Chicago, IL

R. Kelly should get at least 25 years in prison, New York prosecutors say

Published

2 years ago

June 9, 2022

R. Kelly should get at least 25 years in prison, New York prosecutors say

NEW YORK — R. Kelly, the R&B famous person identified for his anthem “I Consider I Can Fly,” deserves at the least 25 years behind bars for sexually abusing girls and ladies, prosecutors mentioned in a memo filed Wednesday prematurely of his sentencing later this month.

A New York Metropolis jury discovered Kelly responsible of racketeering and a number of different counts final 12 months at a sex-trafficking trial that was seen as a signature second within the #MeToo motion. Prosecutors alleged that the entourage of managers and aides who helped Kelly meet ladies – and hold them obedient – amounted to a felony enterprise.

R Kelly information: Verdict in racketeering case provides Black girls long-overdue justice
A number of accusers testified in lurid element throughout the trial, alleging that Kelly subjected his victims to perverse and sadistic whims once they had been underage.

Kelly used his “fame, cash and recognition” to systematically “prey upon youngsters and younger girls for his personal sexual gratification,” prosecutors wrote within the submitting.

“He continued his crimes and prevented punishment for them for nearly 30 years and should now be held to account,” prosecutors wrote.

Kelly’s legal professionals have argued that he deserves solely a most of about 17 years in jail below federal sentencing tips.

SEE MORE: R. Kelly verdict: Chicago singer responsible on all counts in NYC intercourse trafficking trial

Amongst a number of sordid allegations, jurors heard testimony a few fraudulent marriage scheme hatched to guard Kelly after he feared he had impregnated R&B phenom Aaliyah in 1994 when she was simply 15. Witnesses mentioned they had been married in matching jogging fits utilizing a license falsely itemizing her age as 18; he was 27 on the time.
Aaliyah labored with Kelly, who wrote and produced her 1994 debut album, “Age Ain’t Nothing However A Quantity.” She died in a airplane crash in 2001 at age 22.

The competing protection memo prompt prosecutors arguments for a better sentence overreached by falsely claiming Kelly participated within the bribery of “a public help officer to supply an identification card” that allowed the sham marriage to go ahead.
Kelly’s legal professionals additionally mentioned it was improper to say he ought to get extra time as a result of he sexually abused one in every of his victims – referred to in courtroom as “Jane” – after her dad and mom innocently entrusted him to assist her together with her musical profession.

“The file reveals that Jane’s dad and mom directed Jane to misinform the defendant about her age after which inspired her to seduce him,” the papers say.

Kelly, 55, is ready to be sentenced on June 29.

Earlier protection:
R Kelly ‘Chocolate Manufacturing unit’: Witnesses describe life inside suburban Chicago mansion
R. Kelly sexually abused underage Chicago boys, new courtroom paperwork declare
Newest on R Kelly: Jury choice begins Monday for New York racketeering trial
R Kelly allegations: Singer tries once more to safe launch from jail
R. Kelly’s request to be launched from jail as a result of coronavirus pandemic denied by decide
R Kelly information: R&B singer strikes from Chicago jail to Brooklyn detention middle forward of trial
R. Kelly’s legal professionals request to withdraw from NY racketeering trial; others say they had been fired

R Kelly New York racketeering trial pushed once more over COVID-19 issues
R. Kelly’s girlfriend charged after Trump Tower battle on singer’s birthday
Federal data reveal broad scope of R. Kelly racketeering investigation
R. Kelly hit with new bribery expenses in NYC, prosecutors say
Choose denies bid to lift R. Kelly’s bond in state case
R. Kelly trial date set on federal intercourse crimes expenses filed in Chicago
R. Kelly going through new underage prostitution expenses in Minnesota, prosecutors say
R. Kelly disaster supervisor stepping down
R. Kelly held with out bond following Tuesday’s arraignment on federal intercourse crime expenses

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Chicago, IL

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Crew by way of

Wednesday, November 23, 2022 3:26AM

FILE photograph: View of the Chicago Hearth Division, the third largest municipal hearth division in america of America, within the Chinatown neighborhood on Sept. 24, 2014.
Shutterstock

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago hearth officers mentioned two ladies have been discovered lifeless in an Englewood house after a home hearth.

The fireplace broke out Tuesday night at a home within the 7200-block of South Wolcott, Chicago hearth officers mentioned.

The fireplace was struck out at about 9:10 p.m., CFD mentioned.

After the fireplace was out, firefighters discovered two grownup feminine victims lifeless within the wreckage.

It was not instantly clear if the ladies died within the hearth or earlier than the fireplace. No additional particulars have been launched.

The Chicago Hearth Division has not but commented on any potential causes for the fireplace or mentioned in the event that they consider it was suspicious.

Chicago, IL

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

HIGHLAND PARK, Ailing. (WLS) — Three ladies and their households had been good strangers up till the second tragedy introduced them collectively within the aftermath of Highland Park’s July 4th parade.

As Thanksgiving approaches, they’re united in goal and in gratitude for probably the most primary of all issues: life.

“I believed I used to be going to die,” Highland Park capturing survivor Liz Turnipseed mentioned. “That I used to be going to put there and I used to be going to bleed out and I used to be going to die.”

WATCH | Highland Park capturing survivor tells her story

“I used to be on the parade with my three grownup kids, my son-in-law and my 2-year-old grand child,” mentioned Debra Baum, with the Highland Park Gun Violence Mission. “Our complete household may have been worn out.”

“July third I had 70 folks at my home and the following day our life bought flipped the other way up,” capturing survivor Lindsay Hartman mentioned. “So I simply know for me, I am attempting to take pleasure in it and never spend an excessive amount of time previously.”

SEE ALSO | Highland Park parade capturing short-term memorial opens subsequent to metropolis corridor

For Lindsay, not spending an excessive amount of time previously means internet hosting Thanksgiving for 30. Liz, who was one of many almost 50 folks injured that day, nonetheless wants a cane to get round, so she’ll be catering the meal and having her complete household fly in. Debra shall be coming along with the identical household she was with on July 4.

“There are numerous households in Highland Park that do not have folks with them this Thanksgiving due to what occurred,” Baum mentioned. “It is a very weighty realization.”

However there’s additionally gratitude for random issues and other people, like for the proper strangers who took in Liz’s 3-year-old daughter for a few hours after she was shot. And the neighbor she’d by no means met earlier than who lent her a step stool for her mattress.

Turning ache into goal is what unites these ladies now as they foyer for an assault weapons ban in Congress. As a result of whereas life for them won’t ever be the identical, it does transfer on.

Chicago, IL

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Tuesday, November 22, 2022 8:52PM

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Biden administration is but once more extending the pause on federal scholar mortgage funds, a profit that started in March 2020 to assist individuals who have been struggling financially because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a supply conversant in the plan mentioned.

The Division of Training will announce it’s extending the freeze one other six months with the primary funds due two months after June 30, the supply mentioned, until a Supreme Courtroom resolution on the president’s scholar mortgage aid program comes first.

The administration had beforehand mentioned the latest extension could be the final, and funds have been scheduled to restart in January.

However the administration had additionally meant for its scholar mortgage forgiveness program to start canceling as much as $20,000 in debt for low- and middle-income debtors earlier than January. This system has but to be carried out because it faces a number of authorized challenges.

This story is breaking and can be up to date.