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09th Jun 2022

Prosecutors say R Kelly deserves more than 25 years in prison for sexual abuse

Katy Brennan

The singer “severely physically and psychologically scarred all of his victims”.

Prosecutors in the US have said that R Kelly deserves to spend more than 25 years in prison for his crimes.

The R&B singer, whose full name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, was convicted in September of sex trafficking, exploiting his superstar status to run a scheme to sexually abuse women and minors over two decades.

In a filing in Brooklyn federal court on Wednesday, prosecutors said he remains a “serious danger” to the public, which justifies keeping him behind bars until well into his 70s.

They argued Kelly showed no remorse for what he did, and that his actions were fueled by narcissism and a belief that his “musical talent absolved him of any need to conform his conduct, no matter how predatory, harmful, humiliating or abusive to others”.

Kelly’s lawyer argued that he should spend fewer than 14 years in prison, and will, in a filing next Monday, explain why his “history and characteristics” justify this.

He will face a minimum 10-year sentence at his 29 June sentencing.

The 55-year-old has previously denied the accusations against him.

But prosecutors say he “severely physically and psychologically scarred all of his victims repeatedly and consistently”.

Witnesses recalled Kelly demanding that his victims strictly obey his rules such as needing his permission to eat or go to the bathroom, calling him “Daddy”, and writing “apology letters”.

Much of the case has focused on the experience of six women, including the late singer Aaliyah, who Kelly married when she was just 15.

In his federal case, Kelly was found guilty of all nine counts he faced – including racketeering, sexual exploitation of a child, kidnapping, bribery and sex trafficking charges – as well as eight counts of violating the Mann Act, which prohibits sex trafficking across state lines.

Kelly also faces charges in Chicago, Illinois and Minnesota on child pornography and obstruction.