As R. Kelly’s federal sex trafficking trial wraps up in Brooklyn, the disgraced singer told the court on Wednesday that he will not testify in his own defense.
Kelly told the judge after the defense finished questioning their final witness. A former consultant for the singer testified he never saw R. Kelly abuse anyone.
Throughout the case, the prosecution called more than 40 witnesses to the stand. Eleven of Kelly’s accusers testified against him. In comparison, the defense only called five witnesses over the last three days of testimony.
Closing arguments also took place Wednesday, and now the case will go to jury deliberations.
“For many years, what happened in [R. Kelly’s] world stayed in the defendant’s world,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Geddes to the jurors. “But no longer.”
Kelly had pleaded guilty to the nine counts against him, including violating the Mann Act and racketeering. Prosecutors have accused the singer of abusing more than 20 young girls, women, and men.
