R. Kelly judge shoots down request for $850,000 in attorneys’ fees from singer’s acquitted ex-manager Derrel McDavid’s lawyers argued that prosecutors “told the jury a story that had to be false.” Chicago Sun-Times · Jan 23, 2023
R. Kelly’s ex-business manager wants $850,000 in attorneys’ fees after acquittal Derrel McDavid’s defense team aggressively challenged the feds’ case during the trial, and McDavid spent more than two days on the witness stand. In a motion Monday, his defense attorney also seemed to take some credit for helping Kelly avoid conviction on additional charges. Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 18, 2022
R. Kelly’s federal trial in Chicago results in split verdict; singer faces possibility of longer prison term after conviction on child pornography charges CHICAGO — It took more than two decades for “Jane” to come forward about the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her godfather, R&B superstar R. Kelly. Chicago Tribune · Sep 15, 2022
Former R. Kelly business manager Derrel McDavid acquitted on all counts McDavid testified that he followed lawyers’ advice as he helped coordinate payoffs ahead of Kelly’s 2008 child porn trial — payments federal prosecutors alleged was hush money. Chicago Sun-Times · Sep 15, 2022
R. Kelly convicted on child pornography charges at federal trial in Chicago; acquitted of conspiring to obstruct justice CHICAGO — In a split verdict after a hotly contested trial, a federal jury in Chicago on Wednesday convicted disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly on child pornography charges for videotaping himself sexually abusing his then-14-year-old goddaughter decades ago. Chicago Tribune · Sep 14, 2022
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. Chicago Sun-Times · Sep 14, 2022
Jurors ask first questions as they continue deliberating in R. Kelly federal trial CHICAGO — Jurors returned to the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Wednesday morning to continue deliberations in the trial of R. Kelly, and within the first hour of their discussions they had already sent the judge three specific questions. Chicago Tribune · Sep 14, 2022
Jury in R. Kelly’s federal trial in Chicago ends first day of deliberations with no verdict CHICAGO — Jurors in R. Kelly’s Chicago federal trial were excused Tuesday evening after deliberating fewer than four hours without reaching a verdict, and are expected to return Wednesday morning to continue their discussions. Chicago Tribune · Sep 13, 2022
Jury begins deliberating in R. Kelly’s federal trial in Chicago after more than 8 hours of closing arguments CHICAGO — After more than eight hours of closing arguments over the past two days, jurors in the Chicago federal case against disgraced R&B superstar R. Kelly and two former associates have begun their deliberations. Chicago Tribune · Sep 13, 2022
R. Kelly attorney urges jury to put aside what they may have heard about him, see ‘humanity’ in accused superstar CHICAGO — The attorney for R. Kelly urged the jury in her closing argument Tuesday to put aside any preconceived notions they may have about the R&B superstar and see “the humanity” in him when deliberating charges of child pornography and obstruction of justice. Chicago Tribune · Sep 13, 2022
Defense rests in R. Kelly’s federal trial, setting stage for closing arguments and possible verdict next week CHICAGO — Derrel McDavid spent hours on the witness stand this week explaining that he once believed the mounting sexual abuse allegations against his boss, R&B superstar R. Kelly, were nothing more than lies from extortionists out for a payday. Chicago Tribune · Sep 10, 2022
Defense rests in R. Kelly’s federal trial, setting stage for closing arguments next week CHICAGO — The defense has rested in the federal trial of R&B singer R. Kelly and two former associates, setting the stage for closing arguments and a possible verdict next week. Chicago Tribune · Sep 9, 2022
R. Kelly co-defendant takes stand, says he was suspicious of sexual misconduct claims against singer CHCAGO — R&B superstar R. Kelly had already been the target of several lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct when he told his then-business manager in December 2000 that his 14-year-old goddaughter “was being harassed” by police to admit they were having an inappropriate relationship. Chicago Tribune · Sep 7, 2022
R. Kelly co-defendant testifies he was suspicious of sexual misconduct claims against singer CHCAGO — Derrel McDavid, R. Kelly’s former business manager and current co-defendant, has taken the stand in his own defense Wednesday in the final days of the disgraced singer’s Chicago federal trial. Chicago Tribune · Sep 7, 2022
Chicago Tribune · Sep 7, 2022 R. Kelly co-defendant takes stand as federal trial continues CHCAGO — Derrel McDavid, R. Kelly’s former business manager and current co-defendant, has taken the stand in his own defense Wednesday in the final days of the disgraced singer’s Chicago federal trial.
Chicago Tribune · Sep 5, 2022 There were plenty of surprises in prosecution’s case against R. Kelly. But will any spell acquittal? CHICAGO — High-profile federal conspiracy trials like the one unfolding in Chicago against disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly don’t typically have many made-for-TV bombshells.
Chicago Tribune · Sep 1, 2022 R. Kelly speaks at his federal trial, but only to tell judge he won’t testify CHICAGO — R. Kelly’s voice had been heard a few times in three weeks of testimony at his Chicago federal trial: crooning one of his biggest hits at the 1998 Grammys, rapping on a music video, and allegedly cajoling his then-14-year-old goddaughter to perform sex acts on tape.
Chicago Tribune · Sep 1, 2022 Defense witnesses slated to take the stand in R. Kelly federal trial as singer says he won’t testify CHICAGO — Attorneys for R. Kelly and his co-defendants will have the chance to present witnesses Thursday after federal prosecutors rested their case-in-chief against the disgraced singer earlier this week.
Chicago Tribune · Aug 26, 2022 Kansas City man testifies about returning copy of purported R. Kelly sex tape to singer’s associates for cash CHICAGO — The Kansas City man at the center of an alleged scheme to hide a sex tape showing R. Kelly in a threesome with a 14-year-old girl told a federal jury Friday that he only handed over a partial copy of the tape to Kelly’s associates because he “didn’t…
Chicago Tribune · Aug 26, 2022 ‘Exhausted’ key witness breaks down at R. Kelly‘s federal trial in second day of contentious questioning CHICAGO — The continued cross-examination of a key witness against R. Kelly got off to an extraordinarily contentious and emotional start Friday. Within 15 minutes, the exchange had grown so argumentative and circular that the judge intervened, and within about 20 minutes the witness had broken down in tears.
Chicago Tribune · Aug 25, 2022 Former R. Kelly girlfriend testifies singer’s associate suggested they should have killed her over sex tape CHICAGO — A former girlfriend of R. Kelly’s sobbed in a federal courtroom Thursday as she testified that Kelly’s longtime business manager told her in 2007 they should have killed her instead of paying her to return an incriminating videotape of Kelly having sex with her and a 14-year-old girl.
Chicago Sun-Times · Aug 25, 2022 ‘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.
Chicago Sun-Times · Aug 24, 2022 ‘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.”
Chicago Sun-Times · Aug 22, 2022 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.
Chicago Sun-Times · Aug 18, 2022 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.