R. Kelly’s Federal Sexual Exploitation Trial Set To Start August 9th

R. Kelly’s federal trial for racketeering, sexual exploitation of a child, bribery, kidnapping, forced labor, and enticement will start in a Brooklyn courtroom on Aug. 9th.

According to Billboard, U.S. Judge Ann M. Donnelly set the trial date. Both the prosecution and Kelly’s attorneys agreed that they were ready to proceed on that date. Questionnaires will begin to be sent out to potential jurors on July 26.

One of Kelly’s lawyers, Michael Leonard, told Billboard that the embattled singer is looking forward to the upcoming trial. “He’s excited about the possibility of his case to be heard in a fulsome way where witness testimony can be tested and put in the proper context,” Leonard said.

Leonard revealed that Kelly had had difficulty in custody due to the extreme restrictions due to COVID-19.

The charges Kelly faces in NY Federal Court stem from allegations that for over two decades, he was the leader of a racketeering enterprise made up of managers, bodyguards, drivers, personal assistants, and runners who recruited women and girls to engage in illegal sexual activity with him.

According to the DOJ’s court filing, the sexual encounters were often filmed and photographed by Kelly, and the charges against him involve six different victims.