CHICAGO (AP) — Jury selection got underway Monday at R. Kelly’s federal trial in his hometown of Chicago, where the R&B singer faces charges that he rigged his 2008 state child pornography trial by threatening & paying off a girl with whom he allegedly filmed himself having sex when he was around 30 & she was no older than 14.
Jurors acquitted Kelly on all charges in that 2008 trial, some explaining later that they felt they had no choice because the girl did not testify. The woman, now in her 30s & referred to in filings only as “Minor 1,” will be the government’s star witness in the federal trial.
Kelly, 55, was already sentenced by a New York federal judge to a 30-year prison term for a 2021 conviction on charges he used his fame to sexually abuse other young fans.
Before at least 2 dozen potential jurors were brought in, the judge said he hoped to select 12 jurors and 6 alternates Monday & Tuesday from a pool of 125. Once a jury is chosen, the panel will hear opening statements from prosecutors 7 the defense before the first witness is called.
Kelly, faces multiple charges at the federal trial. They include 4 counts of enticement of minors for sex — one each for 4 other accusers. They, too, are slated to testify.
Before potential jurors were brought in, his attorney Jennifer Bonjean asked the judge to exclude anyone who watched the documentary “Surviving R. Kelly” that revisited old allegations against Kelly and spotlighted new ones.
The judge denied that motion but said the jurors would be questioned about the program.
Convictions in Chicago could add decades to Kelly’s New York sentence, which he is appealing. With the New York sentence alone, Kelly will be around 80 before qualifying for early release.
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