Why R. Kelly Was Acquitted

R&B star gives first interview since child porn acquittal

(NEWSER) - In his first interview since beating child pornography charges in June, R&B star R. Kelly said, “I don't like anyone illegal.” But when asked if he liked teenage girls, the AP reports Kelly, 40, told BET: “When you say teenage … how old are we talkin' … 19? I have some 19-year-old friends.” More»

R&B star acquitted of child porn charges

(NEWSER) - Just over 6 years after he was originally indicted, singer R. Kelly was found not guilty today on all 14 child porn counts against him. The jury of three women and nine men deliberated for less than a day before acquitting the singer/songwriter after a 4-week trial, the Chicago Tribune reports. "This prosecution is one we have no reservations about," said the state's attorney. More»

R. Kelly hasn't paid mortgage since June 2010 on Chicago-area mansion

(AP) - The latest American facing foreclosure: Grammy-winning singer R. Kelly. In a foreclosure lawsuit filed last month, JPMorgan Chase Bank states that Kelly hasn't made monthly mortgage payments since June of last year on his suburban Chicago mansion. The home's appraised value fell 26% in a year, to $3.8 million in 2010. The original 1999 loan was for $3.5 million, and the principal due is more than $2.9 million. More»

(NEWSER) - A 25-year-old Chicago stockbroker was sentenced yesterday to 35 years in prison for soliciting sex from minors on Facebook, the Tribune reports. Facebook said this appears to be the first case of a sexual predator using the social networking site. Michael Macalindong posed as a girl to lure a teenage boy, and then blackmailed the teen with video of their encounters. More»

Kelly staff told Allen she should die for testifying

(NEWSER) - The star witness in R. Kelly's child pornography trial said she was threatened for coming forward, AP reports. According to documents unsealed yesterday—a week after Kelly was acquitted—Lisa Van Allen claimed an employee told her she should have been killed for damaging the R&B star. Allen had testified that she had sex with Kelly and an underage female on tape. More»