R. Kelly’s sex-crime conviction and 20-year sentence in Chicago’s federal court will stand, an appeals court ruled Friday in a blistering opinion.
“For years, Robert Sylvester Kelly abused underage girls. By employing a complex scheme to keep victims quiet, he long evaded consequences. In recent years, though, those crimes caught up with him at last,” Judge Amy St. Eve of the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals wrote in the terse, 14-page ruling.
The appellate court also denied Kelly’s request for resentencing, saying they had no grounds to second-guess the 20-year prison term U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber handed down. A federal jury in Chicago convicted Kelly in 2022 on child pornography charges for explicit videos he made of himself and his then 14-year-old goddaughter, “Jane.” Kelly was also found guilty of inappropriate sexual relations with Jane and two other teenage girls, “Pauline” and “Nia.” The jury acquitted Kelly on separate charges of conspiring to rig his prior Cook County child pornography trial.
Kelly is also appealing his conviction in a separate federal case out of New York, where a jury found him guilty of broad racketeering charges. He was sentenced to 30 years in the case; most of his prison term for the Chicago conviction is to be served concurrently.on the Chicago case, St. Eve seemed skeptical, noting that no federal circuit has yet sided with Bonjean’s position.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NFL Draft continues Friday with Chicago Bears set to pick in 3rd roundThe Chicago Bears will be back on the clock at the NFL Draft Friday, one day after selecting quarterback Caleb Williams first overall and wide receiver Rome Odunze ninth overall.
Read more »
Showers to decrease in overnight hours Thursday into Friday in ChicagoShowers to decrease in overnight hours Thursday into Friday in Chicago
Read more »
Pro-Palestinian rally planned in Chicago Friday amid Israel-Hamas tensionsPro-Palestinian supporters plan to rally outside of the Ogilvie Transportation Center on Friday.
Read more »
Chicago to celebrate Deep Dish Pizza Day on FridayChicago to celebrate Deep Dish Pizza Day on Friday
Read more »
Chicago holds Good Friday stations of the cross procession in Little Village ahead of EasterChristians in Chicago and around the world are observing Good Friday. Many took part Friday in the living stations of the cross tradition in Little Village.
Read more »
Parts of Chicago area at marginal risk for severe weather Friday eveningSome western suburbs in the Chicago area will be at a marginal risk for severe weather on Friday evening, with chances of potentially severe thunderstorms and…
Read more »