R. Kelly: New charges 'raise the stakes,' attorney says

Friday, May 31, 2019
CHICAGO -- An attorney for R. Kelly is speaking out as the embattled R&B star faces 11 new counts of sexual assault and sexual abuse.

The charges include 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 who was at least age 13 and under 17 at the time.
[Ads /]
The four aggravated criminal sexual assault counts carry maximum terms of 30 years in prison.

RELATED: R. Kelly charged with 10 counts of sex abuse in Cook County
R. Kelly charged with 10 counts of sex abuse


Attorney Steve Greenberg, who represents Kelly, said these new charges raise the stakes.

"Obviously it presents more risk because the penalties are greater, but it doesn't change the underlying facts," he said.



Those facts include the charges Kelly previously faced, connected to allegations of sexual abuse and assault against Kelly from four different women, three of whom claim they were underage at the time. The previous charges could have been punishable with probation.

Kelly pleaded not guilty to the original charges and denied any wrongdoing after his February arrest.

Jerhonda Pace, one of Kelly's alleged victims who has come forward publicly, claims she was 16 when she and Kelly had a sexual relationship.

"Yes I am aware of the 11 new counts against R. Kelly," she tweeted Thursday. "Yes, all new accounts are related to my case."

Oronike Odeleye, a leader of the "Mute R. Kelly" hashtag campaign, says Pace and other accusers are telling the truth.



"Nobody's bringing charges they can't back up with evidence," Odeleye said.

"When there's smoke there's fire. Activists, survivors have been speaking out against R. Kelly for years," said fellow co-founder Kenyette Barnes.

Jim DeRogatis, a Chicago-based journalist who has been covering R. Kelly and the allegations around him for years, called the singer "the worst abuser of women in the history of pop music."

"This is a 30-year pattern of predatory behavior," he said.

RELATED: TIMELINE: History of R. Kelly sex abuse allegations
TIMELINE: History of R. Kelly sex abuse allegations


Kelly's attorney disagrees and says his client plans to plead not guilty in court again next week.



"It doesn't change the fact that she's told a million different stories over time and admitted lying many times," he said.

Kelly's attorney said the singer plans to release new music soon, despite his record company dropping him. #MuteRKelly organizers hope to stop radio stations from playing that music.

RELATED: R. Kelly performs for 28 seconds at Springfield club; fans upset
[Ads /]
RELATED: R. Kelly's attorney appears in court
RELATED: Dubai denies there were plans for R. Kelly concert
RELATED: R. Kelly appears in court Friday
RELATED: R. Kelly will request permission to travel to Dubai via private jet for concerts
RELATED: R. Kelly appears in court for child support hearing
RELATED: R. Kelly released from Cook County Jail
RELATED: Man says he found videotape of R. Kelly sexually abusing girls
RELATED: R. Kelly in jail for failing to pay child support; New allegation surfaces
RELATED: R. Kelly returns to jail for failing to pay child support
RELATED: R. Kelly speaks publicly for 1st time since new sex abuse charges
RELATED: 'Friend' who posted bail for R. Kelly identified
RELATED: R. Kelly released from jail after pleading not guilty to sex abuse charges
RELATED: 'I'm the one you ignore': Chicago writer tenacious in R. Kelly coverage that has spanned years
RELATED: R. Kelly remains in jail; singer's finances 'a mess,' lawyer says
RELATED: R. Kelly charged: A look back at key moments of the singer's life and career
RELATED: R. Kelly charged with 10 counts of sex abuse, bond set at $1M
RELATED: R. Kelly looking at jail without bond, life in prison if convicted
RELATED: R. Kelly charged with 10 counts of sex abuse, in police custody
RELATED: R. Kelly moving out of West Side studio
[Ads /]
RELATED: R. Kelly lawyer disputes report that grand jury convened to examine allegations against singer
RELATED: Allred concerned client may be on R. Kelly tape
RELATED: R. Kelly seen having sex with underage girl in new tape, attorney says
RELATED: Keys from Atlanta TV crew's rental car stolen outside R. Kelly's studio
RELATED: Judge rules R. Kelly can't use West Loop recording studio overnight
RELATED: SEE INSIDE: R. Kelly hasn't cleared bedroom from West Loop studio, inspectors say
RELATED: SEE INSIDE: Judge orders clean-up, new restrictions at R Kelly's studio
RELATED: R. Kelly attorney speaks out after singer's West Loop studio inspected
RELATED: A look inside R. Kelly's West Loop studio; city inspectors find violations
RELATED: City inspectors find violations at R. Kelly's West Loop studio
RELATED: Alleged victim accuses R. Kelly of trying to silence her
RELATED: City to inspect R. Kelly's Near West Side music studio
RELATED: Lady Gaga apologizes for R. Kelly collaboration
RELATED: R. Kelly parties at South Side nightclub as legal pressures mount
RELATED: Protesters call for prosecution, boycott of R. Kelly outside Chicago studio
RELATED: Foxx asks for cooperation from possible victims, witnesses to open R. Kelly investigation
RELATED: Chance the Rapper apologizes for past work with R Kelly
RELATED: R Kelly's accusers, inner circle revisit shocking allegations in new docuseries
RELATED: R. Kelly's ex-wife shares story of abuse, survival ahead of documentary
Copyright © 2024 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.