R Kelly's Sex Trafficking Trial Begins in NYC

NEW YORK CITY — A jury of New Yorkers tasked with deciding the fate of R. Kelly, the R & B singer accused of sex trafficking young fans and a pop icon, heard opposing opening arguments Wednesday in Brooklyn's federal court.

"This case is about a predator," said prosecutor Maria Cruz Melendez. "A man who used his fame, his popularity... to target, groom and exploit girls, boys, and young men for his own sexual pleasure."

Defense attorney Nicole Blank Becker had another narrative for the jury to consider.

"The relationships...they were consenting," Becker said. "Some of the relationships Mr. Kelly had, they were beautiful."

The singer, whose real name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, 54, appeared in court in a gray suit and tie. He sat quietly as the attorneys presented opposing narratives of a decades-long career and stories of sexual abuse.

Melendez outlined six stories of women (four whom she noted were under the age of consent when they had sexual encounters with Kelly) who accused the R & B singer of sexual abuse and kidnapping.

The prosecutor began with the story of Aaliyah, whom the prosecutor argued Kelly married when she 15-years-old and he was 27 because they believed she was pregnant with his child.

"If she's his wife, then she can't testify against him," Melendez said. "Or so he thought."

One woman, identified as Sonja, arrived at Kelly's studio expecting to interview the star, only to be locked in a studio for three days and sexually abused while unconscious, possibly rendered so by a drugged meal of Chinese food and coke, Melendez said.

Another woman received what Kelly allegedly called "chastisements" for breaking rules — among them bans on making eye contact with men and the order to call him "Daddy" — that included beatings and forced sex with a stranger, Melendez said.

"That is the man who sits here before you," Melendez told the jury. "We're going to ask you to hold the defendant accountable."

Becker's statement began with a broad-strokes attack on Melendez' characterization of Kelly as an enterprise leader — which lies at the center of his racketeering charge — and the credibility of witnesses who would testify.

"Witnesses you will hear from have an agenda," Becker said. "Even the government won't be able to untangle the mess of lies."

Yet Becker confirmed many allegations made by the prosecution, such as that alleged victims urinated in cups and buckets, wore baggy clothing and traveled across state lines to be with Kelly.

But she dismissed these allegations as necessities of travel, conveniences to protect privacy and the signs of a consensual relationship.

"They knew exactly what they were getting into," Becker said. "They were fans."

If Becker did not directly address the issue of the alleged victims' ages, the defense attorney alluded to this issue in the case seemingly by accident.

Twice, Becker corrected herself to say "women" or "witnesses” after she called Kelly’s alleged victims “girls.”

Correction: This story was updated to reflect the correct spelling of the name used to identify a witness, initially reported to be Sonia.