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Thursday, April 25, 2024

R. Kelly

The latest updates and coverage of Robert Sylvester Kelly, the entertainer known as R. Kelly, as he faces felony charges that include sexual abuse, child pornography and racketeering.

In this June 2019 file photo, singer R. Kelly appears at a hearing at Leighton Criminal Courthouse.
R. Kelly
R. Kelly verdict: Singer guilty in federal trial in Chicago, bringing closure to decadeslong legal saga
It took 11 hours for jurors in the R&B star’s trial to reach their decision, finding Kelly guilty on six of 13 counts.
By Jon Seidel and Andy Grimm
 
In this 2019 file photo, R. Kelly leaves the Daley Center after a child support hearing.
R. Kelly
R. Kelly jurors begin to deliberate after singer’s lawyer makes final pitch
Now in its fifth week, Kelly’s trial on federal child pornography and obstruction charges has reached its final stage.
By Jon Seidel and Andy Grimm
 
Singer R. Kelly appears for a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago.
R. Kelly
‘The hidden side of R. Kelly has come to light:’ Case will soon be in jurors’ hands
After four weeks of testimony, jurors will soon decide the fate of the Chicago-born R&B star and his two co-defendants.
By Jon Seidel and Andy Grimm
 
R. Kelly’s former business manager, Derrel McDavid, enters the Dirksen Federal Courthouse on Aug. 17 in Chicago.
R. Kelly
Closing arguments expected Monday in R. Kelly trial after defense rests
The trial ended its fourth week at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse with more than two days of testimony from Kelly’s co-defendant and former business manager, Derrel McDavid.
By Jon Seidel and Andy Grimm
 
Flanked by attorneys, Derrel McDavid, center, walks into the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in Chicago on Aug. 17 ahead of opening statements in his trial alongside singer R. Kelly.
R. Kelly
‘I’m embarrassed’: R. Kelly’s ex-business manager pulls U-turn, says he ‘learned a lot’ at trial
Kelly attorney Jennifer Bonjean objected to Derrel McDavid’s “theatrics.” McDavid took off his glasses, wiped away tears, and said, “this is not theatrics, ma’am.”
By Jon Seidel and Andy Grimm
 
Derrel McDavid (left) and singer R. Kelly walk into court during Kelly’s 2008 trial on child pornography charges in Cook County.
R. Kelly
Ex-R. Kelly business manager Derrel McDavid testifies he didn’t believe early claims against singer
Kelly attorney Jennifer Bonjean has complained about McDavid’s testimony, insisting it could prejudice her client. However, McDavid’s testimony so far seems more helpful than harmful to Kelly.
By Jon Seidel and Andy Grimm
 
Jim DeRogatis stands in August inside his Northwest Side home with boxes of his research on R. Kelly.
R. Kelly
Former Sun-Times reporter fights subpoena to testify in R. Kelly trial
Jim DeRogatis, a former music critic and reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, received an alleged child porn tape central to the current federal prosecution of singer R. Kelly from an anonymous source two decades ago.
By Andy Grimm
 
R. Kelly walks into the Daley Center for a hearing in a child support case.
R. Kelly
R. Kelly trial on hold after officials close federal courthouse
U.S. District Clerk of Court Thomas Bruton confirmed the Dirksen Federal Courthouse will be closed Tuesday and all jury trials will be suspended.
By Jon Seidel
 
Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza (10th) won’t seek a third term on the City Council.
City Hall
Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza won’t seek a third term
She was the first member of the Chicago Teachers Union to be elected to the City Council and the first woman to represent the 10th Ward — a position she’s held since 2015.
By Manny Ramos
 
R. Kelly walks with attorneys and supporters into the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in March 2019.
R. Kelly
R. Kelly says ‘I’m not going to testify’ as federal trial nears its end
Jurors have been told they’ll hear from one of Kelly’s co-defendants, former Kelly business manager Derrel McDavid, who is likely to take the stand Tuesday.
By Jon Seidel and Andy Grimm
 
