Former pop superstar R. Kelly, 55, was found guilty of sexual abuse last year. Now the verdict has been announced: the singer of hits like “I Believe I Can Fly” has to go to prison for 30 years.
Prosecutors had accused Kelly of, among other things, sexual exploitation of minors, kidnapping, forced labour, bribery and sex trafficking in the years 1994 to 2018. Kelly’s crimes were “calculated, carefully planned and carried out regularly over a period of nearly 25 years,” said Judge Ann Donnelly. She also imposed a $100,000 fine. Kelly himself did not comment – according to his defense attorney because of the pending further processes. There are also charges against the musician in the US states of Illinois and Minnesota. A trial in Chicago is scheduled to begin in mid-August. The 55-year-old recorded the sentence on Wednesday without moving. “He’s not sitting here without regrets,” said defense attorney Jennifer Bonjean.
Source: Nachrichten
