R. Kelly was slapped with a 30-year prison sentence in a New York City courtroom on Wednesday (June 29), news that quickly traveled around the world. The embattled R&B singer was facing between 10 years to life behind bars for sex trafficking and Judge Ann Donnelly certainly wasn’t conservative when handing down the sentence.
Unsurprisingly, Kelly’s attorney Jennifer Bonjean plans to appeal. During a post-sentencing press conference, Bonjean called the additional Racketeer Influenced & Corrupt Organization (RICO) act charge “inappropriate.”
“These were not a RICO act violation,” Bonjean said at the 2:36-minute mark. “These were isolated events that happened many years and the government simply tried to plead around the statute of limitations to bring in a RICO charge, which was inappropriate.
“All I can tell you is there was no enterprise. There was no enterprise. It was one man with allegations by a number of women, which doesn’t make it an enterprise, and that is why he’s not guilty of racketeering.
Bonjean added she was “excited” about the appeal and “confident” their arguments will persuade the court of appeals. She later admitted she advised Kelly to invoke his Fifth Amendment rights to remain silent and not take the stand.
Bonjean expressed similar sentiments in February, with the Chicago Tribune publishing part of the 62-page motion for judgment of acquittal. As she explained in the document, “Invigorated by an influential social movement determined to punish centuries of male misbehavior through symbolic prosecutions of high-profile men, the government brought a RICO prosecution against (Kelly) that was ‘absurdly remote’ from the drafters’ intent.”
Here's Potentially Why R. Kelly Got 30 Years In Prison While Epstein Associate Ghislaine Maxwell Got 20
Regardless, Kelly was found guilty in September 2021 on all charges, which included sexual exploitation of a child, bribery, racketeering and sex trafficking involving five victims. In addition to the 30 years, he must also pay a $100,000 fine.
His associates were charged with attempting to intimidate and influence witnesses in his case, he has a whole team of enablers who helped him perpetrate these crimes, so yes, it falls under Rico Statute. That boy gonna die in jail.
RICO statute -There was no enterprise. It was one man with allegations by a number of women, which doesn’t make it an enterprise. If that is the case then where are the rest of them. I am not defending his actions, but let the penalty lie with each and everyone involved.
Yes there was
Robert
Isn’t
Coming
Outside
That’s a good one
R. Kelly eminem Jay z they have always had women around them that is part of the culture. Womanising is not unusual it gets rapped about all the time it is real. With all these women around them they come out of the woodwork to shout mistreatment. This homey seems to me to be a big pussy cat. So do you really think robert was an isolated case. did this man just get so horny lest he stayed true to himself. This report says nothing about anyone but just r. Kelly. That one interview when he got up from his chair and was really upset i thoughr thought this man is innocent.
Htf you put Jay Z and Eminem in the same category as R. Kelly? I thought bots were supposed to be smart…
Because they are womanisers. I can name them all there has been women around at times
But R Kelly is a serial rapist
if you’re had sex with more then (1) women in your life time then so are you.
Yep. How a jury sat and gave a guilty verdict on this nonsense is beyond stupid. It’s not called let’s convict somebody for what I wanted them to get convicted for in the past. It’s the case in front of you at the time.
Why you so “pissed off” lol.