Last year, in September, American singer-songwriter, R. Kelly, was convicted for the sexual abuse of young fans, including children. Last month he was sentenced to 30 years in prison. He insisted he was innocent and plans to appeal his conviction.
He is now facing federal child pornography and obstruction charges in Chicago. Jury selection begins today.
Kelly, 55, was accused of sexual abuse of five minors. He video recorded some of the acts. He allegedly conspired to intimidate his victims, including many fans, and hid evidence from law enforcement officials when they were investigating him for his 2008 trial on child pornography charges.
The five minors associated with the new jury trial are expected to testify.
Two men that worked with Kelly in the music business, Derrel McDavid and Milton “June” Brown, are co-defendants in the new federal trial. McDavid is being accused of helping Kelly obstruct the 2008 trial. Brown is accused of receiving child porn material.
Kelly, McDavid and Brown all deny the charges.
The 2008 trial had 21 counts of child pornography, but a jury acquitted Kelly on all counts. One of the accusers in the 2008 trail is expected to testify in the federal trial, and a tape cassette associated with Kelly having relations with a minor will be used in the new trial, along with three other videos, as evidence.
The woman involved is now in her 30’s, but was about 12 or 13-years-old when she met Kelly. Prosecutors allege that Kelly threatened the girl’s parents so she wouldn’t testify at the 2008 trial.
Chicago-born R. Kelly is considered a Rhythm and Blues legend and has had a successful career, selling millions of albums and winning several awards, including three Grammy Awards. His reputation, though scarred, did not stop his fans from loving him through much of his career.
However, in January 2019, a documentary called “Surviving R. Kelly” was aired on Lifetime, featuring interviews with women who claimed they were sexually abused by Kelly, leading to him being formally charged in Chicago for aggravated criminal sexual abuse, and being fired by his record label.
Looks like the “blues” are on the horizon for R. Kelly.