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* AP…
R. Kelly, the R&B superstar known for his anthem “I Believe I Can Fly,” was convicted Monday in a sex trafficking trial after decades of avoiding criminal responsibility for numerous allegations of misconduct with young women and children.
A jury of seven men and five women found Kelly, 54, guilty of all nine counts, including racketeering, on their second day of deliberations. Kelly wore a face mask below black-rimmed glasses, remaining motionless with eyes downcast, as the verdict was read in federal court in Brooklyn.
Prosecutors alleged that the entourage of managers and aides who helped Kelly meet girls — and keep them obedient and quiet — amounted to a criminal enterprise. Two people have been charged with Kelly in a separate federal case pending in Chicago.
He faces the possibility of decades in prison for crimes including violating the Mann Act, an anti-sex trafficking law that prohibits taking anyone across state lines “for any immoral purpose.” Sentencing is scheduled for May 4. […]
Several accusers testified in lurid detail during the trial, alleging that Kelly subjected them to perverse and sadistic whims when they were underage.
* US Rep. Danny Davis, who is facing a primary challenge backed by Justice Democrats, was asked by TMZ if R. Kelly would be “welcomed back in Chicago” when his sentence is finished…
Well, let me tell you, as an artist, one who’s gifted, and is gifted, I think he’ll be welcomed back into Chicago as a person who can be redeemed.
You know, I’m a big believer in what is called ’second chances.’ And I actually have a bill that we got passed called The Second Chance Act, which gives individuals the opportunities to to be redeemed and to redeem themselves. So it will really all depend on him.
Davis was then asked what he would tell R. Kelly what he should do during his time in prison…
Try and find peace with his maker and peace with himself and reconcile with the universe for the acts that he may have committed.
The convicted felon faces federal charges in Chicago, as well as charges in Cook County and Minnesota.
*** UPDATE *** From Davis’ Democratic primary opponent Kina Collins…
“Congressman Davis’ statement today was thoughtless, distasteful, and incredibly disappointing for a man charged with representing thousands of Black women and girls in our district.
“I’m shocked that my Congressman would choose today of all days to focus on second chances for a serial abuser rather than uplifting survivors. Second chances for those reentering communities from prison are critical. But by holding R. Kelly — a man who leveraged his wealth and power to evade justice and harm Black girls — as an example of what second chances look like, Davis is undermining the broader fight for justice.
“It took years of activism — led by Black women — to hold R. Kelly accountable. He has caused immeasurable harm to so many women in our district and across Chicago. He hasn’t even been sentenced, let alone begun to serve his time. When so many survivors are just now finally able to begin their healing process, Congressman Davis’ statement shows just how out of touch he is with the community he claims to represent.
“My heart goes out to survivors in IL-07 and across the country today. Our district deserves better than thoughtless leadership.”
* Related…
* R. Kelly: The history of allegations against him
* R. Kelly Is Found Guilty on All Counts, Twenty-five Years Too Late
* R. Kelly’s conviction a victory, especially for Black women, in a battle we can never stop fighting
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:15 am
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With all due respect to Rep. Davis, if Kelly hasn’t “reconciled with the universe” for the acts he has been convicted of beyond the reasonable doubt over the span of decades, I find it very unlikely he’s going to start now.
I have way more sympathy for a teenager from a bad neighborhood in a gang who pulls a trigger with dire consequences than I do for an adult who spent decades preying on children.
Comment by Homebody Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:19 am
One of strangest YouTube ads I ever saw was Danny Davis and a young person talking, talk show style about the risks of under-age drinking.
Because if you want an influencer convincing kids not to drink it is Danny Davis.
Don’t think he has been following the plot for a while now
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:19 am
Hoo Boy! Talk about tone-deaf. I know Pelosi was recently here supporting him, but I think it is time for Danny Davis to retire.
Comment by Terry Salad Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:26 am
“I think he’ll be welcomed back into Chicago as a person who can be redeemed.”
