A federal appeal court has upheld R. Kelly’s racketeering and sex trafficking convictions, along with his 30-year prison sentence, rejecting his claims of judicial errors and constitutional violations.
The ruling by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan, issued Wednesday, reaffirms the 2021 Brooklyn federal court conviction of the Grammy-winning R&B singer, found guilty of exploiting his fame to sexually abuse young women and underage girls for over 25 years.
Kelly, 57, had argued through his attorney Jennifer Bonjean that the evidence was insufficient, that certain state laws used against him were unconstitutional, and that jury bias tainted his trial.
However, the three-judge panel unanimously rejected these claims, stating that Kelly’s criminal enterprise enabled by his staff systematically lured and abused victims, according to the VOA.
“Enabled by a constellation of managers, assistants, and other staff for over twenty-five years, Kelly exploited his fame to lure girls and young women into his grasp,” the court ruled.
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The 2nd Circuit Court found no fault with allowing testimony from multiple accusers who were minors at the time of the abuse. It also upheld the trial judge’s decision to let jurors view graphic videos, which demonstrated Kelly’s control over his victims.
The court determined that it was “neither arbitrary nor irrational” to allow testimony from accusers who said Kelly knowingly gave them herpes.
It also dismissed claims that prosecutors misused federal racketeering laws, which are commonly applied in organized crime cases.
Attorney Jennifer Bonjean criticized the ruling, calling it “unprecedented” and stating she would petition the U.S. Supreme Court.
“This decision gives prosecutors limitless discretion to apply the racketeering law to situations absurdly remote from its intent,” Bonjean argued.
Bonjean also highlighted a partial dissent from Judge Richard J. Sullivan, who agreed with the majority ruling but objected to a restitution award requiring Kelly to pay for a victim’s lifetime supply of herpes medication, arguing the cost was excessive.
Kelly was once one of the most successful R&B artists of his era, known for hits like I Believe I Can Fly and Trapped in the Closet.
Despite decades of allegations, he continued to thrive in the music industry until the #MeToo movement and the 2019 documentary Surviving R. Kelly brought renewed scrutiny.
His legal troubles escalated with multiple trials: 2008: Acquitted in a Chicago child pornography case. 2021: Convicted in Brooklyn on racketeering and sex trafficking charges. 2022: Convicted in Chicago on child sex abuse and pornography charges, receiving a 20-year sentence (partially concurrent with his 30-year term).
The Supreme Court previously declined to hear an appeal of his Chicago conviction.
