R Kelly found guilty in sex trafficking trial, faces life imprisonment

After years of managing to avoid taking responsibility, R & B singer R Kelly has been found guilty on all charges in his trial on racketeering and sex trafficking charges.

A New York jury reached the verdict on Monday, 27 September 2021, sealing Kelly’s fate. The 54-year-old, whose full name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, was accused by multiple women (and two men) of sexual abuse.

Kelly faced eight counts of sex trafficking and one of racketeering.

During the six-week trial, the court has heard how Kelly ran a sex cult and targeted and groomed his victims for his own sexual gratification.

The court heard from 50 witnesses in R Kelly’s sex trafficking trial, with only five taking the stand in the singer’s defence.

Attorney Gloria Allred, who represented many of Kelly’s victims, said of all the predators she has pursued, he was the worst.

“R. Kelly thought he could get away with this, but he didn’t. I am very proud of my clients who agreed to testify in this case,” she said.

R Kelly to be sentenced in May 2022

R Kelly’s victims detailed how he controlled their day-to-day activities, including when to use the bathroom and even eat. He also told them what clothes to wear and forced them to call him “Daddy”.

“Today’s verdict brings an end to Robert Kelly’s decade-long reign of terror over many vulnerable girls, boys and young women. With this verdict, it is my sincere hope that it will also begin the healing process for these brave survivors,” said Pete Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security investigations in New York.

Kelly will have to wait until 4 May 2022 to find out how long he will spend in prison, but experts reckon it will likely be for the rest of his life.

The singer, known for hits like Happy People and Spirit, was also found to have trafficked women between different US states and produced child pornography.