R Kelly Appeals 30-Year Sex Crime Sentence, Alleging Prosecutorial Misconduct

R&B singer R Kelly has lodged an appeal with a New York court seeking to overturn his 30-year racketeering sentence, which he received in 2022 after being found guilty of racketeering and trafficking. Kelly, whose legal name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, contends that prosecutors failed to sufficiently prove their case and that he was denied a fair trial.

During the appeal hearing, Kelly’s lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, challenged the definition of a RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) enterprise and questioned whether there was inherent criminality in the organization Kelly was accused of leading. Bonjean also argued that Kelly’s staff members were not aware of any illegal activities transpiring behind closed doors.

Assistant US attorney Kayla Bensing, representing the United States, countered Bonjean’s arguments by alleging that Kelly had a system in place to lure young individuals into his orbit and control their lives. Bensing cited instances where Kelly’s staff members allegedly facilitated backstage encounters with underage girls and described Kelly’s pattern of behavior, including his illegal marriage to Aaliyah and instances of herpes transmission to victims.

The appeal also addressed claims of forced labor, with Bensing asserting that Kelly obtained labor and services, including sex acts, through threats and coercion against his victims. Bonjean rebutted these claims, arguing that the forced labor counts were based on isolated incidents and did not constitute a pattern of criminal behavior.

The judges will deliberate on the appeal and issue a written decision at a later date. If unsuccessful, Kelly, currently 57 years old, will not be eligible for release until he is 80. The singer, once renowned for chart-topping hits, has faced mounting allegations of abuse, particularly following the #MeToo movement and the release of the documentary series “Surviving R Kelly.”