Chicago Court Denies R. Kelly Sentencing Appeal
R. Kelly’s Hope for Lighter Sentence Squashed
The quest of R. Kelly, known R&B musician, for a mitigation of his sentencing has hit a roadblock. Kelly’s appeal for his 20-year sentence was recently dismissed in a Chicago court, putting an end to his aspirations of receiving a less harsh punishment.
The Legal Battle
AP News reveals that the embroiled artist’s legal struggles failed to yield positive results. Earlier in February, Kelly’s legal counsel appealed his sentence arguing that his violations, which included federal child pornography and child enticement charges, were raised beyond the statute of limitations. The team also held that the charges involving one accuser could have been divided due to alleged video evidence. However, last week, a committee of three judges overruled these appeals, backing the fairness of the sentencing passed on Kelly.
The Verdict
The court document detailed, “An impartial jury declared Kelly guilty, exonerated him on some charges even after reviewing the distressing tapes. No statute of limitations shall aid him, and the resultant sentence was methodically apt and – importantly considering these shocking circumstances- substantively just.” Last year, in September, Kelly, the artist behind “I Believe I Can Fly,” was convicted on six charges of child pornography and child enticement.
When Forbes Magazine reached out, his attorney evidenced dissatisfaction with the decision but suggested that the battle was far from over, even hinting at taking the fight to the federal court level.
Current Situation
At present, R. Kelly is carrying out his sentence in a medium security prison located in Butner, North Carolina, with a possible release date set for December 21, 2045.
DPH Hot Take
The decision of the Chicago court stands as a strong signal against any form of child abuse, asserting that even renowned figures will be held accountable for their actions. This should serve as a lesson for all, especially in the music industry, reinforcing the importance of legal and ethical conduct at every level. Moreover, it’s crucial to remember, the fight for justice, as exemplified by R. Kelly’s pending appeals, is ongoing and ever-evolving.