A judge ordered R. Kellys bail at $1 million as the singer faced a courtroom for the first time Saturday after he was charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
Judge John Lyke Jr., who oversaw the bail hearing for Empire actor Jussie Smollett earlier in the week, set the $1 million bail, or $250,000 for each of the four women involved in the charges against Kelly. The singer needs to put up $100,000 to bond out prior to his trial.
Kellys lawyer Steven Greenberg argued for a lower bail, stating that his client was having financial difficulties, CNN reported. Kelly was also ordered to give up his passport; Contrary to the song, he doesnt like to fly, Greenberg said, making an I Believe I Can Fly joke. Kelly and his associates were also told to have no contact with the alleged victims, while Kelly must only have relations with women 18 years and older.
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Hes going to be vindicated on all of these charges, Greenberg said. One by one, if it has to be.
In the indictment against Kelly obtained byRolling Stone, the singer has been accused of sexual penetration of multiple women at least 13 years of age but under 17 years of age. The age of consent in Illinois is 17 years old.
At a press conference Friday, Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx detailed the charges against Kelly: Four charges stem from Kellys alleged incidents with an underage girl initialed H.W. between May 1998 and May 1999. Two counts were drawn from R.L., who, while underage, had sexual encounters with Kelly between September 1998 to September 2001. The most recent counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, from May 2009 to January 2010, are J.P., who was also underage.
L.C. is the fourth victim and the one count of sexual abuse stems from a February 18th, 2003 incident, with Kelly accused of transmission of semen on any part of the victims body for sexual gratification.
Foxx further elaborated on the details of the case against Kelly in a press conference that followed the bail hearing Saturday.
Here are the factual allegations against #RKelly read in court: pic.twitter.com/6Wge8DjYhM
Jason Meisner (@jmetr22b) February 23, 2019
In the case of L.C., The victim was 24 years old and worked as a hairdresser for Robert Kelly, Foxx said. While the victim was waiting alone in a room waiting for Robert Kelly so she could braid his hair, Robert Kelly entered saying he didnt want his hair braided that day. He wanted his head massaged. At the time he said this, he had his pants pulled down and he was pointing to his penis. Robert Kelly grabbed the victim by the head and tried to force her mouth onto his exposed penis, but the victim was able to resist. Robert Kelly then masturbated and ejaculated onto the victim and spit in her face several times. The shirt the victim was wearing was submitted to the Illinois state police for DNA testing, and the semen was identified on the shirt.
Foxx also discussed the sex tape allegedly showing Kelly having a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl initialed R.L. In the video, the victim repeatedly, repeatedly says she is 14 years old and Robert Kelly is seen penetrating the victim orally and vaginally, Foxx said.
Another victim, H.W., was celebrating her 16th birthday when she first encountered Kelly at restaurant; the two allegedly had a year-long sexual relationship from May 1998 to May 1999. Another 16-year-old victim, J.P., provided authorities with a shirt that had semen on it, with the woman claiming it was Kellys. The victim also alleged that Kelly would often slap, choke and spit on her.