New York: A US judge on Thursday handed disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly a 20-year prison term for child pornography and other charges -- but he will serve most of it simultaneously with a previous sentence.
Kelly, 56, is already serving a 30-year sentence he received after a Brooklyn jury in a separate federal trial convicted him on racketeering and trafficking charges.
The judge in Chicago -- Kelly´s hometown, where he was once seen as a source of pride -- ruled that most of the new sentence would be served concurrently with the previous one, with all but one year taken at the same time.
That Kelly will spend a maximum of 31 years in prison is a win for the defense, which urged in its sentencing memorandum that "a concurrent sentence is what fairness demands," accusing the prosecution of engaging in a "quest to ensure that Kelly never sees the light of day."
His lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, is appealing both of Kelly´s federal convictions.
The artist born Robert Sylvester Kelly was convicted in September 2022 on six of 13 counts alleged in the Chicago trial: three counts of producing child pornography and three of enticement of a minor.
Justin Baldoni's lawyer slams Blake Lively case with shocking revelation
Jennifer Lopez filed for divorce from Ben Affleck in August 2024
Young Thug and Leena Sayed’s jail conversation leaked video sparks frenzy among rapper’s fans
Royal family shares King Charles Christmas Broadcast video
Blake Lively's husband Ryan Reynolds takes meaningful step amid Justin Baldoni lawsuit
Meghan Markle leaves Prince Harry in trouble with surprising demands