Singer R. Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison for sexual harassment and human trafficking.

American singer R. Kelly was sentenced this Wednesday in New York to 30 years in prison for organized crime, sexual assault and human trafficking, nine months after he was found guilty in a six-week trial in which dozens of people testified against him.

1990s R&B star whose full name is Robert Sylvester Kelly and now 55 years old, heard the testimony of seven women, many of them in tears, who once again recalled in front of the singer the suffering and consequences of the bullying he subjected them to, local media reported.

Victims for the last time in front of the singer

Among them was Lizzette Martinez, 45, who assured the room that she was still struggling with her mental issues.

Another woman appeared, identified under the pseudonym Angela. R. Kellywho was unwilling to say before sentencing that he had used his fame and power to “deceive and educate underage boys and girls for his own sexual gratification.”

Hours before today’s hearing, the federal judge presiding over the trial, Ann Donnellydenied the latest motion made by the defendant’s defense, which sought the acquittal of the multi-Grammy winner or a retrial.

In her note, the judge summarized that “the defendant, an international music star, was charged with using his fame and organization to engage young people in abusive sexual relationships, an organized criminal activity that, according to the government, lasted for about 25 years.

During sentencing, Donnelly insisted that people be protected from behavior like that of the former R&B star.

A process full of evidence

Throughout the process, the prosecutor’s office called “45 witnesses” to the podium and presented hundreds of evidence, including written, video and audio recordings of bullying that the defendant, with the help of his employees and associates, subjected his victims to. “

Prosecutors asked the judge for a sentence of more than 25 years in prison and a fine of between $50,000 and $250,000 (finally set at $100,000) “in light of the seriousness of the crimes, the need to serve as a deterrent, and the need to protect the public from further offenses on the part of the defendant.

For its part, the defense requested that it should not exceed 10 years, arguing that the defendant’s “traumatic childhood, including evidence of sexual abuse by family members and non-family members.”

A dozen witnesses during the process assured that they had been subjected to sexual violence. R. Kellywhile others have detailed ongoing abuses.

The women described a charismatic celebrity on stage who frequently assaulted young victims who attended his concerts, sometimes raping them backstage minutes after the event.

Testimony also reveals long-term abuse by Kelly against his partners, whom he beat and forced to call him “daddy” (daddy).

Similarly, he controlled how they dressed, when they could use the bathroom or eat, how they should interact with other men, or whether they could leave the rooms of the residences or hotels in which he kept them.

In addition, they found that R. Kelly he used a network of collaborators to help him in his efforts to recruit young girls, isolate and intimidate them.

(As reported by EFE)

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