The fate of R. Kelly rests in the hands of 12 jurors, who have begun deliberations in the federal sex trafficking trial.
The trial, which has played out in Brooklyn federal court, has been plagued with disturbing revelations about the singer’s demented sexual abuse of teenagers and young women that span two decades. The seven men and five women jury heard testimony from 50 witnesses in the over three-week trial.
Kelly’s defense team claimed that many of the witnesses were lying about being abused by the singer and instead enjoyed the luxuries that came with dating an international superstar. However, prosecutors painted a very different picture, maintaining that Kelly used his fame to violently target and exploit young boys, girls, and women.
Most shocking during the trial was the confirmation that Kelly married Aaliyah when she was 15-years-old, and he was 27 after a pregnancy scare. Speculation of their marriage has swirled for years. However, neither singer would confirm it. The man who officiated the wedding and a former employee of Kelly’s testified that they were present during the hotel wedding ceremony.
On Friday, the jury deliberated for four hours before the case was postponed until Monday. They sent a note before departing for the day indicating that they had not yet reached a decision.
Kelly is still facing child pornography and obstruction charges in Illinois.
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