A woman has testified that R Kelly sexually assaulted her at his Chicago studio nearly two decades ago, where he locked her up without food and water.
The woman, who identified herself as Sonia, was giving evidence at the US singer’s sex abuse trial in Brooklyn Federal Court on Thursday.
Kelly has pleaded not guilty to nine criminal counts for running an alleged decades-long racketeering scheme targeting women and girls, and demanding “absolute commitment” from victims, isolating them from friends and family and requiring they call him “Daddy” with help from people he employed.
R Kelly sex trial
Federal prosecutors charged Kelly, 54, with leading an entourage of managers, bodyguards and others to recruit women and girls for him to have sex with and abuse, and to produce pornography, including child pornography.
Prosecutors and defense lawyers questioned dozens of potential jurors, behind closed doors and in open court.
One prospective juror was excused after saying he was raised Christian and would have “some difficulty” with testimony about sexual activity between people of the same gender.
While most of Kelly’s accusers are women, Donnelly has said an alleged male victim can testify that Kelly sexually abused him.
