R. Kelly's lead attorney told jurors during her closing argument Tuesday that federal prosecutors' case accusing the singer, largely rests on the testimony of perjurers and blackmailers.
Musician R. Kelly leaves the Daley Center in May 2019 in Chicago after a hearing in his child support case.R. Kelly's lead attorney told jurors during her closing argument Tuesday that federal prosecutors' case accusing the singer of producing child pornography, enticing minors for sex and rigging his 2008 child porn trial largely rests on the testimony of perjurers and blackmailers.
Among others, she cited Kelly ex-girlfriend Lisa Van Allen, who testified about how she stole a sex tape from a Kelly gym bag in the early 2000s. Bonjean also pointed to the testimony of Kelly's former merchandizing agent Charles Freeman, who told jurors that he asked the singer for $1 million in exchange for returning another sex tape that could potentially incriminate the singer. Both testified with immunity.
Bonjean reminded jurors that she told them during her opening statement that the government would rely on"perjurers, blackmailers and extortionists," and said prosecutors had done just that. Kelly attorney Jennifer Bonjean twice called for a mistrial Monday, complaining that closing arguments by attorneys for Kelly co-defendants Derrell McDavid and Milton Brown were grounded in the presumption that"the world now knows Mr. Kelly is a sex predator."
Known for his smash hit"I Believe I Can Fly" and for sex-infused songs such as"Bump n' Grind," Kelly sold millions of albums even after allegations of sexual misconduct began circulating in the 1990s. Widespread outrage emerged after the #MeToo reckoning and the 2019 docuseries"Surviving R. Kelly." Pozolo focused much of her closing argument on the government's star witness, an accuser who went by"Jane" and who said Kelly sexually abused her hundreds of times starting when she was 14.She reminded jurors of graphic video footage they had watched, which Jane testified depicted Kelly, at around age 30, abusing her when she was 14. The videos shown included one at the heart Kelly's 2008 trial.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jury could start deliberating Tuesday in Chicago R Kelly trial after 1 juror excusedIs R Kelly in jail? The R&B singer has been in custody since his New York conviction.
Read more »
Closing arguments begin in Chicago R Kelly trialIs R Kelly still in prison? The R&B singer has been held in custody since his New York conviction.
Read more »
R. Kelly Utilized His Fame to Abuse Minors, Prosecutor Says During Closing ArgumentsAddressing jurors in a courtroom in Chicago, Kelly’s hometown, Elizabeth Pozolo cited one of Kelly’s accusers who was the government’s star witness at the monthlong trial.
Read more »
Closing arguments set for R. Kelly trial on fixing chargesClosing arguments are scheduled Monday for R. Kelly and two co-defendants in the R&B singer’s trial on federal charges of trial-fixing, child pornography and enticing minors for sex
Read more »
R. Kelly Used Fame and Influence to Abuse Goddaughter, Prosecutor Says as Closing Arguments Get UnderwayAttorneys for both the prosecution and defense prepared to deliver their final statements to jurors in the trial of R. Kelly and his former employees, Derrel McDavid and June Brown.
Read more »