child pornography

R Kelly Uses Statute Of Limitations Argument Against Supreme Court For Sex Charges

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In February of 2023, highly maligned R&B singer R Kelly was handed down a 20-year prison sentence for possessing child pornography and inducing minors. That was tacked onto his 30-year bout on racketeering and sex trafficking charges in a New York federal court in 2022. None of this is obviously breaking news, but this short amount of background information is important. The reason being is because there is a new update in regard to the former of the two.

According to TMZ, the artist and his attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, are looking to whittle down his overall time behind bars by using the statute of limitations argument. Since these crimes took place in the 1990s, they feel that the PROTECT Act (2003) does not apply here. Bonjean pointed a specific detail of this law which is that there is no clause that says you can essentially charge someone for an alleged conduct that before the year the act was passed. However, it isn’t necessarily black and white for this reason.

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R Kelly & His Attorney Feel The PROTECT Act Shouldn’t Be Applied

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 26: R&B singer R. Kelly covers his mouth as he speaks to members of his entourage as he arrives at the Leighton Criminal Courts Building for a hearing on June 26, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Kelly is facing several counts of aggravated sexual abuse. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

If you remember, R Kelly was convicted for these crimes in 2020. Because of this, prosecutors believe the PROTECT Act is in fact fair play. Also helping their side is the fact that this law extends the statute of limitations indefinitely for alleged crimes committed post 2003. The Supreme Court will come to a conclusion in the next few months whether to hear Kelly’s appeal or not.

What are your thoughts on R Kelly and his attorney making the statute of limitations argument? Do you think they have a point in regard to the PROTECT Act not applying here? Or does the court have more of a solid argument? We would like to hear what you have to say, so leave your thoughts in the comments. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding R Kelly. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.

Read More: Eminem Fans Uncover “Genius” Easter Egg In “The Death Of Slim Shady” Dating Back To 2005

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YNW Melly Trial: Prosecutors Claim Rapper Has Child Porngraphy On His Cell Phone

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YNW Melly was back in court on September 15. While he was primarily facing a bond hearing, a claim from the prosecution has grabbed the majority of headlines. While debating a motion regarding Melly’s cell phone, the protection petitioned Judge Murphy III to prevent the defense from taking custody of the phone. This, according to the prosecution, was due to the presence of child pornography on the phone. The images in question are allegedly images of Melly’s girlfriend at the age of 17, with Melly being 18 at the time the pictures were taken. Melly, at the time of writing, is 24 years old. Under state and federal law, any nude or sexual images of a minor, regardless of age or relation to the possessor, are considered child pornography.

However, Melly’s lawyers argued that it was disingenuous for the prosecution to retain possession of the phone because “There are thousands of pieces of data on the phone, not all of it is child pornography.” With only scant footage of the hearing released, it’s unknown how deeply the issue was discussed. Furthermore, Melly’s lawyers were adamant that it not be referred to as “child porn” on camera due to it being Melly’s girlfriend. The full statement from Melly’s legal team was reported by Bryson “Boom” Paul. Despite this, Melly’s legal team did not deny that she was underage at the time the photos were taken. Eventually, Judge Murphy III eventually chose to defer the bond decision till a later time. Additionally, jury selection from Melly’s re-trial has been scheduled to begin on October 9.

Read More: Motion filed against lead detective in YNW Melly case

YNW Melly Re-Trial Set To Be Messy

With the introduction of a child pornography narrative, it’s clear that the prosecution is holding nothing back during this re-trial. The State of Florida is eager to find Melly guilty after failing to overcome the doubts of the jury in his first trial. The notion that the prosecution will be more vicious this time around was also seen in several other pre-trial notions. Last month, the prosecution successfully petitioned John Murphy III to lower the threshold to give Melly the death sentence. If found guilty, the jury can vote for the death penalty with an 8-4 vote.

Meanwhile, the hearing also featured testimony from Leondra Phillips, the mother of YNW Juvy, one of Melly’s alleged victims. Phillips, in no uncertain terms, spoke out against Melly receiving bond prior to his trial. “I don’t think he should receive a bond. I do know that he is innocent until proven guilty; however, these are some serious accusations against him. He has money… I don’t want anything to happen to me or my family. I don’t think he should receive a bond at all,” she told the court via Zoom. HotNewHipHop will have all the latest updates leading up to and during Melly’s re-trial next month.

Read More: YNW Melly juror claims rapper was framed

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R. Kelly Denied New Trial, Will Be Sentenced Next Week

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His attorneys have hoped that his 2022 conviction of child pornography charges would be overturned, but R. Kelly will remain behind bars. The disgraced singer has faced several sexual abuse charges after shocking allegations continued to surface. Following last year’s outcome, Kelly’s lawyers argued there wasn’t “enough evidence to sustain a guilty verdict on all six counts Kelly was convicted of.”

However, a judge disagreed, and the conviction stands. This means Kelly will face sentencing next week, on February 23. Defense attorneys claimed that an alleged victim known as “Jane” perjured herself on the stand. They said she lied about not wanting restitution following the singer’s conviction. To them, it meant she was motivated by means “that were not entirely honest.”

R. Kelly leaves the Leighton Criminal Court Building after a hearing on sexual abuse charges on May 7, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. – Kelly is charged with 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse. (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP) (Photo credit should read KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Read More: R. Kelly’s Lawyers Claim He’s Unfairly Targeted, Cite Elvis Presley Dating 14-Year-Old Wife

For decades, the hitmaker has been at the center of allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct. He was previously acquitted of charges related to child pornography back in the 1990s. However, rumors and gossip continued until the explosive arrival of Surviving R. Kelly. Last September, Kelly was found guilty of the child pornography charges in addition to three counts of enticing a minor. Defense attorneys told the judge that evidence didn’t prove that Kelly “enticed” anyone.

“Jane testified about how Kelly gradually persuaded her into sexual activity with him,” the judge reportedly wrote in court documents. “Jane described how Kelly induced her into making Videos One through Three and that Kelly positioned the camera and told Jane exactly what to do and say while having sex with him.”

Read More: R. Kelly Cases: Chicago Prosecutor Drops Sex Abuse Charges In State Case

The singer has also already been convicted in New York. In that case, he was convicted of racketeering and sex trafficking and was sentenced to 30 years. Next week, he faces upwards of 90 years in prison.

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