Former pop superstar R. Kelly faces 30 years in prison. This was announced by a New York court on Wednesday. As early as autumn 2021, a jury had found the now 55-year-old guilty on all nine counts. The trial involved sexual exploitation of minors, kidnapping and bribery, among other things.
“You destroyed the lives of so many people”
After more than four hours and a break, the court announced the sentence. Previously, seven of Kelly’s victims – some in tears – had spoken and reported, among other things, how they were abused by the once successful star. “I don’t know how to put into words everything I’ve been through. I’m 45 now, a mother and struggling with my mental health,” said Lizzette Martinez, who met R. Kelly in 1995. She finally turned to him and said, “Robert, you’ve ruined the lives of so many people.” Kelly either stared straight ahead at the notes on the table in front of him or chatted quietly to his defense attorneys during all of the statements.
Jennifer Bonjean, the musician’s lawyer, also spoke again. She told Judge Ann M. Donnelly not to convict Kelly “on the basis of inflamed emotion” but to refer to the September 2021 conviction. She also reiterated that Kelly “grew up in a very chaotic home” and was sexually abused. She said, “Mr. Kelly denies that he is a monster.” R. Kelly, who has been in prison since his arrest in the summer of 2019, declined to make a statement before the sentencing.
“Crimes were calculated and carefully planned”
Judge Ann M. Donnelly said, according to the New York Times, that “the public must be protected from such conduct.” She also stated: “These crimes were calculated and carefully planned and carried out regularly for almost 25 years.” Addressing Kelly, Donnelly said, “You taught [your victims] that love means enslavement and violence.”
