Pop artist R. Kelly wants US Supreme Court to toss Chicago conviction

R&B singer R. Kelly’s defense team announced it is petitioning the United States Supreme Court on Tuesday, July 30, to overturn Kelly’s Chicago conviction for possession of child pornography and enticing minors to engage in sexual activity. His attorneys argue that the Chicago convictions and 20-year prison sentence should be thrown out because of the statute of limitations.

Kelly was tried under the federal PROTECT act, which is a 2003 law that extended the federal statute of limitation for sex crimes involving children. His lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, contended that because Kelly’s actions occurred in the 1990s, before the law was passed, the statute of limitations should have expired.

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Kelly has previously appealed his Chicago conviction in lower courts using the same defense. However, both the district and appellate courts rejected his defense team’s appeal.

The singer is currently serving a separate 30-year sentence for sex trafficking from a New York case. He is also reportedly appealing that conviction, though it is not part of the Supreme Court petition.

Bonjean successfully represented comedian Bill Cosby in his appeal in 2021. A judge tossed Cosby’s conviction due to a legal technicality. Bonjean is also representing Harvey Weinstein as he appeals his conviction in Los Angeles following the overturning of his conviction on sexual crimes in New York.

The Supreme Court only hears a few cases each year. If Kelly’s appeal is heard, it would take place in the next court session, which occurs in October.