R. Kelly’s sisters have claimed racism played a part in the disgraced 90s singer’s sentencing to 30 years in prison after he was found guilty of sexually abusing women, boys and girls for decades.
The 55-year-old was convicted by a federal jury in New York in September last year and sentenced in June.
Judge Ann Donnelly said he had used his “minions” to “lure young fans into your orbit”, and there were parts of his victims' testimony she would "never forget".
He was branded a "predator" who used his fame and fortune to "prey on the young, the vulnerable, and the voiceless for his own sexual gratification" following his conviction.
Kelly, whose real name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, was convicted on multiple counts of racketeering, with the charges relating to bribery and forced labour. He was also found in violation of an anti-sex trafficking law known as the Mann Act.
The Ignition hitmaker, who denied all charges, was found guilty on all nine counts against him following a six-week trial in Brooklyn, New York.
The disgraced singer’s sisters have now claimed he was treated “unfairly”, during a sit-down interview with Good Morning Britain reporter Noel Phillips in New York.
Noel claimed that one of R. Kelly’s accusers had told him it is “laughable” to see him be portrayed as a “victim” by his sisters.
He said to the three women: “We can reveal this morning that the convicted sex offender has been writing letters from inside his prison cell claiming that he was given a 30 year sentence, because of the colour of his skin.”
“Having sat through most of his trial in New York, that certainly was not the case. The evidence against him was seriously damning.
“A prosecutor who was involved in that case has told me that, ‘It’s never been about race and that the US justice system has done it’s job in locking up a sexual predator.”
Cassandra Kelly replied: “African Americans have always been treated unfairly and so I think that has a lot to do with it [his sentence] as well as other factors.”
When asked whether they could say R. Kelly has never been involved with underage girls, Lisa Kelly answered: “I can say he may have been with younger women, but as far as under aged girls, no and I stress girls – underage girls. Who has seen that?”
Lisa then refused to acknowledge the victims of her brother’s abuse, saying: “I’m not going to acknowledge something that I don’t have the proof of. I believe that a lot of the alleged victims are bitter.”
Lisa continued: “He is not a monster. He is not a paedophile. The only victim I’ve seen who has been stolen from, lied on is Robert.”
Noel said: “How can you sit here and say R Kelly is a victim? A lot of people will be confused.”
Lisa replied: “I just told you. I don’t care about people. I can only go by what I have seen, what I know, what I have experienced.”
The court last month heard victim impact statements from seven women, presented anonymously to the court as Jane Does, who detailed Kelly’s “God-like complex” and how he used his “fame and power” to entice his victims.
A woman using the pseudonym Angela told him: “The pied piper of R&B, both in music and in technique and in approach.
“Success and love… you presented these glittering gems as if they were gold.
“With every addition of a new victim you grew in wickedness, cockiness, diminishing any form of humanity or self-awareness, which soon became the breeding ground for your God-like complex.
“You were doing, saying and encouraging despicable things that no one should be doing."
“We reclaim our names from beneath the shadows of your afflicted trauma.”
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV.
