R Kelly appeals for a reversal of his 30-year sentence for sex crimes | Entertainment & Arts News

R Kelly has filed an appeal in a New York court to challenge a 30-year racketeering sentence imposed on him in 2022.

The R&B artist, known by his full name Robert Sylvester Kelly, was convicted of racketeering and trafficking following a well-publicized trial in New York in 2021.

This came after numerous allegations that spanned his career.

In addition, he received an extra year in prison on charges related to indecent images of children and child enticement in Chicago last year.

Kelly, who did not attend the appeal, claims that the prosecutors failed to substantiate their racketeering accusation or prove that he violated multiple women.

He also asserts that he was not given a fair trial, as several jurors had predetermined his guilt, his attorney’s representation was ineffective, and the jury was overwhelmed with excessive evidence of other alleged wrongdoings.

Kelly was represented in the appeal hearing by lawyer Jennifer Bonjean, who initially challenged the definition of a RICO enterprise (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) and whether such an organization must inherently be illegal.

Regarding Kelly’s staff and their awareness of “what happened behind closed doors,” Bonjean mentioned that while “there were rules and tasks, [the staff] performed seemingly harmless duties that may have been somewhat unusual, but not enough to suggest that any illegal activities were taking place behind closed doors.”

When asked about the staff’s specific knowledge of the ages of girls brought backstage to see Kelly, Ms. Bonjean stated, “I do not believe there was any evidence to suggest that an employee would arrange travel for someone who was underage.”

Kelly’s brief marriage to pop star Aaliyah

Representing the United States, assistant US attorney Kayla Bensing claimed that Kelly “established a system that ensnared young individuals in his circle, where he then took control of their lives.”

She went on to describe instances where women aged 16 or 17 were invited backstage by Kelly’s staff, including one individual who was invited by Kelly’s security to a concert in Miami three days after his marriage to Aaliyah, during which he allegedly bribed a county official to conceal or mitigate repercussions of illegal activities.

She also referred to a former associate of Kelly’s who described his girlfriends as “looking very young, specifically middle-aged teenagers.”

Bensing also mentioned evidence that Kelly’s team knew he had contracted herpes from engaging in unprotected sex with his victims.

Allegations of forced labor

She concluded by introducing claims of forced labor, describing Kelly as “obtaining labor and services, specifically sex acts, through threats of serious harm or physical restraint against the victims.”

In her brief rebuttal, Ms. Bonjean argued that the forced labor charges were based on a single incident and stated, “unless the court determines that a single act of forced oral sex constitutes forced labor, this would be making federal law consistent with state law.”

She also criticized the government’s stance that “a RICO enterprise cannot be inherently criminal,” calling it “unusual” and not supported by past legal precedents.

The judges will review the appeal and issue a written decision at a later time.

As per his current convictions, Kelly, who is 57 years old, will not be eligible for release until he turns 80.

Kelly rose from poverty to achieve global success as an R&B icon. He gained fame for hits like I Believe I Can Fly, Bump ‘N’ Grind, and Ignition.

While abuse allegations surfaced in the 1990s, widespread condemnation followed the #MeToo movement and the airing of the documentary series Surviving R Kelly in 2019.