New York, United States of America (USA)- Jennifer Bonjean, R. Kelly’s attorney has said that the R&B artist will be appealing the 30-year-sentencing handed down by US District Judge Ann Donnelly yesterday afternoon.
Prior to yesterday’s sentencing, Kelly was found guilty of racketeering and sex crimes including kidnapping, sexual misconduct, bribery, and sexual exploitation of a child.
“We were prepared for it. We are now prepared to fight this appeal. Kelly is fine. We are excited about this appeal that we are bringing, obviously, it was a hard day he’s been sentenced to a serious sentence but we are confident in the arguments that we raised.
30 years in prison is like a life sentence for him but at the same time, we knew the government was asking for 25 years, and we were prepared for what the judge might impose. He has regrets and is sad. He disagrees with the characterizations that have been made about him, he is not a predator,” said Bonjean.
In addition, Bonjean said Kelly did not breach the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, which provides for extended criminal penalties and a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization.
“Our position is this was not a RICO or racketeering act violation. These were isolated events that happened many years ago and the government simply tried to plead around the statute of limitations to bring it in a RICO charge, which was inappropriate. All I can tell you is there was no enterprise. It was one man with allegations by a number of women, which doesn’t make it an enterprise and that is why he is not guilty of racketeering,” said Bonjean.
Kelly’s sentencing comes years after sexual misconduct allegations were first made. He was charged with 21 counts of making child sexual abuse videos involving various sexual acts in June 2002 but was acquitted on all counts following a trial in 2008.
