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A JURY has found the R&B superstar R Kelly guilty of being the ringleader of a decades-long racketeering and sex trafficking scheme that preyed upon Black women and children.

The disgraced singer was found guilty on all nine counts on Monday after decades of avoiding criminal responsibility for numerous allegations of misconduct, in a major #MeToo victory for Black women and girls.

The panel of seven men and five women had begun deliberating the charges on Friday afternoon after prosecutors and defence attorneys finished their closing arguments at the end of a gruelling six-week trial in Brooklyn, New York.

There had been shocking testimony detailing Kelly’s abuse of women, girls and boys. He remained motionless, eyes downcast as the verdict was read.

“To the victims in this case, your voices were heard and justice was finally served,” the acting US attorney Jacquelyn Kasulis said on Monday, announcing the verdict.

What was Kelly accused of?
Prosecutors said he ran a Chicago-based criminal enterprise that recruited women and children and subjected them to unwanted sex and mental torment.

What will his punishment be?
He faces up to 20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for 4 May. — Guardian.com