Alleged R. Kelly Child Porn Tape Turned Over by Prosecutors
Cook County prosecutors turned over an alleged video that claims to show R. Kelly engaging in sex acts with an underage girl over 20 years ago.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the judge in the case warned R. Kelly's legal team not to leak the tape to the public.
The tape in question was allegedly turned over to prosecutors by celebrity attorney Michael Avenatti, who tweeted about the tape on Wednesday, saying, "R Kelly engaged in sexual assault of a 14 year old girl. There is no question it is him. And both he and the girl acknowledge her age on the tape. R Kelly is a serial sexual predator and he will be convicted."
The judge added he hopes to see one of the cases against R. Kelly go to trial "early next year."
Kelly's attorney reiterated his belief that the tape submitted to the court was the same one used in the singer's 2008 trial. But Avenatti maintains it is a new tape, saying, "Let us all remember that Steve Greenberg, R. Kelly’s lead attorney, previously claimed the tape I turned over to prosecutors earlier this year, which led to the charges pending against him, was the same tape from the prior case. He did this without any knowledge as to its content. This was an absolute lie."
R. Kelly pleaded not guilty earlier this month to 11 new sex abuse-related felonies.
The additional charges against Kelly with four counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, two counts of criminal sexual assault by force, two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, and three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse against a victim between the ages of 13 to 16.
Gerald Griggs, an attorney who represents the family of one of Kelly’s alleged victims, previously told The Blast of the new charges, “This further cements the fact that the victims have been true to their stories and law enforcement is finally listening.”
