The young lady appearing in R. Kelly’s infamous sexual assault tape leading to a 2008 child pornography child has agreed to cooperate with federal investigators.
The tape showed R. Kelly engaging in sexual acts and urinating on the teen. Now in her thirties, the then 14-year-old refused to testify during the initial trial. Now identified as singer Sparkle’s niece, the young adult joins several other alleged victims working with the prosecution according to The New York Times.
An unsealed federal indictment reports R. Kelly gave the girl and her family gifts before and after the trial and in return, she lied to investigators, became unavailable for questioning and agreed not to testify.
After the 2008 trial, several jurors made it known her refusal to testify made a conviction difficult, leading to R. Kelly’s acquittal. Now, hopefully with her cooperation, she and others will have justice. The New York Times reports, R. Kelly’s crimes are against over 12 girls as young as seventh grade and Angel Krull, federal prosecutor, says if convicted, Kelly faces a maximum of 195 years in prison.
R. Kelly’s lawyer tells The New York Times “I don’t know anything about it.” in response to this latest development. R. Kelly currently remains in custody held without bond. The singer faces federal charges on child pornography, sexual assault, racketeering and obstruction of justice.
