R Kelly’s sisters come to the musician’s defense in a new interview
R Kelly’s sisters have come to their brother’s defense after his recent prison sentence.
In June, Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison, following his conviction last year for sex trafficking and racketeering.
The R&B singer (real name Robert Sylvester Kelly) was tried last summer for racketeering, bribery and violation of the Mann Act, which criminalizes transporting any woman or girl across state lines to “immoral” purposes, such as illegal sexual activities. He was found guilty on nine counts.
Now the musician’s sisters Cassandra, Theresa and Lisa Kelly have come out in his defense on Hello Brittany and alleged that race played a part in his conviction.
“African Americans have always been treated unfairly,” Cassandra told the program. “So I think it has a lot to do with that as well as other factors.”
Lisa Kelly went on in the interview to claim that her brother had never been with an underage girl. “I can say he may have been with younger women, but as far as underage girls go, no,” she said. “And I emphasize girls – underage girls, who saw this?”
She continued: “I’m not going to admit something that I don’t have proof of. If there’s a victim, I’ll charge them. But from what I’ve seen in court and from what I’ve researched and from what I’ve read the only victim I’ve seen who was robbed, lied to is Robert Nobody talks about the money that was extorted from Robert No one talks about what was stolen from him…he’s not a freak, he’s not a pedophile, he was just taken advantage of.
In court last month, Kelly faced seven of her accusers who gave victim impact statements.
Gloria Allred, who represented the three women who testified against Kelly, told reporters that “no one can undo the harm that has been done to these victims.”
One of the victims said of Kelly: “With each addition of a new victim, you grew in meanness, arrogance, diminishing any form of humanity or self-awareness, which quickly became the soil of your divine complex.
“You were doing, saying and encouraging despicable things that no one should do. We reclaim our names under the shadows of your afflicted trauma. We are no longer the prey we once were.
Another added: “What you did left a permanent stain on my life that I can never wash away. Now it’s your turn to have your freedom taken away.
