Brooklyn, NY – R. Kelly’s lawyer argued in front of an appeals court recently that the R&B superstar was wrongly convicted of sexually abusing young fans, including children, under a racketeering statute typically used to combat organized crime. Attorney Jennifer Bonjean sought to overturn Kelly’s 2021 convictions or secure a new trial by contending that the prosecution misused a law meant for shutting down criminal organizations to target the singer.
During the hearing at the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan, Bonjean emphasized that it was unjust for prosecutors to charge Kelly, 57, with leading a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) comprised of individuals who facilitated his music career and recruited women and girls for illicit sexual activities and child pornography production.
The judges at the appeals court posed several questions to both Bonjean and the prosecutor regarding the government’s handling of the case, including Kelly’s network of aides and employees who allegedly enabled his predatory behavior towards young individuals. The prosecutor, Assistant US Attorney Kayla Bensing, defended the conviction by highlighting instances where members of Kelly’s inner circle were aware of his illegal activities with underage girls.
Kelly, known for hits like “I Believe I Can Fly,” has faced legal troubles for years, including a 2008 acquittal on child pornography charges in Chicago. However, a 2022 trial in Chicago resulted in his conviction on charges related to producing child pornography and enticing minors for sex. Despite his past successes in the music industry, Kelly’s reputation has been tarnished by the #MeToo movement, particularly after the release of the documentary “Surviving R. Kelly.”
Throughout the proceedings, the court grappled with the question of whether Kelly’s associates were complicit in his criminal activities or if they were unaware of the severity of his actions. The outcome of the appeals court hearing will determine the next steps in the legal saga surrounding the embattled music artist.