R. Kelly Loses Appeal as Sex Trafficking, Racketeering Convictions Are Upheld
R. Kelly’s attempt to overturn his sex trafficking and racketeering convictions has been rejected, solidifying his 30-year prison sentence.
The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan denied the disgraced R&B singer’s appeal on Wednesday, affirming his 2021 conviction in New York. The three-judge panel ruled that Kelly exploited his celebrity status for over 25 years to manipulate and abuse young women and girls.
“Evidence at trial showed that he would isolate them from friends and family, control nearly every aspect of their lives, and abuse them verbally, physically, and sexually,” the judges stated.
Kelly’s legal team argued that the case was marred by biased jurors and improperly applied laws, but the court dismissed these claims. His attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, criticized the ruling as “unprecedented” and signaled plans to take the case to the Supreme Court.
This is not the first legal setback for Kelly, as the Supreme Court previously declined to hear an appeal related to his 2022 conviction in Chicago for child sex offenses.
Meanwhile, new allegations against the singer have surfaced in the 2024 documentary Karma: A Daughter’s Story, in which Kelly’s daughter, Joann (known as Buku Abi), claims she was sexually abused by her father.
In the documentary, the 26-year-old describes a traumatic childhood incident, saying, “He was my everything. For a long time, I didn’t even wanna believe that it happened.”
Kelly’s lawyer has denied the allegations, stating that an investigation by Illinois child welfare authorities found no evidence to support the claims.
