedly denied sexual abuse accusations.
He had been charged with one count of racketeering and eight counts of violating the Mann Act, prohibiting transporting people across state lines for prostitution.
The singer, whose full name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, was tried on sex charges following the MeToo movement, with accusations since the early 2000s surrounding him.
Kelly’s alleged victims included the late singer Aaliyah, who Kelly briefly and illegally married in 1994 when she was 15. Aaliyah died in a plane crash in 2001.
(Image: Getty Images)
In January 2019, the documentary Surviving R. Kelly was released which saw many accusations against him included.
Several witnesses testified that Kelly instilled fear if his victims did not fulfill his every need, sexual and otherwise.
Jurors heard how Kelly would compel victims to follow “Rob’s rules,” including that they call him “Daddy” and get permission
to eat or go to the bathroom.
One of the witnesses who was initially hoping to interview him for a radio station said he locked her up for two days without food or water before he assaulted her.
(Image: Getty Images)
Kelly did not testify in his defence.
Meanwhile, his lawyers cross-examined several witnesses and sought to show them as jilted fans.
The singer will be sentenced on May 4, 2022 after a federal jury in New York found him guilty on all nine charges.
Kelly still faces charges in Chicago on child pornography and obstruction, and state charges in Illinois and Minnesota.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
