R. Kelly, who has already been behind bars with a 30-year sentence, is now charged with 20 more years in prison. Just last year, the 56-year-old rapper received charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, CNN reports. The current federal case reached its sentencing conclusion today (February 23rd), with Kelly serving additional time for child pornography and enticing a minor. The presiding judge on the case was US District Judge Harry D. Leinenweber announced in court that 19 of the years will be served concurrently with his previous sentence, with the other year being added to the 30-year sentence.
Initially convicted last September, Kelly was facing three counts of child pornography, and three counts of enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, the outlet reports. The "Back Up" singer had faced similar charges in 2002 but received the verdict of not guilty. In all, Kelly's most recent sentencing reflects three decades of his torment of underage victims. One of these victims emotionally depicted the aftermath of the repeat sex offender's actions, which attorney Christopher Brown conveyed in court. She wrote, “I have lost my dignity due to Robert Kelly. I have lost my dreams due to Robert Kelly. I have lost my teenage years to Robert Kelly.”
R. Kelly To Serve Sentence Concurrently With Existing 30-Years
Sentencing guidelines for Kelly's case ranged from 11.25 to 14 years for the defense, and 14 to 17 years for the prosecution. The legal team representing the rapper argued, “in the unlikely event that Kelly was to survive his 30-year sentence, there is no reason to believe he would re-offend as a geriatric in his mid-80s. The overwhelming majority of Kelly’s criminal conduct was committed a quarter century ago.” The decision for the concurrent sentencing remained in the court's hands.
With the updates in Kelly's high-profile case circulating today, many Twitter users sharing their opinions over the additional 20-year sentencing. "R kelly is getting 20 years in prison, one enthusiastic user tweeted, "im sooooo happy." Others, however, weren't happy with the concurrent sentence. "As it stands now, R Kelly will serve no more than 31 years in prison. If he survives, he will be let out of prison again around the age 80. What a life, gone way wrong," one user reflected. Be sure to check out more Twitter reactions to R. Kelly down below, and don't forget to keep up with HNHH for the hottest news in hip-hop.
Twitter Reacts:
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