LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 30: R. Kelly performs onstage during R. Kelly, New Edition and The Jacksons at the 2013 BET Experience at Staples Center on June 30, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for BET)
As R. Kelly’s trial nears its end, an attorney for the singer said R. Kelly was just like civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Defense attorney Deveraux Cannick told jurors Kelly is demanding prosecutors prove he’s guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the same way Dr. King fought for Constitutional rights, the New York Post reports.
Cannick quoted King’s “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech, telling jurors Dr. King protested in streets across America because the government at the time was not being fair and true to all citizens.
“Somewhere, I read of the freedom of speech. Somewhere I read of the freedom of assembly. Somewhere I read of the freedom of the press,” Cannick quoted King from his historic address.
Cannick added that King led the civil rights movement in his attempt to make the government “be true to what’s on paper.”
“That’s all Robert is trying to do,” Cannick said.
Cannick also gunned for the prosecutors, saying their case was flawed and alleging they encouraged witnesses to lie on the stand, misled jurors, and pushed a false narrative.
“He didn’t have to recruit women,” Cannick said. “That’s the narrative they’re perpetuating.”
R. Kelly is on trial as he is accused of leading an enterprise of his “inner circle” employees that allowed him to allegedly recruit and sexually abuse girls for more than two decades.
Prosecutors alleged R. Kelly sexually abused several teen girls, including the late Aaliyah, whom he illegally wed when she was only 15 years old.
Drake recently caught heat for sampling Kelly’s song on “Certified Lover Boy” amidst his criminal trial. You can read about that here.
If convicted, Kelly faces 10 years to life in prison.
We’ll keep you posted on any updates.
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