R Kelly prison sentencing updates: Artist sentenced to 30 years in prison for sex trafficking, racketeering

Following R Kelly’s conviction in September, Naira Burton The 55-year-old woman, who was convicted, wrote that she had been waiting for a black woman like her for a long time.

“The majority of the people Kelly abused were black women and girls, even as young as 12 years old, so many considered them disposable and unprotective.”

“It’s very depressing to know that it took Kelly 25 years (almost my life) to face the similar accountability.”

R. Kelly did not testify in the September trial, but a lawyer representing a shameful R & B singer described his whistleblower as a “girlfriend” and “groupie” in line with his sexual activity.

These allegations were dismissed by the court, which found the disgraceful music artist guilty of multiple charges. Another team of lawyers on behalf of Kelly recently insisted that he should not exceed 10 years in prison. He was instead sentenced to 30 years in prison on Wednesday.

His lawyer accuses traumatic childhood “with serious and long-term child sexual abuse, poverty and violence” of the 55-year-old behavior more than 20 years ago when his crime was allegedly committed. was doing.

Additional reporting via Associated Press

The disgraceful R & B singer faced a series of allegations before being convicted of swearing, sexual exploitation of children, and sexual trafficking in September.

Kelly (real name Robert Sylvester Kelly) was convicted of these charges last year and sat still. He remained silent again during Wednesday’s ruling.

“Wealth, power, racism and misogyny have protected R & B stars. We are far from dismantling the culture that enables predators and abusers.” Fiona Sturges In the following opinion piece:

“The horror your victims endured,” said US District Judge Ann Donnelly during Wednesday’s ruling. “The price wasn’t too high to pay for your happiness.”

According to trial testimony, R. Kelly gave that some of his victims were minors at the time of their encounter with the singer.

The “boy and girl” were allegedly intimidated and punished for breaking what was called “Rob’s Rule” in his trail last year.

The R & B singer was also accused of shooting a “shameful video” of the victim.

Additional reporting via Associated Press

“In the cult of male celebrities, something is very rotten,” writes The Independent’s. Victoria Richards In the following opinion article.

“Because it doesn’t end with abuse. This action has a spillover effect that lasts for decades. Not only for the victims themselves, but for everyone who sees what such a man is doing. You can escape for a long time – and I think they can do the same. “

R. Kelly’s 30-year prison sentence is yet another victory for women’s rights activists and is the product of the “Me Too” movement.

Allegations of sexual misconduct against R. Kelly were not published until the emergence of the “Me Too” movement on Twitter in 2006. At this time, several women said they had been abused by prominent men.

The allegations against Kelly reached a turning point in 2019 after the release of the documentary “Surviving R. Kelly”. He was subsequently charged with exacerbated criminal sexual abuse by a state judge.

A federal prosecutor then charged the R & B singer with sexual trafficking and swearing, and his trail was held last year, where he was convicted.

R Kelly’s victims believed that their story was originally ignored because they were black women.

Outside the courtroom sentenced Wednesday, one of the unnamed survivors said, “The day I actually believed in my life that a judicial system would be realized for black and brown girls until this moment. There wasn’t. “

The prosecutor heard from a woman who told the court how the R & B singer had driven her into “obedience” and other “fear.”

“I hope this ruling serves as a unique testimony that it doesn’t matter how powerful, rich and famous the abusers are, or how small they make you feel.”

R & B singer R Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison for sexual trafficking and racket convictions.

He was convicted in 2021.

Breon Peace, a U.S. lawyer in eastern New York who announced R. Kelly’s 30-year sentence on Wednesday with Steve K. Francis, Deputy Director of Homeland Security (HSI), said the singer was “fame, good luck.” , And an enabler who preys on young people. “

Read his full statement while publishing the sentence here:

“R. Kelly used his fame, luck, and enabler to prey on young, vulnerable, and silent people for his own sexual satisfaction, but many were blind.

“Through his actions, Kelly showed a ruthless disregard for the devastation his crimes caused to his victims, and showed no regrets for his actions. In today’s ruling, he Finally and properly, he was blamed for decades of abuse, exploitation, and the corruption of teenagers and other vulnerable youth. Today’s ruling includes those who bravely testified in court. We hope to bring some comfort and closure to the victims, deserve their voice, and serve as a long-standing recognition that their lives are important. “