A New York court convicted singer-songwriter Robert Sylvester Kelly (R. Kelly) this Monday (27) of sex trafficking and extortion. The singer used his good name and "superstar" status to run a sex trafficking racket for about 20 years, the indictment said.
The indictment rests on the argument that, the set of advisors and managers who helped the owner of the hit "I believe I can fly" meet girls and keep them quiet was tantamount to a criminal enterprise.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Cruz Melendez argued that Kelly was a serial abuser who "maintained control over these victims using every trick in the predator's handbook."
The witnesses - on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals from Kelly's fans - reported that the 54-year-old singer subjected them to various perverse and sadistic situations when they were underage. In this regard, one of the most resounding cases is the star's marriage to singer Aaliyah in 1994, when the latter was only 15 years old.
The 54-year-old singer subjected them to various perverse and sadistic situations when they were minors
As the Fly reports, years later, in 2002, the singer was arrested on charges of sexually abusing and urinating on a 14-year-old girl, all recorded on video. Jurors watched home videos of Kelly engaging in sexual acts that prosecutors said were not consensual.
The defense labeled the accusers "groupies" and "stalkers," expressions for girls who infiltrate bands or musicians and stalkers, respectively. Deveraux Cannick, defense attorney, questioned the fact that the girls agreed to have sex if they thought they were being abused.
Robert Sylvester Kelly, has been held without bail since 2019. The trial was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic and Kelly's last minute change in his legal team.
When it finally began on August 18, prosecutors painted the 54-year-old singer as a spoiled, control freak male child. His female accusers said they were ordered to call him "Daddy."