In a pretty surprising development, alleged child molester R. Kelly was found not guilty by a Cook County jury on all 14 counts he was facing.
This puts the cap on one of the most sordid trials this side of O.J. Simpson, as Kelly had been accused of having sex with a minor (both on and off videotape, including scenes of urination). He was indicted in 2002, but the trial took a long time to get rolling. There were some strange paths taken by Kelly’s defense (remember the “That Piss Could be Digital” defense of three weeks ago?) and Kelly’s attorney spent a week pointing blame at rock critic Jim DeRogatis.
Kelly was acquitted by the judge after 7 ½ hours of deliberation on the part of the jury. During the trial, the jury was treated to showings of the sex tape, other cases where Kelly may have slept with under-aged girls, and tales of sordid acts in Kelly’s Space Jam-themed basketball court.
Kelly’s career hasn’t stalled due to the trial, he is slated to have an album out sometime this Summer.
R. Kelly »
On the plus side, as stated above, Kelly can still be referred to as "alleged child molester." That sh!t don't wash off.