R. Kelly Found Guilty on All Charges of Sex Trafficking
An artist with incredible talent but a disturbing dark side has been found guilty of heinous crimes in a court of law.
The New York Times, New York Post, CNN, and several other news outlets report that R. Kelly has been found guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking.
The 54-year-old, real name Robert Kelly, could now face life in prison.
Kelly was accused of using a network of friends and business partners to transport underage girls across state lines, then sexually abusing these trafficking victims.
One such person, now a grown woman, testified that Kelly used violence and sex to control her life. Kelly reportedly filmed some of his encounters with underage people, then used the footage to control and silence victims.
The jury in Kelly's case deliberated for nine hours over two days before reaching their verdict.
In the coming years, arguments around Kelly's musical legacy will no doubt center around whether we can or should separate the art and the artist.
Kelly has definitely been one of the most undeniable, talented songwriters, singers, and performers of all time. If I’m being completely honest, TP-2.com is one of my favorite albums. When we look at celebrities, we usually look at them, if not as role models, then maybe just people to admire from afar. The thought of " predator" should never enter anyone's mind, but in recent years we've seen many artists in music, film, and TV be outed as just that.
Robert Kelly who is best known for his album 12 Play, and his mega hit single 'I Believe I can Fly' for the Space Jam soundtrack. Plus, who could forget the comical but entertaining series of Trapped in the Closet.
As accusations emerged over the years and he went on trial, the world watched how Robert Kelly’s career imploded in a blink of an eye. The sexual allegations he faced were something people had speculated about for years, but with no proof or reliable witnesses, charges could not stick against the once beloved 90's R&B superstar.
In recent years, Kelly has been the subject of documentaries and even Lifetime movies about his behavior. At one point, Americans were glued to their TV's to view a disturbing series called surviving R. Kelly.
Growing up listening to R. Kelly, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a fan of his music. Whatever else he is, the man is a musical genius - there’s no denying that.
Having said that, growing up and becoming a mother has made me hope and pray that he will one day understand what type of damage he has done to these victims and their families.
I don’t know what I would do exactly if I was placed in the same predicament as the parents of those sad victims. It’s so ironic, because R. Kelly has gone by the alias The Pied Piper of R&B, and now it's time to pay the piper.