R&B singer R. Kelly was given a 30-year jail sentence following his conviction on sex trafficking and racketeering charges in federal court last year.
On Wednesday, he appeared in court with seven of his accusers, who each submitted victim impact statements outlining their interactions with the musician.
For “protecting the public” from the singer, prosecutors had demanded that he serve more than 25 years in prison.
In September of last year, he was found guilty on nine charges, including one for racketeering and eight for Mann Act crimes.
The three women who testified against R. Kelly are being represented by Gloria Allred, who told reporters that “no one can undo the harm that has been done to these victims.”
Following the verdict, Kelly’s lawyer Steve Greenberg accused the victims of “preying” on the singer.
A second Kelly lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, said that she had urged the singer to avoid speaking in court before his sentencing.
