Appeals court upholds R. Kelly’s convictions, 30-year sentence

NEW YORK (AP):

R. Kelly’s racketeering and sex trafficking convictions, along with a 30-year prison sentence, were upheld on Wednesday by a federal appeals court that concluded the singer exploited his fame for more than a quarter-century to sexually abuse girls and young women.

The 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan ruled on Wednesday after hearing arguments last March.

The Grammy-winning, multi-platinum-selling R&B songwriter was convicted in 2021 in Brooklyn federal court of multiple charges, including racketeering and sex trafficking.

Attorney Jennifer Bonjean, representing R. Kelly, said in a statement that she believed the Supreme Court will agree to hear an appeal. She called the 2nd Circuit ruling “unprecedented”.

The 2nd Circuit rejected Kelly’s arguments that the trial evidence was inadequate; the constitutionality of some state laws used against him were questionable; four jurors were biased; the trial judge made some improper rulings; and a racketeering charge, more commonly used in organised crime cases, was improper.

“Enabled by a constellation of managers, assistants, and other staff for over 25 years, Kelly exploited his fame to lure girls and young women into his grasp,” the appeals court said, noting that members of his entourage helped introduce him to underage girls.

“Evidence at trial showed that he would isolate them from friends and family, control nearly every aspect of their lives, and abuse them verbally, physically, and sexually,” the three-judge panel said.

The appeals court said it was “neither arbitrary nor irrational” that several accusers were permitted to testify at trial that Kelly gave them herpes without disclosing he had an STD.

Bonjean also cited a partial dissent in which one 2nd Circuit judge, Richard J. Sullivan, concurred with what he described as the majority’s “excellent opinion”, but dissented in part over a restitution award given to one victim for a lifetime supply of a suppressive regime of herpes medication. The award was based on the cost of the brand-name drug when a generic drug is available.

“This was not restitution. This was an effort by the government to unfairly enrich government witnesses for their testimony,” Bonjean said.

R Kelly, who sold miillions of albums, is known for work including the 1996 hit I Believe I Can Fly.