R. Kelly Sentenced To 30 Years In Prison On Racketeering, Sex Trafficking Charges
R Kelly has been sentenced to 30 years in prison Wednesday after being found guilty of all counts of racketeering and sex trafficking against him at his Brooklyn federal trial last year.
Prior to sentencing, seven of Kelly’s victims addressed the court to share impact statements and speak directly to their abuser. “I am a representation of every woman, boy, child, man that you have ever afflicted with your deplorable, inexplicable acts and with that I leave you with yourself, Robert Sylvester Kelly,” “Angela” — who also testified during the trial — said to Kelly. “You used your fame and power to groom and coach underage boys and girls for your own sexual gratification.”
Kitti Jones, who spoke in 2017 about the abuse she suffered during her two-year relationship with Kelly, told the singer Wednesday prior to sentencing, “Many of us have been waiting for this day to come.”
Another victim, Jane Doe 2, also aimed her impact statement at Kelly. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be whole. What you did has left a permanent stain on my life that I will never be able to wash away. I’m sure you never think about that,” she said. “You are an abuser, you are shameless, you are disgusting and you are self-serving.” As for Kelly’s sentence, she said, “I hope you go to jail for the rest of your life.”
In asking the judge for leniency, Kelly’s lawyer Jennifer Bonjean said that the singer spent his childhood in a “highly chaotic” home where he was also sexually abused. The defense lawyer also hailed Kelly as a “musical genius.” “Mr. Kelly rejects that’s he’s this monster,” Bonjean said. However, Kelly declined to make a statement in his own defense, citing pending litigation. When asked by the judge to confirm he didn’t want to make a statement, Kelly said, “Yes your honor, that is my wish.”
Kelly entered the courtroom just before 10:40 a.m. EST wearing khaki jail scrubs — the shirt buttoned down — a white undershirt, close-cropped hair and black glasses. Six people sat in the row for Kelly’s supporters, including the three women who claimed to be his sisters.
“There’s to be no talking, no reaction of any kind, or court security officers will remove anybody who does that,” Judge Ann Donnelly told attendees.
Gloria Allred, the lawyer representing multiple Kelly survivors, was seated on the left side of the courtroom. As the survivors entered the courtroom, almost all hugged Allred one by one.
