R. Kelly is currently on trial again, this time in Chicago. Following the closing arguments, one juror had a panic attack and was excused. According to the woman, she couldn’t take “one minute more.” She has been replaced by a male juror in his 60s. According to USA Today, Kelly is on trial for “enticing minors for sex.” However, he isn’t the only one on the chopping block. He’s being tried alongside Derrel McDavid and Milton ‘June’ Brown, who allegedly conspired to hide evidence regarding his 2008 child porn trial. His lead attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, pointed out that the evidence of these crimes is based on accounts from “perjurers, blackmailers, and extortionists.” She mentioned Kelly’s ex, Lisa Van Allen, and merchandiser Charles Freeman. She then painted them as unreliable narrators. At one point, she compared the prosecution and Kelly’s accusers to cockroaches in soup.
You don’t just pull out the cockroach and eat the rest of the soup. There are just too many cockroaches.
Earlier in the week, Bonjean called for a mistrial twice. She claimed the prosecution’s arguments are based on the assumption R. Kelly is definitively a predator. However, the judge denied Bonjean’s requests. The prosecution delivered their rebuttal, saying Kelly used his power and influence to abuse his victims. According to prosecutor Elizabeth Pazolo,
Robert Kelly abused many girls over many years … and he didn’t do it alone … the hidden side of Robert Kelly has come to light. The truth has come out.
Robert Kelly, Up Until Now
Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison earlier this year. The 55-year-old was found guilty in New York of racketeering and sex trafficking. Bonjean tried to argue the singer himself was a victim of abuse, but it had no effect on the verdict. Following this sentence, he was put on suicide watch. Many considered the verdict a victory for abuse victims, but some of his peers, including Boosie Badazz and Chuck D questioned the decision. Both think Kelly needs help, and a less excessive sentence.
The jury began deliberations for the Chicago trial, Tuesday.
Written by Kimberly Stelly | Instagram | Twitter
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