R&B king R. Kelly, who became popular in the 1990s with the song “I Believe I Can Fly”, was convicted in the US federal court yesterday (29th) for a number of crimes including human trafficking, fraud, kidnapping, manipulation of prostitution and sexual assault of minors 9 He was sentenced to 30 years in prison and a fine of 100,000 US dollars (about 784,000 Hong Kong dollars)!
Sentencing Judge Ann Donnelly, the evidence showed he was indifferent to human suffering and committed “total atrocities” against his victims. “This case isn’t about sex. It’s about violence, cruelty and control,” she said. Before sentencing, R. Kelly, 55, had pleaded with a lawyer, saying his childhood had been subjected to severe and prolonged sexual abuse, Poverty and violence, growing up suffering from literacy deficiencies and being scammed, hope that the court will impose no more than ten years in prison. And multiple victims tearfully charged R. Kelly in court. A victim said she had lost hope, and this sentence has restored her confidence in the legal system.
In addition to this case, R. Kelly still faces child pornography and obstruction of justice charges in a Chicago court, with a trial expected to begin Aug. 15.