R&B Star R. Kelly Found Guilty in Child Pornography Case, Multiple Sex Abuse Charges; Lawyers, Federal Prosecutors React

R. Kelly was found guilty on several counts by a Chicago jury on Wednesday. The 'I Believe I Can Fly' singer, who was found guilty in 2021 of abusing young fans and is presently serving a 30-year sentence in New York, was also found guilty on three charges of child pornography and three counts of child enticement.

In total, R. Kelly, 55, was charged with 13 counts, including 13 counts of obstructing justice by buying off a young victim and witness in a 2002 Chicago case, obtaining and producing child pornography, and coercing young people into illegal sexual activity.

Defense Lawyers Try To Contend Allegations Against R. Kelly

After viewing some of an explicit video, one of Kelly's accusers, Jane, who claimed to be 14 at the time it was recorded, the jury started deliberations on Tuesday. In 2008, R. Kelly was cleared of 21 charges of child pornography after it was claimed that he and and other defendants had planned to fabricate evidence and buy off victims and other witnesses.

According to federal prosecution records, "Minor 1," the first victim referenced in the investigation, was under 14 years old when Kelly reportedly recorded himself having sex with her. "Minor 1," now 30 years old, provided testimony during the federal trial.

Derrel McDavid and Milton Brown, two of R. Kelly's friends, are also named in the lawsuit for allegedly working with R. Kelly to deny the abuse claims made against the 'Ignition' singer.

Defense lawyers contended that some government witnesses' allegations against R, Kelly were motivated by a desire for money and fame, and they accused a number of people of attempting to blackmail R. Kelly. Additionally, they implied that at least one of his victims was 17 years old at the time R. Kelly started pursuing her for sex, which is Illinois's legal consent age, as per Fox News.

In her closing argument, attorney Jennifer Bonjean pleaded with the jury not to believe the prosecution's characterization of her client as "a monster," claiming that R. Kelly was frequently misled and had to rely on others due to his intellectual disabilities.

In her opening remarks, she stated that "Mr. Kelly can also be a victim." Jane claimed that she appeared in three tapes that the prosecution played for the jury. To prevent media and onlookers from viewing the videos or the jurors' reactions, court staff surrounded the jurors with opaque screens.

But one could hear the sound. One video shows the child constantly addressing the man as "daddy," asking him at one point, "Daddy, do you still love me?" while the man gives her graphic sexual instructions.

R. Kelly allegedly recorded the tape, which served as evidence in the 2008 trial, in a room with a log cabin theme at his North Side Chicago home around 1998, according to the prosecution.

Lawyers, Prosecutors React to R. Kelly's Sentence

Pauline, a different accuser, claimed R. Kelly was introduced to her by Jane in 1998 when they were both 14-year-old middle school classmates. Later that year, Pauline recalled being shocked when she first walked in on R. Kelly and a naked Jane in R. Kelly's Chicago house. R. Kelly allegedly informed her that everyone had a secret.

She stated that he said, "This is our secret." R. Kelly is still important to Pauline, she told the jury. But she claimed that having children at the age of 37 has given her a new perspective, CBS News reported.

Per NBC Chicagi via MSN, the verdict for R. Kelly sparked an immediate reaction. US Attorney John Lausch commented, "We are pleased that Robert Kelly is now being held accountable for that reprehensible conduct." Jim DeRogatis, a reporter who broke the R. Kelly story decades ago, asserts that he thinks the singer will finally be held accountable as a result of the verdict.

For thirty years, "so many individuals encouraged this conduct," he stated. "It's just that he utilized this amazing gift he had to ruin lives. In the 40 years that I have covered music, I don't believe I've ever come across a sadder narrative," DeRogatis added.

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