R. Kelly, the famous music star, faced a setback on Wednesday when a New York court rejected his appeal against a 30-year prison sentence. He was convicted of serious charges, including racketeering and sex trafficking, in 2021. The court found that R Kelly and his team exploited his fame to lure and control young women, keeping them quiet and obedient.
R Kelly’s lawyers tried to argue that the way he was convicted was unfair, suggesting that the law used against him, known as the RICO statute, was meant for organized crime and not for individual cases like his. They mentioned that they might take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The appeals court, however, stated that there was enough evidence to support Kelly’s convictions. They highlighted how he used his team to manipulate and abuse women for over 25 years, isolating them from their families and controlling their lives.
R Kelly’s team also questioned the fairness of the jurors in his trial, claiming some had biased opinions about him. The appeals court ruled that the jury selection process was thorough and fair.
Additionally, R Kelly’s lawyers challenged the restitution payments made to two of his victims who were infected with herpes during their relationships with him. They argued that one victim received a large amount of money for a specific brand of medication, suggesting it was unfair since generics are much cheaper.
However, the appeals court agreed with the original decision, stating that the restitution was justified because the victims had to deal with the consequences of R Kelly’s actions. They emphasized that the victims deserved to be compensated for their suffering and did not have to choose cheaper options just to save R Kelly money.
