R. Kelly prosecutors urge jury to make him 'pay for his crimes' as trial nears close
The trial of R. Kelly is nearing its end, and prosecutors wrapped hours of closing arguments by urging jurors to make the disgraced R&B star "pay for his crimes."
Kelly, who has long faced allegations of sexually abusing underage girls, has been on trial in New York on racketeering and sex trafficking charges. On Thursday, prosecutors ended their closing arguments after more than six hours, BuzzFeed News' Julia Reinstein reports.
"It is time to hold the defendant responsible for the pain he inflicted on each of his victims: Aaliyah, Stephanie, Sonja, Jerhonda, Jane and Faith," assistant U.S. attorney Elizabeth Geddes said, per The New York Times. "It is now time for the defendant to pay for his crimes. Convict him."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Kelly is facing charges stemming from the alleged abuse of six victims, including a racketeering charge that requires prosecutors to demonstrate that the "abuse was part of an organized criminal operation," the Times writes. In her closing argument, Geddes emphasized that Kelly's "enablers" allowed him to allegedly abuse his victims over the course of two decades.
"When someone commits a crime as part of a group, he's more powerful — more dangerous," Geddes said, the Times reports. "Without his inner circle, the defendant could not have carried out the crimes he carried out for as long as he did."
Geddes also told jurors that Kelly "used lies, manipulation, threats and physical abuse to dominate his victims" and that he was able to "hide in plain sight" because of his wealth and fame. The jury has heard testimony from numerous women who accused Kelly of abuse, and well as testimony regarding his illegal marriage to Aaliyah when she was 15. Kelly, who has pleaded not guilty and denied all allegations of sexual abuse, confirmed Wednesday he would not testify. The defense's closing argument is expected to begin on Thursday afternoon.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Is ChatGPT's new search engine OpenAI's Google 'killer'?
Talking Point There's a new AI-backed search engine in town. But can it stand up to Google's decades-long hold on internet searches?
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: November 5, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku hard: November 5, 2024
The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published