Disgraced former R&B Star, R. Kelly was found guilty yesterday on three counts of child pornography and three counts of the enticement of a minor. Kelly originally faced 13 counts but was acquitted of all charges related to conspiracy as it related to his 2008 Child pornography trial. Federal prosecutors allege Kelly conspired to intimidate and bribe witnesses during the 2008 trial but were unable to prove to the jury past a “reasonable doubt”.
U.S. Attorney John Lausch said prosecutors were “pleased with the fact that Robert Kelly is finally being held accountable” for his “reprehensible conduct” but was “disappointed by the not-guilty verdicts on the remaining counts.” Lausch said Kelly faces 10- 90 years in prison. This guilty verdict comes after the singer was sentenced to 30 years in the New York case. Lausch says they will ask for consecutive sentencing.
The jury heard five weeks of testimony and deliberated for nearly twelve hours before announcing they had reached a verdict. Prosecutors said Kelly engaged in sex acts with five girls when they were underaged. Four of the victims testified they were sexually abused by Kelly while minors. At the center of the case was the testimony of “Jane”, who was 14 at the time of the infamous child pornography tape in the 2008 trial. Now 34, “Jane” testified for the first time that she was the child in the tape.
Co-Defendants, Derrel McDavid and Milton “June” Brown were both acquitted of all charges. During deliberations, the jury asked several questions to the judge to clarify the legal complexities of the case. A child pornography conviction carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and receipt of child porn carries a minimum of five years for each count. Federal inmates must serve at least 85% of their sentences.
Kelly’s attorney, Jennifer Bonjean said on Twitter, “Robert is in good spirits despite a mixed verdict. We won seven counts of this indictment (more than we lost). He is grateful for the support and the fight continues”.
Kelly still faces two more trials in Minnesota and in Chicago on State Charges. In a statement, Cook County States Attorney said, “I thank and applaud the survivors, advocates, prosecutors and jurors who ensured R. Kelly is held accountable for his grotesque exploitation of children” said Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, who provided key video evidence for the trial. “While trauma can never be undone, I hope these additional convictions continue to motivate people to speak out, tell their stories, and protect and affirm all victims and survivors of sexual abuse and domestic violence.”
A sentencing date was not announced.
