In a decisive ruling, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld R. Kelly’s convictions for racketeering and sex trafficking, affirming his 30-year prison sentence. The court concluded that the R&B singer exploited his fame for over 25 years to engage in the sexual abuse of girls and young women.
The appeals court’s decision came after hearing arguments last March and follows Kelly’s 2021 conviction in a Brooklyn federal court on multiple charges, including severe sex crimes. The ruling reinforces the gravity of Kelly’s actions, which the court described as enabled by a network of managers and associates who helped him target underage girls.
R. Kelly’s attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, expressed her belief that the Supreme Court may consider an appeal, criticizing the 2nd Circuit’s ruling as “unprecedented.” She argued that it grants prosecutors excessive discretion to apply racketeering laws in ways that deviate from their intended purpose.
The appeals court rejected Kelly’s claims that the trial evidence was insufficient and dismissed concerns about the constitutionality of certain state laws used against him. They also noted that several accusers were permitted to testify about how Kelly transmitted herpes to them without disclosure, emphasizing the control and manipulation he exerted over his victims.
The ruling stated, “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 highlighted the psychological and physical abuse endured by his victims, asserting that the testimonies presented were neither inflammatory nor prejudicial.
R. Kelly, born Robert Sylvester Kelly, is known for hits like “I Believe I Can Fly” and “Trapped in the Closet.” Despite his musical accolades and commercial success, he faced growing scrutiny over allegations of sexual misconduct that began surfacing in the 1990s. His earlier acquittal in a 2008 child sexual abuse case did little to shield him from later convictions, which were heavily influenced by the #MeToo movement and the documentary “Surviving R. Kelly.”
As the legal battle continues, the upheld convictions serve as a significant moment in the ongoing fight for justice for survivors of sexual abuse, reinforcing the message that fame does not protect individuals from accountability.
