R. Kelly and his legal team are seeking to overturn the disgraced R&B singer’s convictions for various sex crimes.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the “I Believe I Can Fly” singer’s lawyers have filed two motions in Chicago’s federal court seeking a new trial or reversal of his prior convictions of sex abuse and child pornography.
Jennifer Bonjean, Kelly’s lead attorney filed the motions with U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber presiding over the hearing on Tuesday (November 15). The arguments will be heard at an appeal hearing to the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
Per the report, Bonjean made a request to Leinenweber for a judgment of acquittal due to “several technical factors, including that prosecutors did not prove that the alleged sex tape of Kelly abusing “Jane” at his home was made for the “purpose” of producing child pornography.”
Additionally, Bonjean argued that there was insufficient evidence that the sex tape had ever crossed state lines, which prosecutors were required to prove in court, and that the prosecution team failed to prove that Kelly had “coerced” teenage girls to have sex with him.
Bonjean’s second motion asked for a new trial accusing Dr. Darrel Turner, who testified as an expert witness, of making false statements at the trial. Turner testified about how sexual predators “groom” underage victims.
“Had the jurors known that Dr. Turner actively misled them, the jurors would likely have rejected his testimony outright,” Bonjean wrote. Prosecutors are expected to file responses to Bonjean’s motions later this month.
After being convicted on nine counts of various racketeering and sex trafficking charges during his trial in September 2021, Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly back in June.
“You made me do things that broke my spirit,” one alleged victim said in court at the time. “I literally wished I would die because of how low you made me feel. Do you remember that?”
“He committed these crimes using his fame and stardom as both a shield, which prevented close scrutiny or condemnation of his actions,” federal prosecutors said. “And a sword, which gave him access to wealth and a network of enablers to facilitate his crimes, and an adoring fan base from which to cull his victims.”
Currently, Kelly faces four separate Cook County indictments in Chicago where prosecutors allege “he sexually abused or assaulted four people, three of whom were underage girls at the time.”
30 god damn years is ridiculous. It ain’t like u penetrated a 3 year old or some real sick shit. Most of these women were grown. Not excusing his behavior. But he ain’t shoot somebody or bomb a school or hell brandish a weapon. 7.5 to 10 years should do the trick. They tryna break him like ye, bill, kyrie, chapelle, Monique, Kobe, should I keep going?
I totally agree with you 💯💯💯 they wrong for that shitt
Has to do with the free lunch he got all his life. They have obviously tried to throw the book at him because he got away with it for 30 years leaving a long trail of victims. Sort of like the difference between the guy that shoots his wife and the serial killer with 30 bodies to their name.
Mf married a 15 y/o and pissed on a 14 y/o you fuckin bozo
Free R. Kelly. If he wasnt famous he would have got 5-7 years.
Man shut yo goofy ass up, you got anything to do but comment dumb shit in here? If he wasn’t famous he would have been locked up way sooner. Goofball.
You thug shut your mouth you need a mouth full of cocks and piss. The king is coming home to screw your mother. And wife
Holy shit a lot of hip-hop fans are morons, this comment section is horrendous.
Free the king of R&B these new brothers don’t got soul like that
The old “Dindu” defense. With this government it just might work. Shout out Cosby! Harvey is still locked up though. No race card?
Wow, I got 12 years for a non-violent dope case. 30 years? OK, I’m still up in the air about this guy whether he is really a monster or some sick fk they are trying to make an example of. Man if this dude is a dangerous chomo they are saying he it’s unfortunate the blacks are more accepting of chomos and sI inners than any other car. They are sick. Hopefully he gets sent to Hazelton, God I would of loved to have been the one to sos that red rag. Drug laws are archaic, I don’t see serious violent pedophiles get that kind or time very often this is crazy. My third shot a 101 and a 107 when I stabbed a chomo 13 times at usphazelton was mainly cuz I lost it the guy got 18 years for viciously raping two chi k Ren cause9ng damage.
The one alleged individual says you made me feel low. Was that after the fact you allegedly willingly hopped on his d for fun. I swear only females
This all started because he asked for his masters and boom they started all this bullshit and took his life way they some powerful enemies in the music bizz