It’s the Remix to Conviction: R. Kelly Sentenced to 20 Years for Chicago Sex Crimes

It’s the remix to conviction—again—for disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly. On Thursday, a federal judge sentenced Kelly to 20 years in prison for his sex crimes to end his Chicago trial.

Per the New York Times, a jury convicted the “Ignition” singer on six of the 13 charges “in connection with sexual abuse during the 1990s, including three counts of coercing minors into sexual activity and three of producing sex tapes involving a minor.” As a result, Kelly will now serve a 20 year sentence—but not in the way you might think.

Read more

• Aside from Halle Bailey, Here Are Other Black Disney Actors and Characters We Love [Update]

• The Best TV Series, Movies of 2022 to Binge Before the Year Ends [UPDATED]

• Megan Thee Stallion Becomes 1st Black Woman to Land Forbes 30 Under 30 Cover

In an interesting move, the judge decided that those 20 years could be served congruently, meaning that sentence can start at the same time as his 30 year sentence—the latter of which he received after being convicted on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking during his New York trial in 2021. So essentially, Kelly will only be in jail for an additional year as it specifically relates to the Chicago trial. Which is...a choice, to say the least.

As previously reported by The Root, federal prosecutors were initially requesting that Kelly get 25 years citing the fact that he’s a danger to society.

“The only way to ensure Kelly does not re-offend is to impose a sentence that will keep him in prison for the rest of his life,” government filing from prosecutors read.

Kelly’s attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, however, asked that her client only receive a 10 year sentence and argued that her client was singled out for behavior that white celebrities and rock stars had gotten away with for years.

Ultimately, with the judge’s ruling on Thursday—it looks like Kelly’s team got the win they were looking for. But I’d be lying if I said it sends the right message to his survivors.

More from The Root

• 15 Priceless Black Twitter Moments Worth Remembering [Updated]

• Madea Goes to Amazon: Tyler Perry Lands 4-Year Film Deal With Amazon Studios

Sign up for The Root's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.