Closing arguments begin as R Kelly refuses to testify in his own trial

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Closing arguments begin as R Kelly refuses to testify in his own trial

The State began delivering its closing arguments in the R. Kelly sex trafficking trial yesterday after Kelly refused to testify on his own behalf.

In her argument, Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Geddes told jurors that Six weeks of testimony from more than 45 witnesses and other evidence “showed that the R&B singer had for years commanded close associates to help him target, groom and exploit girls, boys, and young women for his own sexual gratification.

She said Kelly got away with sexually abusing his victims by surrounding himself with enablers he managed with an iron fist.

According to Billboard.com, she told jurors the assistants, drivers, bodyguards and others Kelly employed comprised a criminal enterprise that resulted in the federal racketeering charges against him.

Before closings began, Kelly told U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly that he won’t take the witness stand, allowing him to avoid the risk of a potentially brutal cross-examination.

Lawyers had already said Kelly was unlikely to testify in his own behalf.

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