R. Kelly walks out of the Daley Center after a hearing in a child support case in March 2019.
R. Kelly
R. Kelly defense team faces uphill battle to beat child porn case
R&B star Kelly was acquitted on similar charges in 2008, but much about the case has changed in the intervening years — mostly in favor of the prosecution.
By Andy Grimm
 
R. Kelly walks into the Daley Center for a hearing in a child support case on March 6, 2019 in Chicago.
R. Kelly
R. Kelly trial: Prosecutors rest case after multiple women testify about alleged abuse as minors
Kelly’s trial has featured testimony from four women who allege they were sexually abused by the singer as minors.
By Jon Seidel and Andy Grimm
 
R. Kelly walks with attorneys and supporters into the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in March 2019.
R. Kelly
Two R. Kelly accusers tell their stories on the stand, corroborate Kelly’s abuse of ‘Jane’
The testimony from “Pauline” and “Tracy” comes as federal prosecutors say their case against the imprisoned singer is coming to a close.
By Jon Seidel and Andy Grimm
 
R. Kelly walks with supporters in this June 2019 file photo as he leaves the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago.
R. Kelly
‘I am not proud of that’: R. Kelly ex interrogated by singer’s attorney as trial’s second week comes to a close
The cross-examination of Lisa Van Allen came as prosecutors conclude a narrative about efforts to hunt down alleged videos of Kelly sexually abusing a minor during the early 2000s, when he faced prosecution in state court for child pornography.
By Jon Seidel and Andy Grimm
 
Jim DeRogatis at his Northwest Side home with boxes of his research on R. Kelly, about whom he first reported in 2000, when he was pop music critic for the Sun-Times.
R. Kelly: Tale of the tape; reporter Jim DeRogatis recounts how it began
By Jim DeRogatis
 
Lisa Van Allen, in a promotional image from her appearance in the 2019 Lifetime docuseries “Surviving R. Kelly.” Van Allen is testifying in Kelly’s federal trial on child pornography and obstruction of justice charges.
R. Kelly
‘They were thinking about killing me’: Lisa Van Allen takes stand in R. Kelly trial
Featured prominently in the 2019 Lifetime docuseries “Surviving R. Kelly,” Van Allen is now a key witness in an alleged early-2000s conspiracy to recover tapes of Kelly sexually abusing an underage girl and to rig his earlier 2008 child pornography trial in Cook County.
By Jon Seidel and Andy Grimm
 
R. Kelly walks with attorneys and supporters on March 22, 2019 into the Leighton Criminal Courthouse.
R. Kelly
‘Is this funny?’: Defense attorneys in R. Kelly trial tear into prosecution witness who smiles back
Kelly attorney Jennifer Bonjean tried to tick through all the crimes Charles Freeman could have been charged with had he not secured an immunity deal. The judge cut her off but she quipped, “It would take me too long to go through them all.”
By Jon Seidel and Andy Grimm
 
R. Kelly as he walks into the Daley Center in Chicago for a hearing in a child support case on March 6, 2019
R. Kelly
‘I said a million dollars’: Man testifies he helped R. Kelly hunt down sex tapes — for a price
Dressed in a blue suit and wearing sunglasses as he entered the courtroom, Charles Freeman grinned as he offered the most colorful testimony so far to jurors who have heard descriptions of everything from graphic sex abuse to dry bank records.
By Jon Seidel and Andy Grimm
 
R. Kelly in June 2019 arriving at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago.
R. Kelly
Witness struggles as R. Kelly trial turns to alleged early-2000s cover-up
The witness, using the pseudonym “Susan,” had difficulty with details and sometimes seemed at a loss for answers, particularly when asked why she let her daughter stay in contact with Kelly after rumors of Kelly’s abuse first surfaced.
By Jon Seidel and Andy Grimm
 
R. Kelly talks to a supporter as he walks into the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, Thursday morning, June 6, 2019.
R. Kelly
Jurors see videos at center of R. Kelly child pornography trial
Court officials turned off extra monitors and used black curtains to block the public and the media from seeing the videos — and the jury — while they were played.
By Jon Seidel and Andy Grimm
 
