Kelly, the popular R&B star, was sentenced Wednesday to 30 years in prison.
He was sentenced in New York by US District Judge Ann Donnelly, who spoke at length before the sentencing. At one point, I quoted a victim impact statement from a woman known in court as Stephanie, who told Kelly, "There was no price so high that no one would pay for your happiness."
“This case is not about sex,” the judge said. "It's about violence, cruelty and control."
Donnelly acknowledged the points raised by the defense, including that Kelly had a very difficult childhood, with sexual abuse from her sister and the owner. But he added, "You are a person of great merits: fame, world fame, untold money."
Kelly refused to speak personally to the court. His attorney cited the ongoing cases: a second federal trial in Illinois, set to begin August 15, and separate criminal charges in Minnesota. The charges include child pornography and obstruction of justice.
Kelly's trial
Last year, Kelly was convicted of child sexual exploitation, extortion, bribery and sex trafficking. The jury found that the government had established that Kelly was at the head of a criminal plot to recruit and coerce girls, boys and women into sexual relations.
During the weeks-long trial, several victims devised a pattern in which they could see Kelly on or off the show, and one of Kelly's partners gave them a phone number to call. From there, they will fall into a system of sexual and psychological abuse. Kelly forced his victims to perform sexual acts to satisfy him (which he often described). He set strict rules dictating where his victims could go and who they could talk to. Force them to write letters or record a video of themselves claiming to do everything on their own.
The defendants talked about how they were injured
Before the judge announced Kelly's decision, seven women made their own statements about her and the abuse they had experienced. At no time did Kelly look at her accusers.
"We can live again," said a woman identified in court as Angela.
She said, "I am a representation of every woman, child, child, and man who has been shocked by your unfortunate and inexcusable actions, and for this I leave you, Robert Sylvester Kelly."
Another woman, identified in court as Jane Doe 2, described her depression and stress related to Kelly's abuse. He paused his comments to get her attention when Kelly whispered something to her lawyer. She said, "I'm sorry." "I don't want to interrupt your conversation."
"Many people love you and hate us," said a man named Charles, father of another woman, in a tone of resignation. He noted that Kelly showed no remorse. Charles Kelly urged confession and ask God's forgiveness.
Kelly's defense attorney vows to appeal
"He's clearly devastated," Kelly's attorney, Jennifer Bunjian, said outside the courtroom. “Thirty years in prison is a life sentence for him, but at the same time we knew that the government was asking for 25 years. We were ready for what the judge could impose and we are now ready to face this call.”
Victims have been heard
After his sentencing hearing, U.S. Attorney General Bron Pace said the case meant "hearing the voices of mostly black women and children and believing the voices of the Freemasons, and ultimately doing justice."
The decision comes after decades of accusations against the multi-platinum singer. In 2008, he was tried in his hometown of Chicago on charges of child pornography. He was acquitted of all charges.
From there, Kelly went on to live her life as a star, performing all over the world and selling tickets.
In 2019, the television documentary series Surviving R. Kelly renewed interest in allegations of sexual assault against Kelly and provided continued impetus to activists who pushed for Kelly's removal from the airwaves and the stage.
Jovant Cunningham, one of the defendants who appeared at Surviving R. Kelly, said after the verdict, "There has never been a day in my life, until now, where I truly believed the justice system would come for black girls." Thirty years they did this and 30 years what happened."
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