Monday 15 August 2022 05:37 PM Jury selection begins for R Kelly's Chicago trial claiming he fixed his 2008 ... trends now
The jury selection for disgraced singer R. Kelly's 2008 child pornography scandal begins in Chicago on Monday following allegations the singer fixed his 2008 child pornography trial where he was found not guilty of having sex with a 14-year-old.
The 55-year-old R&B star was handed a 30-year prison sentence for racketeering and sex trafficking in June. He was being held at a Brooklyn jail and was recently transferred to Chicago's Metropolitan Correctional Center.
The jury will now commence at the Dirksen US Courthouse to discuss the singer's charges after he was found not guilty in a 2008 child pornography trial when he allegedly threatened and paid off a girl who says he filmed them having sex when she was about 14-years-old.
He is accused of allegedly conspiring with two associates to rig a child pornography case in Cook County and hiding a slew of sexual assault allegations against minors. The sex tape was played for jurors in 2008.
The jury selection for R. Kelly's Chicago trial on charges that he fixed a 2008 child pornography case begins on Monday. Above, Kelly pictured during his sentencing on June 29
The jury is commencing at the Dirksen US Courthouse (above) to discuss the singers charges 2008 child pornography trial when he allegedly threatened and paid off minor he allegedly filmed having sex with
Prosecutors say that Kelly had sex with the girl hundreds of times over the years in multiple settings, including his homes, tour buses, and recording studios, according to the Associated Press.
The films allegedly shot by Kelly between 1998 and 2000, included a log cabin room at his home in Chicago.
The girl who was about 14-years-old at the time, can be heard in the video calling the singer 'daddy.'
The unidentified, now woman in her 30s, will testify at the upcoming trial that will take place in the singers hometown of Chicago after not doing so in 2008. She alleges that she met the singer in 1990s when she was in high school when her aunt used to work with Kelly, according to the Associated Press.
It is believed Kelly threatened the girl and her family to avoid them appearing in court. When the girls parents were shown a copy of the video in the early 2000s, they confronted Kelly. The singer told them, 'You're with me or against me,' according to a government filing.
Derrel McDavid and Miton Brown, associates of the R&B singer are co-defendants in the upcoming trial, according to Fox News. McDavid, Kelly's former manager, is accused of assisting Kelly in rigging the 2008 trial. Meanwhile, Brown is on trial for receiving access to the child pornography.
Four witnesses are anticipated to speak at the trial. Kelly faces potential counts of luring minors for sex. If convicted, decades may be added to Kelly's 30-year sentence.
Meanwhile, the disgraced singers attorney warns it 'will be difficult' for the jury to give a fair trial due to the 'media war' on Kelly.
'To those inquiring... jury selection commences Monday,' Criminal Defense Attorney Jennifer BonJean wrote on Twitter. 'Will be difficult to find 12 people who can be fair given the media war on my client. The government starts with an incredible advantage but we are going to fight like hell to get a jury that will follow the law.'
Disgraced R&B star R Kelly was transferred in July from the federal jail in Brooklyn to the Metropolitan Correctional Center. He is pictured above leaving the Leighton Criminal Court Building in 2019
Derrel McDavid (above), will appear as a defendant in the upcoming trial. McDavid, Kelly's former manager, is accused of assisting Kelly in rigging the 2008 trial
PICTURED: Derrel McDavid (left) arriving with Kelly at the Cook County Criminal Courts building for the 2008 trial
Prosecutors say that Kelly threatened the girl and her family around 2008 to avoid them appearing in court. PICTURED: Kelly at Brooklyn's Federal District Court at the start of his NY trial
Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center (pictured) where the disgraced singer was held after sentenced to 30 years in prison
