R Kelly has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing women, boys and girls for decades, as victims say it isn't enough.
One victim, who chose to remain anonymous, said the jail sentence is too short but they are "grateful" he has been held accountable and cannot hurt anyone else. In court, the disgraced singer 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, writes the Mirror.
Federal prosecutors had called for him to be locked up for more than 25 years to "protect the public", but his defence had argued that 10 years or less is more suitable as he's "not currently a risk". The 55-year-old appeared in the dock as seven women spoke about the devastation he had caused, with one saying: "You destroyed so many people’s lives."
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During a trial last year, the rapper - whose full name is Robert Kelly - was convicted of federal racketeering and sex trafficking stemming from his efforts over decades to use his fame to ensnare victims he sexually abused. 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.
Speaking outside court following the verdict two women, who remained anonymous while reading their victim impact statements to the court, said they were “proud” of one another. Kelly was handed the sentence after being convicted on charges of racketeering and sex-trafficking in September last year.
The singer was branded “the pied piper of R&B” by a victim using the pseudonym “Angela” who went on to detail his “deplorable and inexplicable” abuse during her statement. She told reporters: “I started this journey 30 years ago, I was 14 years old when I encountered Robert Sylvester Kelly. There wasn’t a day in my life up until this moment that I actually believed that the judicial system would come through for black and brown girls.
“I stand here very proud of my judicial system, very proud of my fellow survivors and very pleased with the outcome. Thirty years (is how long) that he did this and 30 years is what he got.”
Asked how she felt now that the former 90s superstar had been sentenced, she replied “overwhelmed”. Lizzette Martinez, read an impact statement in court under the pseudonym Jane Doe, said she was pleased with the sentence but “personally didn’t think it was enough”. “Today was a very special but hard day for us,” she said. “This happened to me a very long time ago, I was 17 them and I am 45 today. I never thought I’d see him be held accountable, the atrocious things he did to children. I don’t know what else to say, except that I’m grateful.
“I am grateful that Robert Sylvester Kelly is away and will stay away and will not be able to harm anyone else. Asked if 30 years was a long enough sentence, Ms Martinez replied: “I personally don’t think it’s enough but I’m pleased with it.”
In her sentencing remarks, Judge Ann Donnelly told Kelly: “It is fair to say, Mr Kelly, that you are a person that had some great advantage, you had worldwide fame and celebrity, untold money,” she said. “Using your status and celebrity… you had a system of people that you used to lure young fans into your orbit. Having your minions troll for young people at the mall… handing out your phone number… for the opportunity to meet R Kelly.”
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