The abuse trial against R&B star R. Kelly has begun in New York
– Kelly lawyer Nicole Blank Becker in court © © 2021 AFP
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Accompanied by great media interest, the abuse trial against the famous R&B musician R. Kelly began in New York on Wednesday.
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Accompanied by great media interest, the abuse trial against the famous R&B musician R. Kelly began in New York on Wednesday. The 54-year-old singer of the world hit “I Believe I Can Fly” was accused of sexual abuse of minors, kidnapping and bribery between 1994 and 2018, among other things. If convicted, Kelly faces a long prison term.
According to the indictment, young girls were systematically “recruited” to have sex with the former superstar. A venereal disease Kelly had been withheld from them. When Kelly was on tour, the victims are said to have been locked in hotel rooms. The aim was to isolate the girls and young women and make them financially dependent.
The first allegations were raised against the singer and composer around 25 years ago. However, one process ended in acquittal, other proceedings were settled out of court.
The 2019 documentary series “Surviving R. Kelly” then led to new investigations, to Kelly’s arrest – and now to the trial in federal court in New York. “After two decades, people are finally starting to talk, and I am humbly grateful,” said Jonjelyn Savage, whose daughter has made abuse allegations against Kelly, in front of the Brookyln courthouse on Wednesday.
The singer – real name Robert Sylvester Kelly – rejects all allegations and has pleaded not guilty. The process should take around a month. A jury made up of twelve jury members, seven men and five women, decides on Kelly’s fate. Kelly is also threatened with trial in Chicago.
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