It’s not that I don’t believe in redemption, because I do. It’s that now is not the time to be talking redemption. A day or two after he is found guilty is a time to be talking about punishment for him, and healing for his victims. Talk to me in 5 years about redemption. Let me see justice first, then we can talk about mercy.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:26 am
He’s facing serious federal time, so he’s not getting out for quite a while. Maybe let’s see an attitude change first before we go forgiving the guy.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:29 am
Did Pelosi know about this before she loaned her credibility to him?
Comment by HCMcB4 Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:33 am
Uh, no. Any thoughts for the victims, Danny?
Comment by King Louis XVI Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:34 am
===and reconcile with the universe for the acts that he may have committed.===
May have? Ummmm, he was convicted, Congressman. Time for Danny to go. Bummed I don’t have a vote to help out with that.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:34 am
Hard to believe that people are challenging Davis because they believe he is out of touch.
Comment by Well Hello Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:40 am
Davis needs to retire or be retired.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:43 am
just more of the same like from pastors for years in Chicago. MSNBC has a great piece about how Black churches…Rev. Meeks….supported this criminal for years, how they talked about women with degrading language. far too many in the Black community looked the other way, aided the criminal.
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:47 am
==, I think he’ll be welcomed back into Chicago as a person who can be redeemed.==
If women of any age still roam the Earth when he’s released, I don’t see the Welcome Wagon gearing up for an R Kelly return. That he got away with his terrible behavior for so long was a gift outside of any justice.
He might be well advised to move elsewhere when and if he ever wears anything aside from an orange jumpsuit.
Comment by A Guy Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:53 am
“acts that he may have committed”
They were crimes and Kelly committed them.
– MrJM
Comment by MisterJayEm Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:54 am
On the next episode of “Clueless”: Danny Davis speaks his mind. Comedy; 30 minutes.
Comment by thisjustinagain Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:56 am
I don’t believe that will fly.
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:01 am
“acts that he may have committed”
We don’t have to say “allegedly” or otherwise hedge anymore. It’s innocent until proven guilty and, whelp, he was just proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. His lawyer may want to claim it’s still “alleged” at this point, but none of the rest of us have to. And what he was convicted of was pretty horrendous.
Can’t tell from the excerpt if he gave any thought to the victims. Tone deaf all around.
Comment by Wally Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:01 am
Sometimes best not to speak at all.
Why would you talk with TMZ? You should probably watch the show some time and see what they do. It’s usually not trying to uplift folks.
Comment by Frank talks Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:03 am
===Can’t tell from the excerpt===
You could click the link, watch the video and see that’s all he said.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:03 am
Should’ve made it clear–clicked the link. Read the excerpt. Can’t watch video in current location.
I was referring to the TMZ excerpt.
Comment by Wally Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:05 am
As was commented on yesterday, Danny Davis loves the sound of his own voice - and rightly so. However, maybe he should have listened to it himself before letting others hear his R. Kelly comments. Just another example of someone helping his opponents write their attack ads. We know for sure Mary Mitchell and the Sun Times editorial board won’t be on the welcoming committee.
Comment by West Side the Best Side Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:15 am
“To be redeemed and to redeem themselves.” Huh?
Wandering language.
Sharp as a tack, not.
Comment by Sir Reel Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:18 am
I remembered that there was a Chicago rapper whose actions were notorious, guns, drugs, shootings. so I googled rapper Chicago shooting and up popped oh so many of these guys until I figured out it was Chief Keef I remembered. but the search just hit me as absolutely awful. There is massive support for music industry men of violence in this city, and in the Black community. stop it.
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:18 am
Being redeemed probably doesn’t mean doing any midnight appearances at Dirty South in Springfield. LOL. Sorry.
Comment by Cheswick Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:25 am
Rep. Davis had nothing for Kelly’s victims? After 30 years of accumulated crimes, how does he figure Kelly is deserving of any chance?
Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:26 am
Amalia, the support of which you speak is not just a Chicago thing. It is everywhere.
Comment by Cheswick Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:28 am
Kina Collins’ comments are calm and appropriate.
Comment by Keyrock Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:30 am
I believe he can fly…to prison on chomo (child molester) status…and fade into nothing more than an obscure bad memory.
