R. Kelly sex trafficking trial: What to know and expect

NEW YORK – Here's what to cognize astir R Kelly's transgression proceedings successful New York, which began Wednesday:

WHAT IS R. KELLY KNOWN FOR?

You’ve astir apt heard “I Believe I Can Fly” astatine an inspirational infinitesimal oregon “Ignition (Remix)” astatine a assemblage party. That’s R. Kelly. The 54-year-old is an R&B superstar whose heyday was successful the ’90s and aboriginal 2000s erstwhile helium racked up a slew of awards, including aggregate Grammys.

WHERE IS R. KELLY CHARGED?

New York, Illinois and Minnesota, each sex-related cases. The proceedings present underway is successful a national tribunal successful Brooklyn. He has pleaded not blameworthy to each charges.

WHAT IS THIS SPECIFIC TRIAL ABOUT?

This is simply a racketeering case. Prosecutors accidental R. Kelly physically, sexually and psychologically dominated children — girls and boys — and women, often signaling enactment acts with minors, and utilizing a cadre of loyalists to bash his bidding and enlistee victims. Kelly's lawyers person pushed back, calling the accusers groupies who "were dying to beryllium with him.”

Ad

CAN I WATCH THE R. KELLY TRIAL LIVE?

No. No cameras are allowed successful national court.

COULD R. KELLY SERVE PRISON TIME IF CONVICTED?

The apical number of racketeering carries a condemnation of up to 20 years successful situation if convicted. He besides faces charges nether the Mann Act.

WHAT IS THE MANN ACT?

The Mann Act is simply a 1910 instrumentality that forbids transporting “any pistillate oregon girl” implicit authorities lines for “immoral” acts.

IS R. KELLY IN JAIL RIGHT NOW?

When helium isn't successful court, he's astatine the Metropolitan Detention Center, a national lockup successful Brooklyn. That's the aforesaid jailhouse presently holding Ghislaine Maxwell, the British socialite awaiting proceedings connected charges that she procured young victims for the sex-abusing millionaire Jeffrey Epstein.

HOW LONG HAS R. KELLY BEEN IN JAIL?

He’s been held since July 2019, erstwhile national indictments were announced successful Chicago and New York. But he’s lone been successful New York since June. His lawyer says he’s gained a batch of value and tally retired of money portion successful jail.

Ad

WAS R. KELLY ATTACKED IN JAIL?

Yeah, almost precisely a twelvemonth ago, successful Chicago. A convicted subordinate of the Latin Kings pack says helium bushed Kelly up — repeatedly hitting him connected the caput — due to the fact that helium wanted attraction connected his ain case. Kelly's lawyers tried to usage the onslaught arsenic justification for releasing him connected bail, to nary avail.

WHO IS ON THE JURY?

Seven men, 5 women. We don't cognize who the jurors are — the justice ordered their names and different details that could place them withheld.

HOW LONG IS THE TRIAL EXPECTED TO LAST?

Ad

About a period oregon so.

IS THERE ANYTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT THE TRIAL?

Well, media and the nationalist are barred from the courtroom and person to ticker a video provender of the witnesses from an overflow room, wherever nary phones oregon computers are allowed. The justice cited coronavirus concerns successful decreeing the viewing accommodations, but different caller trials successful New York person permitted entree to the courtroom.

THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME R. KELLY'S BEEN IN LEGAL HOT WATER, RIGHT?

He was acquitted successful a 2008 kid pornography lawsuit successful Chicago. He's besides been embroiled successful galore lawsuits.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This worldly whitethorn not beryllium published, broadcast, rewritten oregon redistributed without permission.