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   NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Former Grammy Award-winning singer R.   
   Kelly was found guilty Monday of a range of sex crimes following   
   weeks of graphic testimony and years of allegations.   
      
   The jury convicted the R&B superstar of all eight counts of sex   
   trafficking and one count of racketeering. Kelly now faces the   
   possibility of life in prison.   
      
   Prosecutors labeled 54-year-old Robert Sylvester Kelly a   
   predator.   
      
   “Today’s guilty verdict forever brands R. Kelly as a predator   
   who used his fame and fortune to prey on the young, the   
   vulnerable, and the voiceless for his own sexual gratification,”   
   said Acting U.S. Attorney Jacquelyn M. Kasulis. “To the victims   
   in this case: Your voices were heard and justice was finally   
   served.”   
      
   The jury deliberated for a total of about nine hours before   
   sending a note Monday afternoon that read “We the jury have   
   finally reached a verdict.”   
      
      
   CBS2’s Alice Gainer reported Kelly had no reaction as the   
   verdict was read. He wore a facemask and glasses but did not   
   appear to move.   
      
   Kelly never took the stand but has denied wrongdoing. His   
   defense plans to appeal.   
      
   “He was not anticipating this verdict because, based on the   
   evidence, why should he anticipate this verdict?” defense   
   attorney Deveraux Cannick said. “They totally ignored the   
   inconsistencies that all of these witnesses gave.”   
      
   “I don’t know if I’m more disappointed in the jury’s verdict or   
   the government’s actions in this case. I am sure that we are   
   going to appeal,” Cannick added.   
      
   Over a 6-week trial, the jury of seven men and five women heard   
   from 50 witnesses including 11 accusers, six of whom testified   
   they were underage when they began having sexual encounters with   
   Kelly.   
      
   Watch Alice Gainer’s Report   
      
   The prosecution argued Kelly ran an enterprise of assistants,   
   bodyguards and others, all used to recruit, groom and exploit   
   underage girls, boys and young women for his own sexual   
   gratification.   
      
   Among the claims detailed at trial – his marriage to the late   
   R&B singer Aaliyah, and how a government worker was bribed to   
   get her a fake ID so Kelly could marry the then-15-year-old   
   because he feared he had gotten her pregnant.   
      
   Witnesses testified about being locked in rooms and having to   
   ask permission to leave, or use the bathroom. Others alleged   
   Kelly gave them herpes without disclosing he had an STD.   
      
   “He did everything to control them, including when they could go   
   to the bathroom, when they could have food,” said attorney   
   Gloria Allred, who represents three of the women who accused   
   Kelly.   
      
   “I’m feeling extremely happy, relieved. I’m so proud of the   
   women who were able to speak their truth,” said Lizette   
   Martinez, known as Jane Doe #9, in reaction to the verdict.   
      
   READ MORE:   
   Cook County Clerk Testifies About Kelly’s Marriage To Late   
   Singer Aaliyah When She Was 15 Years Old   
   A handful of witnesses for the defense included former employees   
   and associates who said they never saw Kelly abuse anyone. His   
   lawyers argued the accusers are groupies and stalkers who sought   
   to take advantage of his fame, and lied on the witness stand.   
      
   During closing argument, one of Kelly’s lawyers compared him to   
   civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.   
      
   “He used the power of his celebrity to recruit vulnerable,   
   underage girls for the purpose of sexually abusing them. These   
   were not May-October relationships, which is what his defense   
   attorney wanted the jury to believe. These were crimes against   
   children, and some adults,” said Allred.   
      
   Watch: Attorney Stuart Slotnick Breaks Down The R. Kelly Verdict   
      
   Kelly’s racketeering charge listed 14 underlying acts including   
   kidnapping, forced labor, sex trafficking and bribery. The   
   government had to prove at least two of the 14.   
      
   He was also charged with eight counts of violating the Mann Act,   
   which makes it illegal to transport anyone across state lines   
   for any immoral purpose.   
      
   The 3-time Grammy winner, seemed untouchable for decades,   
   topping the charts as allegations of sexual abuse mounted. But   
   the 2019 documentary “Surviving R. Kelly” shed new light on the   
   claims. He was arrested weeks after its release.   
      
   Amid his undoing, Kelly forcefully defended himself to CBS’s   
   Gayle King in an exclusive interview.   
      
   “This is not me. I’m fighting for my f****** life!” Kelly said.   
      
   “Mr. Kelly and his associates made one critical error. They   
   underestimated the resilience and courage of the victims who   
   refused to be silenced,” said Peter Fitzhugh, special agent in   
   charge of Homeland Security investigations.   
      
   An executive producer for the documentary tweeted in part, “The   
      
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