Popular American artist R Kelly was convicted of racketeering and running a sex ring using his influence as an artist to exploit and abuse girls and young women, and has been branded a ‘predator” by
The, “If I could turn back the hands of time” artist faced charges including bribery, sexual exploitation of a child, kidnapping, forced labour all dating back from as far as 1994 up to December.
The BBC reports that, after two days of deliberation, the jury found the popular star guilty on all nine charges he was facing, adding that he is expected to spent the rest of his life behind bars.
He is expected to be sentenced in May next year.
According to media reports, one of the women testifying told the court in a written submission that Kelly had imprisoned, drugged and raped her and that she has been hiding from him due to threats made after she had gone public.
Media reports also alleged that many of his victims contracted sexual transmitted diseases from him, which they have to live with for the rest of their lives.
Kelly is known for songs including “I Believe I Can Fly”, “Bump N’ Grind”, “Your Body’s Callin'”, “Gotham City”, “Ignition (Remix)”, “If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time”, “The World’s Greatest”, “I’m a Flirt (Remix)”, and the hip hopera “Trapped in the Closet”.
In 1998, Kelly won three Grammy Awards for “I Believe I Can Fly, and while he is primarily a singer and songwriter, he has written, produced, and remixed songs, singles, and albums for many artists.
He was also nominated for a Grammy Award in 1996 for writing Michael Jackson’s song “You Are Not Alone”.
