R. Kelly Acquitted in Child Porn Case
Updated: Rhythm and blues superstar R. Kelly was acquitted today of all 14 counts in his child pornography trial.
Before the verdict was announced, the 41-year-old singer could be seen praying, and, as “not guilty” after “not guilty” rolled in, Kelly’s lawyer says he heard his client saying “Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus,” reports the Chicago Tribune.
Kelly’s alleged victim, seen on a videotape at trial that prosecutors claimed portrayed Kelly with the girl when she was as young as 13, did not cooperate, nor did her parents.
“Over seven days presenting their case, prosecutors called 22 witnesses, including several childhood friends of the alleged victim and four of her relatives who identified her as the female on the video,” reports the Associated Press. “In just two days, Kelly’s lawyers called 12 witnesses. They included three relatives of the alleged victim who testified they did not recognize her as the female on the tape.”
The jury was only in its second day of deliberations, reaching a verdict after not quite eight hours. But already one juror had sought permission to leave, saying that he had problems at home. The judge denied his request, the Chicago Tribune reports in another article.
Earlier coverage:
Chicago Sun-Times: “Last pitch to R. Kelly jurors”
ABAJournal.com: “Evidence Error in R. Kelly Trial: ‘Exact’ Videotape Copy Wasn’t”
ABAJournal.com: “After 6 Years, R. Kelly Trial Begins”
Updated at 5:30 p.m. to add Associated Press coverage.
