A jury has been set for the New York sex trafficking trial of R. Kelly.
The jury is comprised of seven men and five women, with six alternates. Judge Ann Donnelly swore in the jurors on Wednesday. The trial, set for August 18, will begin with opening statements.
Kelly, 34, whose birth name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, faces state and federal charges for sex trafficking, racketeering, coercion and other charges related to the alleged abuse and exploitation of six women over the course of 25 years. He could be sentenced up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Kelly’s Brooklyn trial has been postponed at least five times because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the most recent delay was for Kelly to review his case materials with his new legal team. As previously reported, two of Kelly’s top lawyers withdrew from the case in June.
Kelly also faces a separate indictment in Chicago for allegations regarding child pornography. That trial is scheduled to begin in September.
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