R. Kelly to face 30 years behind the bars.
In the latest hearing of R. Kelly case in New York, federal Judge Ann Donnelly has sentenced the R&B star to 30 years in prison. The Prosecutors had asked the judge to sentence the singer to more than 25 years in prison, while his defence attorneys asked for 10 years or fewer, saying the prosecutors’ request was “tantamount to a life sentence.” “These crimes were calculated and carefully planned, and regularly executed for almost 25 years. You taught them that love is enslavement and violence,” the Judge told Kelly after the sentence.
“This case is not about s*x,” the judge said. “It is about violence, cruelty and control.” She also quoted a victim impact statement, saying “No price was too high for someone else to pay for your happiness.” “You are a person who had great advantages — worldwide fame and celebrity, untold money,” the Judge added.
BREAKING: R&B singer R. Kelly has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for using his superstardom to subject young fans — some just children — to systematic sexual abuse. https://t.co/63L9C6w8xq
— The Associated Press (@AP) June 29, 2022
Last year, in a deliberation which ran for around nine hours on September 27th, the jury found Robert Sylvester Kelly guilty of all counts against him, including racketeering, and eight counts of violating the Mann Act, the anti s*x trafficking law. R. Kelly was accused by as many as 11 people, nine women and two-man, of s*xual abuse, in exchange for help in a music career.
“I started this journey 30 years ago,” said Jovante Cunningham outside the court after the hearing, who’s a former backup singer for Kelly. “There wasn’t a day in my life up until this moment that I actually believed that the judicial system would come through for Black and brown girls. I stand here very proud of my judicial system, very proud of my fellow survivors and very pleased with the outcome.”
In contrast, Kelly was labeled a “prolific serial predator who used his status and wealth to swoop on the young and innocents by dangling promises of fame, fortune, and stardom for his own s*xual gratification” by the acting associate director of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), who also announced Kelly’s sentencing. “R. Kelly used his fame, fortune and enablers to prey on the young, the vulnerable and the voiceless for his own sexual gratification, while many turned a blind eye.”
The 55-year-old R&B star did not address the court during the hearing.
