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The sentence was imposed 9 months after Kelly, 55, was convicted of racketeering and intercourse crimes, in a trial that amplified accusations that had dogged the singer of the Grammy-winning hit “I Imagine I Can Fly” for 20 years.
U.S. District Choose Ann Donnelly in Brooklyn federal court docket mentioned the proof mirrored Kelly’s “indifference to human struggling” and “sheer brutality” towards his victims.
“This case just isn’t about intercourse. It is about violence and cruelty and management,” Donnelly instructed Kelly. “You left in your wake a path of damaged lives.”
Kelly, whose full title is Robert Sylvester Kelly, is among the many most outstanding folks convicted of sexual misbehavior throughout the #MeToo motion in opposition to such conduct by outstanding males.
He didn’t converse throughout Wednesday’s listening to, however has repeatedly denied sexual abuse accusations.
After the sentence was learn, his lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, instructed reporters Kelly was “devastated” by the sentence however that he would attraction.
“Thirty years in jail is sort of a life sentence for him,” Bonjean mentioned.
‘Do you keep in mind that?’
The sentencing got here after a number of accusers, a few of whom have been tearful, instructed the choose about how Kelly promised to mentor them and assist them attain stardom, solely to topic them to degrading sexual therapy and bodily hurt.
Many mentioned the abuse led to psychological well being issues that persist.
“As an adolescent, I did not know methods to say no to R. Kelly when he requested me to carry out oral intercourse on him,” mentioned a lady recognized as Jane Doe No. 2.
She then paused, checked out Kelly, and requested, “Do you keep in mind that?”
Kelly wore a black face masks and beige jail clothes to his sentencing.
A number of accusers testified throughout the 5-1/2 week trial about how Kelly would demand that his victims strictly obey his guidelines.
These included needing his permission go to the lavatory, calling him “Daddy,” and writing “apology letters” that presupposed to absolve Kelly of wrongdoing, amongst others.
The alleged victims included the singer Aaliyah, who prosecutors mentioned Kelly fraudulently married when she was 15 to hide earlier abuse. Aaliyah died in 2001.
“It is a important consequence for all victims of R. Kelly and particularly for the survivors who so bravely testified in regards to the horrific and sadistic abuse they endured,” Breon Peace, the highest federal prosecutor in Brooklyn, instructed reporters after the listening to.
No regret
He was convicted on 9 prison expenses, together with one rely of racketeering and eight counts of violating the Mann Act, which bars transporting folks throughout state strains for prostitution.
Prosecutors had urged a jail sentence of greater than 25 years, saying Kelly had demonstrated a “callous disregard” for his victims and proven no regret.
“I by no means thought that I’d be right here to see him be held accountable for the atrocious issues that he did to youngsters,” Lizzette Martinez, one of many accusers who spoke in court docket, instructed reporters after the listening to.
Protection legal professionals mentioned Kelly deserved not more than 10 years, the obligatory minimal, arguing that his historical past as an abused youngster might have led to his grownup “hypersexuality,” and that he not posed a risk.
Kelly has been in jail since July 2019.
He’ll possible be transported quickly to a jail in Chicago, the place he faces an August trial in federal court docket on youngster pornography and obstruction expenses. He additionally faces numerous state expenses in Illinois and Minnesota.
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