Comment by Dotnonymous Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:31 am
R. Kelly already had more chances than a cat has lives. He doesn’t deserve any more chances.
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-40635526
Comment by SAP Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:41 am
Two things this sicko can be thankful about. Old Blue wasn’t giving the sentence and that any of the victims weren’t in the family.
Comment by Blue Dog Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:45 am
@Cheswick, that is very disturbing. Maybe Derogatis has more to uncover.
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:58 am
I think he will be “welcomed” back…as a person prosecutors are ready to charge with a list of criminal offenses and victims are ready to sue.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 12:10 pm
Wow Danny Davis, there is tone deaf and then there is this. Really asinine comments by Danny. The guy was convicted so he DID the acts. And the are unforgivable in my book.
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 12:17 pm
Funny how so many on here were saying how Davis earned their vote yesterday, your words will be remembered. Kina Collins for IL07
Comment by The Ranger Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 12:22 pm
This is the clearest indication of why Kina Collins has so much momentum that Danny Davis had to bring Nancy Pelosi to town to try and save him from himself.
Comment by 7th CD Constituent Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 12:30 pm
Mind blowing. Simply mind-blowing. R. Kelly preyed on young girls for decades. From where I sit he should spend the rest of his life rotting in jail before he rots in hell. Welcomed back?
People forget that Danny Davis has always been an odd duck (putting it politely). His relationship with the Moonies is all I’ve ever needed to know. I’d love for him to be replaced but he’s been bulletproof over the years. This disgusting, bizarre and utterly tone-deaf statement is certainly a gift to his opponents, but I’d like to see polling on the perception of R. Kelly in the district. I’d be willing to bet it’s not as bad as one might think. I hope I’m wrong.
Comment by New Day Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 12:37 pm
===His relationship with the Moonies===
Yeah, that was so weird. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2004-06-20-0406200195-story.html
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 12:41 pm
Davis is right. There are a lot of people who would welcome R. Kelly back with open arms. It is wrong, but it is not shocking or surprising.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/23/nyregion/r-kelly-trial-black-audience.html
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 1:35 pm
Welcome Back R. Kelly…the hit sitcom for the morally challenged…would in no way surprise.
Comment by Dotnonymous Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 2:40 pm
=== the acts that he may have committed. ===
SMH
Comment by Thomas Paine Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 3:11 pm
Time for Davis to go. His statement is nothing more than enabling.
Comment by Shytown Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 3:14 pm
Nancy Pelosi was already having a bad week.
Comment by Kenno Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 3:19 pm
I don’t agree with Rep. Davis at all on this, but talk to people on the west side and you’ll find that he’s not alone.
Comment by Chito Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 3:23 pm
Collins’ fundraising e-mail on this hit my box at 3:11.
Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 3:49 pm
ArchPundit, same.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 3:51 pm
so people on the west side agree with Davis on it. well, time to call them out too. Derogatis got crap because he is a white guy, Abdon too. turns out, they had the loudest voices in support of Black women being abused. good on them. it’s not racism. it’s right.
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 3:55 pm
“welcomed back in Chicago” when his sentence is finished…”
That’s going to be a long long time from now.
Who is going to remember him to forgive him?
Comment by Fly like an eagle Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 4:14 pm
I hope I am wrong, but I have very little confidence these statements will hurt Davis. I vote against him in every primary in the hopes of showing there is some competition. He and Bobby Rush should have retired and gone out as elder statesmen years ago to make way for new, progressive voices.
Comment by Montrose Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 4:16 pm
You all must have never watched boondocks (referencing the “welcomed back” portion of Davis’ quote)
But yea, complete unforced error. Someone’s going to have a field day with that. Endorsements to follow.
Comment by Nanis Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 6:19 pm
“I don’t agree with Rep. Davis at all on this, but talk to people on the west side and you’ll find that he’s not alone.”
The idea of redemption is a major Christian tenet so I would guess Davis and people on the west side are Christians.
Comment by 17% Solution Wednesday, Sep 29, 21 @ 7:42 am