R. Kelly Wants Accusations That He Molested A 17-Year-Old Boy Tossed Out Of Trial, Fears Jury Might Be Homophobic

R. Kelly

R. Kelly Wants Accusations That He Molested A 17-Year-Old Boy Tossed Out Of Trial, Fears Jury Might Be Homophobic

R. Kelly is hoping new allegations against him aren’t allowed in his upcoming trial.

He is being federally charged with child sexual exploitation, kidnapping, bribery, forced labor, and racketeering.

As previously reported, prosecutors in the case issued new evidence that alleged he molested a 17-year-old boy in the mid-2000s. The disgraced singer is said to have mentored the teenager after meeting him at McDonald’s. There are also reports that through this alleged relationship, R. Kelly met a second 17-year-old boy but didn’t have a sexual encounter with him until years later.

Either way, R. Kelly’s lawyers want the latest allegations off the record amid concerns that members of the jury could be homophobic. They pointed out that the jury questionnaire has already been filed and issued and is “void of a single question about their opinions or feelings on same-sex relationships.”

His legal team said knowing the jury’s feelings on same-sex relationships is vital in giving R. Kelly a fair trial.

Their latest move comes after they also called for Azriel Clary, who is reportedly identified as Jane Doe#5 in the case, to be explicitly named in court documents. She previously alleged that she lived with R. Kelly from 17 to her early 20s. While she initially supported him amid sex trafficking claims against him, she later spoke out against the singer and opened up about how he allegedly abused her. She has since been involved in the case against R. Kelly.

Considering her public claims against him, his lawyers said there’s no need to keep her identity private in papers.

“The need to keep her identity anonymous has been directly undermined by her own actions. Further, the fact that Jane Doe #5 has spoken out publicly, and in fact published a book about her experiences with Mr. Kelly bears directly on her credibility as a witness.”

R. Kelly‘s next court date is set for Monday, Aug. 9 in Brooklyn.

What are your thoughts on R. Kelly’s lawyers’ request? Comment and let us know.