R. Kelly’s federal trial that starts Monday in Chicago is in some ways a do-over of his child pornography trial from 2008 in state court.
14 years ago, jurors acquitted the singer on charges he produced a video of himself having sex with a girl no older than age 14. But a big difference between that trial and the one about to get underway a Chicago federal court is that prosecutors say the female in the video will testify this time.
Among the charges Kelly faces is that he rigged the 20-08 trial by paying off and threatening the girl to ensure she didn’t speak up. The woman is now in her 30s.
Four other accusers are also slated to testify.