Article Author:
Associated Press
Michael Term
CHICAGO (AP) — A woman who prosecutors claim R. Kelly manipulated for sex since she was 14 took the witness stand on Thursday. She was the first accuser to testify in the singer's hometown of Chicago in Kelly's child pornography and obstruction of justice trial. Known as "Adult 1" and under the pseudonym "Jane" during her trial, she was the central figure in Kelly's legal troubles that stretched back more than 20 years. Prosecutors say a video of Kelly having sex with Jane around 2000 led to the singer's initial investigation. , but Jane explained that she grew up in a musical family outside of Chicago. This included that she was homeschooled as she was part of a touring musical group.
One of the most serious charges the Grammy Award-winner faces in federal court was his 2008 state child pornography trial, which allegedly involved him and his videos. It is a conspiracy to obstruct justice through fraud resulting from Jane having sex. Among other things, prosecutors say Kelly retaliated and threatened Jane not to testify at her trial. She didn't, and he was eventually acquitted.
Kelly is also on trial for creating child pornography and soliciting a minor for sex.
Unlike the 2008 trial, Jane has cooperated with prosecutors leading up to the current trial and has been a pivotal witness.
The Chicago conviction adds to his 30-year prison sentence already served this year by a New York federal judge for using his fame to sexually abuse other young fans. Potentially adding decades. Various accusers testified at that trial.
The first time Jane met Kelly was in her late 1990s when she was in middle school. She was tagging along to Kelly's Chicago recording studio with her aunt, a professional singer who works with Kelly. Shortly after that meeting, Jane told her parents that Kelly would be her godfather. He said he filmed Jane's video in a log cabin-themed room at his home in Chicago. Man "Daddy" federal prosecutor says she and Kelly had sex hundreds of times over the years in their home, recording studio and tour bus.
} Kelly, a star singer, songwriter and producer who rose out of poverty on Chicago's South Side to become a star singer, songwriter and producer, knew a 2008 conviction would effectively end his life, so prosecutors said he He says he conspired to amend the trial.
According to prosecutors, Kelly told his parents and Jane to leave Chicago and paid for travel to the Bahamas and Cancun, Mexico. When they returned, prosecutors say Kelly tried to isolate Jane and moved her to another hotel. 's father and mother denied it was her.
On June 13, 2008, tears streamed down his face when he was acquitted of all charges of child pornography. Some jurors told reporters after the trial they weren't sure the woman in the video was who state prosecutors said she was. 50}
Prior to her 2008 trial, Kelly carried a duffel bag full of sex tapes everywhere she went for years, although court filings show that some tapes were later released. has gone missing.
In the early 2000s, his aunt showed her parents a copy of a video depicting her daughter having sex with Kelly. When they confronted Kelly, he told them, "Are you for or against me," government documents say. .
Kelly, who denies any wrongdoing, has been hounded for decades by complaints and allegations about his sexual behavior: The #MeToo era and his 6 part in 2019 The scrutiny intensified after the documentary Surviving R. Kelly.
Kelly also faces four lawsuits against him for sexually seducing minors. They are also expected to testify.
Prosecutors told jurors that the evidence included at least three videos showing Kelly having sex with underage girls.
Two of Kelly's colleagues, Derell McDavid and Milton Brown, are co-defendants. McDavid was accused of helping Kelly fix a 2008 trial, and Brown was charged with receiving child pornography.Like Kelly, they also deny any wrongdoing.
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