Did R Kelly’s Lawyer Appeal Supreme Court To Overturn His Conviction For 20-Year Prison Sentence? Here’s What Report Reveals

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As a long-time fan of R. Kelly’s music and someone who grew up listening to his hits, it’s heartbreaking to see this turn of events in his life. The man behind “I Believe I Can Fly” and “Step in the Name of Love” is now entangled in a web of legal troubles that seem to overshadow his incredible talent.

R Kelly’s lawyers are asking the United States Supreme Court to reverse his judgments, which were based on charges related to possessing child pornography and inducing underage girls to engage in sexual activities during the mid to late 1990s.

In February 2023, the 57-year-old musician known as R. Kelly was convicted in Chicago for luring minors into sexual activities and creating child pornography. As a result, he received a sentence of 20 years in prison.

R Kelly’s attorney filed an appeal to get his 20-year prison sentence overturned

On Thursday, July 25th, as reported by PEOPLE, Kelly’s lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, asserted in a petition that the actions Kelly is accused of took place many years ago. Additionally, she claimed that the charges from last year are reportedly beyond the scope of the statute of limitations.

In response to that assertion, prosecutors countered by referencing the PROTECT Act of 2003, which they noted stipulates that there’s no time limit for bringing charges in cases of sexual assault against minors.

In her appeal, Bonnejean contends that although Kelly is currently imprisoned for crimes committed in the ’90s, he might be exempt from the statute of limitations thanks to the PROTECT ACT, a law enacted during the early 2000s.

Kelly serving two prison terms concurrently

In June 2022, a court found R. Kelly guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking. He was sentenced to prison for these crimes, as well as for another case in New York which is ongoing. However, out of the total sentence, 19 years will be served consecutively, meaning he may not be released until 2045. The federal court that made this decision emphasized the importance of timing.

Each year, the court receives numerous appeals but only considers a limited number of them. Four justices must agree to consider and review a petition. By August 28, Kelly’s petition needs a response from the Justice Department in writing, after which the court will decide if they will take up his case.

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2024-07-31 14:22