R. Kelly Sex-Trafficking Trial Begins in New York

The second week of the R. Kelly sex-trafficking trial in New York City proved to be an exercise by prosecutors to paint the "I Believe I Can Fly" R&B star as a man-child control freak and a compulsive sex offender who exploited vulnerable victims less than half his age while ordering them to call him "Daddy." Defense attorneys for the 54-year-old entertainer, born Robert Sylvester Kelly, countered by seeking to portray the accusers as lying opportunists trying to leverage Kelly’s fame.

NEW YORK -- The second week of the R.

Kelly Clarkson and Kristin Chenoweth are teaming up for a new project!

NEW YORK -- Here's what to know about R Kelly's criminal trial in New York, which began Wednesday:WHAT IS R. KELLY KNOWN FOR?You’ve probably heard “I Believe I Can Fly” at an inspirational moment or “Ignition (Remix)” at a college party.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorAn attorney for R. Kelly attempted to discredit one of the accusers leveling allegations of sexual abuse against the singer on Thursday, after she’d claimed he had slapped and choked her during what she described as their final sexual encounter more than 10 years ago.Jerhonda Johnson Pace, the first witness testifying for prosecutors in Kelly’s long-delayed racketeering trial in New York, is among multiple women leveling claims of sexual abuse against Kelly.

Jerhonda Pace resumed her testimony in R. Kelly's sex-trafficking trial, alleging that she was subject to strict rules from the R&B singer for sexual encounters he would often videotape when she was a minor.

at the R. Kelly sex-trafficking trial returned to the witness stand on Thursday, saying he often videotaped their sexual encounters and demanded she dress like a Girl Scout during a relationship that began when she was a minor.Jerhonda Pace resumed her testimony in Brooklyn federal court a day after telling jurors she was a 16-year-old virgin and a member of Kelly’s fan club when he invited her to his mansion in 2010.

The first of R Kelly’s trials in which he faces charges of sexual abuse began in a New York court yesterday. The prosecution told the jury that this was a case “not about a celebrity who likes to party a lot” but “about a predator”.

Content warning: This story contains discussion and descriptions of sexual abuse.On the opening day of R.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorJerhonda Johnson Pace told a federal jury that she began having sex with R. Kelly shortly after she turned 16, as the singer’s racketeering trial got under way in Brooklyn on Wednesday.

NEW YORK -- Here's what to know about R Kelly's criminal trial in New York, which began Wednesday:WHAT IS R. KELLY KNOWN FOR?You’ve probably heard “I Believe I Can Fly” at an inspirational moment or “Ignition (Remix)” at a college party.

R. Kelly will be in criminal court Wednesday for his long-awaited sex trafficking trial.

Ellise Shafer administratorMore than 25 years after allegations of sexual abuse against R. Kelly first began to surface, the singer’s New York criminal trial is set to begin its opening statements today (Aug.

R. Kelly's legal saga continues on Aug.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorJust days after Jay-Z and Roc Nation took part in a $325 million investment in the Fanatics sports e-commerce platform, the rapper, along with Fanatics onwer and Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin have applied for a New York gaming license to form Fanatics Sportsbook. The news was first reported by TMZ and ESPN and confirmed by Variety.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorLegendary singer Tony Bennett — who celebrated his 95th birthday just last week, performing with Lady Gaga at two-sold out shows at New York’s Radio City Music Hall — has canceled his Fall 2021 tour dates.The tour — consisting of pre-pandemic shows dates had been rescheduled — was slated to begin in September. The affected dates include New York, Maryland and Connecticut as well as Oklahoma and Canada.

Jury selection in the first of the R Kelly sex abuse trials was completed yesterday, with opening statements in the New York case scheduled to begin next week.Judge Ann Donnelly swore in the twelve person jury – made up of seven men and five women – following a three day selection process during which dozens of potential jurors were questioned.Donnelly obviously needed assurances from all of those who will sit on the jury that they will be able to remain impartial, despite the intense media

R&B star R. Kelly will face an anonymous jury made up of seven men and five women when his New York City sex trafficking trial goes forward next week with opening statements.

NEW YORK -- R&B star R. Kelly will face an anonymous jury made up of seven men and five women when his New York City sex trafficking trial goes forward next week with opening statements.The panel was sworn in on Wednesday after dozens of potential jurors were screened by U.S.