Prosecutor calls R Kelly a 'predator' as sex abuse trial, testimony begin

Kelly, a three-time Grammy winner whose songs include "I Believe I Can Fly" and "Bump N’ Grind," has pleaded not guilty to a nine-count indictment that includes accusations of bribery and extortion. He has strongly denied wrongdoing.

New York: R Kelly is a ‘predator’ who demanded absolute fealty from the many women and underage girls he dominated in a two-decade racketeering scheme, a federal prosecutor said on Wednesday as the R&B star’s sex abuse trial began. Kelly’s defense team countered that the government's case had ‘gaps,’ and that the 54-year-old singer’s accusers were unhappy former fans who wanted to get back at him because their relationships didn't work out. In her opening statement, Assistant US Attorney Maria Cruz Melendez told the Brooklyn jury of seven men and five women that Kelly used "lies, manipulation, threats and physical abuse" to control his victims, and often filmed their sexual encounters.