The Latest Breaking News from R Kelly

R. Kelly: Tale of the tape; reporter Jim DeRogatis recounts how it began

Three teams of criminal defense lawyers have tried to cast doubt on the origins of the central video, questioning who gave it to me before the Chicago Sun-Times turned it over to the police. Here’s the story behind the tape.

Chicago Sun-Times · Aug 26, 2022

‘Exhausted’ key witness breaks down at R. Kelly‘s federal trial

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 26, 2022

‘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.

Chicago Sun-Times · Aug 26, 2022

Defense: Key government witness tried to extort R. Kelly

Defense lawyers at R. Kelly’s child pornography trial in Chicago have sought to portray a key government witness as a liar and extortionist

The Independent UK · Aug 24, 2022

A damning review of Cook County juvenile jail, Biden’s student debt cancellation plan and more in your Chicago news roundup

Today’s update is a 5-minute read that will brief you on the day’s biggest stories.

Chicago Sun-Times · Aug 24, 2022

Withering cross-examination begins for alleged R. Kelly fixer paid to recover sex tapes

CHICAGO — On Tuesday, Charles Freeman told a wild tale to jurors about how R. Kelly and his associates allegedly agreed to pay him up to a million dollars in the early 2000s to hunt down videotapes of the R&B singer sexually assaulting a young teen girl.

Chicago Tribune · 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 24, 2022

Witness: Desperate R. Kelly offered $1M for return of video

Prosecutors at R. Kelly’s federal trial in Chicago have introduced evidence illustrating the singer’s desperation in the early 2000s to recover an alleged child pornography video featuring himself that had gone missing

The Independent UK · Aug 23, 2022

Jurors hear key testimony from reputed fixer in alleged R. Kelly conspiracy to derail early criminal probe

CHICAGO — A key prosecution witness against R. Kelly has taken the stand in the disgraced R&B superstar’s federal trial and is expected to testify that he helped recover incriminating videotapes while Kelly was being investigated for sexual abuse.

Chicago Tribune · Aug 23, 2022

Jurors hear more testimony on alleged R. Kelly conspiracy

CHICAGO — The second week of R. Kelly’s Chicago federal trial continued Tuesday with cross-examination of Lawrence Berkland, a lie-detector test administrator, as prosecutors outlined an alleged conspiracy to cover up Kelly’s alleged sexual misconduct before his Cook County criminal trial.

Chicago Tribune · Aug 23, 2022