A woman known to jurors as “Jane,” testifies on Aug. 18 during the federal trial of R. Kelly at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in Chicago.
R. Kelly
Woman testifies R. Kelly sexually abused her ‘hundreds’ of times when she was underage
The now-37-year-old woman, referred to as Jane, was the central figure in Kelly’s 2008 state court trial but declined to testify then. That trial ended with Kelly’s acquittal.
By Jon Seidel and Andy Grimm
 
R. Kelly walks out of the Daley Center after a hearing in a child support case in March 2019.
R. Kelly
R. Kelly trial: A singer who sexually abused children? Or a celebrity tarred by liars and extortionists?
Opening statements in Kelly’s trial Wednesday hinted at what is likely to be a hard-fought, Chicago-style legal brawl set to play out on the 25th floor of the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in the Loop.
By Jon Seidel and Andy Grimm
 
R. Kelly walks into the Daley Center in Chicago for a hearing in a child support case in March 2019.
R. Kelly
Jury of 8 women, 4 men selected to decide R. Kelly’s fate in latest Chicago trial
The group includes three Black jurors federal prosecutors sought to keep off the panel. They were restored to the jury after defense attorneys accused the feds of improperly striking them based on race.
By Jon Seidel and Andy Grimm
 
R. Kelly walks out of the Daley Center after a hearing in a child support case in March 2019.
R. Kelly
R. Kelly judge dismisses nearly half of potential jurors on trial’s 1st day, including those who say they can’t be fair
No jurors were seated Monday. But after court, Kelly defense attorney Jennifer Bonjean said the jury pool had already been tainted by mentions of Kelly’s previous conviction in court.
By Jon Seidel and Andy Grimm
 
R. Kelly walks with attorneys and supporters into the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in March 2019.
R. Kelly
R. Kelly’s new Chicago trial to take jurors back to peak of star’s career, early allegations
Kelly’s defense attorney calls the trial starting Monday “total and complete overkill.” But legal experts say it could help vindicate other accusers and ensure the superstar remains in prison.
By Jon Seidel
 
Singer R. Kelly turns to leave after appearing at a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in September 2019.
R. Kelly
What to know about R. Kelly’s new Chicago trial
The former R&B star is set to go to trial in Chicago — again — on Aug. 15. Here’s a rundown of what’s happening and why.
By Jon Seidel | Sun-Times and Alison Martin
 
Beau Brindley as he leaves the Federal Court Building 219 S. Dearborn, after being acquitted on all charges. Monday, August 31, 2015
R. Kelly
R. Kelly trial judge in Chicago once acquitted lawyer now representing Kelly co-defendant
Defense attorney Beau Brindley faced perjury and obstruction of justice charges seven years ago in a bench trial before U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber, who cleared the rising-star lawyer.
By Jon Seidel
 
R. Kelly, joined by supporters, walks out of the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in June 2019.
Timeline of the criminal investigation of R. Kelly
By Jon Seidel | Sun-Times and Alison Martin
 
R. Kelly talks to a supporter as he walks into the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, Thursday morning, June 6, 2019.
R. Kelly
Feds say nothing deceptive about private email used by R. Kelly prosecutor in contact with journalist
But lawyers for one of Kelly’s co-defendants insist the feds’ response is woefully inadequate. “The government does not get to fiat that its officers and agents did nothing wrong,” they said.
By Jon Seidel
 
Courtroom sketch shows R&B singer R. Kelly, center, accompanied by his lawyers Sam Adam Jr. and Sam Adam Sr. right, in court with Judge Vincent Gaughan in the Cook County Criminal Court Building Friday, June 13, 2008, in Chicago.
R. Kelly
Who’s Who in R. Kelly’s Chicago trial?
The R&B singer will face another Chicago jury on Aug. 15, 2022. Here’s who he is and who else will be in the courtroom throughout the trial.
By Jon Seidel and Alison Martin
 
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