Posted on August 3, 2022

R. Kelly’s Sisters Say Racism Influenced 30-Year Sentence for Sex Abuse

Ryan Smith, Newsweek, July 27, 2022

R.Kelly’s sisters have said that racism played a role in their brother being sentenced to 30 years in prison, after he was found guilty of sexually abusing women, girls and boys for decades.

Kelly, 55, was on June 29 handed the lengthy prison sentence in New York City, several months after he was convicted in 2021 of sex trafficking and racketeering.

Musician Kelly sexually abused fans in a “systematic scheme that went on for decades,” according to the Associated Press.

However, in interview with U.K. TV show Good Morning Britain, which aired on Wednesday, Kelly’s three sisters spoke out in the convicted sex offender’s defense, insisting that he’s the true victim.

GMB North America correspondent Noel Phillips prefaced the interview by stating that Kelly had been sending letters from his prison cell, saying that his 30-year sentence was because of the color of his skin.

Reiterating this point, Cassandra Kelly said: “African Americans have always been treated unfairly. And so I think that has a lot to do with [R. Kelly’s sentence], as well as other factors.”

When asked whether the sisters truly believe that their brother had not been with underage girls, Lisa Kelly responded: “I can say he may have been with younger women, but as far as underage girls, no {snip} I believe a lot of the alleged victims are bitter.”

{snip}

“How can you sit here and say R. Kelly was the victim?” Phillips asked.

“I just told you,” Lisa Kelly said in response. {snip}

Asked whether R. Kelly has reacted emotionally or expressed regret in the aftermath, Cassandra Kelly replied: “He’ll be like, forgive them.”

{snip}