R. Kelly reportedly wants jurors who’ve seen the Lifetime docu-series Surviving R. Kelly to be banned from his second federal trial taking place in Chicago this week.
According to legal documents obtained by TMZ, Kelly’s legal team explained, “Any potential juror who has watched any portion of this docuseries must be disqualified for cause on whether they can be fair, too great a risk exists that such a juror would base their verdict on matters not introduced into evidence in the courtroom.”
They added, “Any potential juror who has seen any portion of Surviving R. Kelly is prejudiced where there’s no scenario which an individual exposed to the contents of Surviving R. Kelly can be impartial.”
Premiered in 2019, Surviving R. Kelly opened the floodgates into the investigation that landed the embattled R&B singer behind bars. After its debut, the #SurvivingRKelly hashtag was in heavy rotation as people learned more about the multiple sexual assault allegations Kelly has faced over the years.
The majority of Twitter users who weighed in were outraged over Kelly’s alleged behavior. In fact, the #MuteRKelly hashtag was resurrected, calling for any fans of Kelly to stop listening to his music, buying his albums and supporting his concerts. John Legend, who stars in the documentary, also tweeted: “To everyone telling me how courageous I am for appearing in the doc, it didn’t feel risky at all. I believe these women and don’t give a fuck about protecting a serial child rapist. Easy decision.”
"Surviving R. Kelly" Documentary Reignites #MuteRKelly Movement
The judge who recently sentenced Kelly to 30 years in prison evidently believed them, too. On June 30, U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly handed down the lengthy sentence, essentially giving him a life term. Federal prosecutors were pleased, telling the court, “He committed these crimes using his fame and stardom as both a shield, which prevented close scrutiny or condemnation of his actions. 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.”
In Illinois, the 55-year-old is facing charges of child pornography and obstruction of justice, and his alleged victim from Kelly’s 2008 case is expected to testify.
I mean I still haven’t seen the doc, so there are people out there who exist. His real issue is with all the evidence they’re going to bring out against him, and the jury’s response to that. If the last trial is any indication it won’t go well. Honestly have no idea how anyone can support him, or listen to his music without his p3d0 antics running through their mind smh. If he was some nobody that the media decided to report on because of the severity of his crimes and the amount of victims it would be universal condemnation of him being vile and a sexual pr3dat0r. Yet “I believe I can fly” still has a chokehold on some of y’all smh
Don’t you dare worry nor fret my brother (R Kelly) cause there is always going to be plenty of room at the cross of calvary for you… Despite of what brother R Kelly done did in the past, all he have to do is repent for whatever was done in the past with these women.