R. Kelly, a disgraced R&B star, was sentenced Wednesday to 30 Years in Prison. This was months after he was convicted of all nine charges in a high-profile sextrafficking case.
After Kelly’s victims hurled abuse at him, U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly delivered the sentence in Brooklyn, New York.
Donnelly was a fervent performer who spoke no words while she threw the book at once.
She said, “You were a person with great advantages — worldwide fame, celebrity and untold wealth.” You took advantage of their dreams and hopes, keeping teenagers locked in your home. You held the top position in your organization and raped, beat, separated from their families, and forced them into doing unimaginable things.
Victims that addressed Kelly claimed they could not have survived the time Kelly was controlling their lives.
Jane Doe No. said, “You degraded and humiliated my spirit.” 2. “I wish I could die because of the way you degraded my character.”
Kelly was a friend of the victim and she told her about an instance where Kelly forced her to have oral sex with her.
“Does that sound familiar? Kelly was wearing olive-colored prison scrubs, a white long-sleeve shirt and a black mask.
“You could not care less. I avoided your name, your songs, and was overcome with fear. Your actions left a lasting mark on my life.
Kelly was speaking to one his lawyers and the victim stopped speaking for a moment. Kelly sarcastically apologized, saying: “I’m sorry. I don’t want interrupt your conversation.”
She added, “You are an abuser. Shameless, disgusting.” “I wish you went to prison for the rest your life. “I feel sorry for your loss.”
Kelly, 55, was convicted of racketeering in September. Kelly also violated the Mann Act. This law prohibits people from being transported across state lines “for any moral purpose”.
Jane Doe No. 1 cried as Kelly addressed the court. She had believed Kelly would not face justice for years.
The woman, who was 17 when Kelly first introduced her to her at a September 1994 concert, said that she knew there were fans who didn’t believe her.
“I lost faith in the justice system once, but you have restored my faith. It is a constant struggle, and I can’t live without it. It is cruel to suffer sexual assault and sex trafficking. It’s modern slavery plain and simple.”
Outside the courthouse Wednesday, Steve Francis, acting executive director for Homeland Security Investigations, quoted R. Kelly’s lyrics “sometimes silence may seem so loud” in praise of the victims’ perseverance and the sentence.
Francis stated that “thankfully these brave victims and true survivors” will be heard forever while Mr. R. Kelly would be alone in a prison cell in silence for many, long years. It’s comforting now to know that the only noise Kelly will hear is his prison door closing behind him.
Kelly’s lawyers argued that Kelly would not be able to serve a sentence exceeding 10 years in a separate memo.
Jennifer Bonjean, defense attorney, stated in court Wednesday that “he has contributed to society through music and generosity and he has people whom love and support him.”
He maintains his innocence and is not manipulative or cunning. Mob justice is a popular concept, but this court must make a distinction between criminal behavior and boorish behavior.
The trial was focused on six individuals. Prosecutors claimed Kelly was a serial predator of sexual minorities who abused young girls and boys for over two decades.
Prosecutors claimed that he was part of a criminal group that recruited and groomed victims and arranged for their travel to concerts and other events in the U.S.
Kelly was also accused in confining his victims in hotel rooms and his recording studio, controlling when they could eat and how they can use the bathroom, and making them follow “rules” that included calling him “Daddy.”
Robert Sylvester Kelly was born to an attorney. His accusers were tried to paint him as a “groupie” who wanted to capitalize on his fame and profit from the #MeToo movement.
He pleaded guilty to none of the charges and didn’t take the stand for his defense.
U.S. Attorney Breon peace stated that Wednesday’s sentence and the conviction were a significant moment for women of colour, who are often not taken seriously.
Peace stated, “These were the voices of predominantly Black and Brown women and children who were heard and believed, and for whom justice was finally accomplished.”
Grammy-winning Kelly is perhaps best known for his 1996 hit “I Believe I Can Fly”. He was widely credited with helping redefine R&B.
However, #MeToo has led to increased scrutiny of his behaviour behind the scenes.
“Surviving R. Kelly”, a Lifetime documentary series that was released in 2019, featured testimony from many accusers and intensified the calls for Kelly to face legal consequences.
Kelly will be tried in Chicago in August on charges of obstruction of justice and federal child pornography after his sentencing.
