
A jury of seven men and five women in the Eastern District Court of New York has reached a verdict in the ongoing trial of the United States of America v. Robert Sylvester Kelly. After a trial that lasted more than three weeks, a jury of Kelly’s peers found him guilty of racketeering and violating the Mann Act. As a result, Kelly could spend the rest of his life in prison for violating the livelihoods of countless individuals.
“I’ve been practicing law for 47 years. During this time, I’ve pursued many sexual predators who have committed crimes against women and children. Of all the predators that I have pursued, Mr. Kelly is the worst,” attorney Gloria Allred said after the verdict was read.
Prior to the start of the trial, U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly barred media members and outside cameras from entering the courtroom due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, there are no photos or videos of Kelly’s reaction to the verdict. However, news of his potential life sentence traveled quickly through the world of social media.
“R. Kelly survivors have endured so much and this verdict won’t end the pain but it does matter,” MSNBC legal analyst and former New York mayoral candidate Maya Wiley tweeted.
“R. Kelly has been found guilty. This tweet should be 20 years old,” WUSA 9’s Reese Waters added.
Kelly will remain in police custody as he awaits his sentencing date in New York. The singer-songwriter also faces child pornography and obstruction of justice charges in Illinois.