Torchde Team | November 9, 2021
New York-based attorney Jennifer Bonjean sat down with BNC News to discuss the legal issues she had with R Kelly’s conviction. Bonjean is known for helping the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturn Bill Cosby’s 2018 conviction. R. Kelly, who was convicted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges in September, is now Bonjean’s new client. She discusses reasons why R Kelly deserves a defense and why she feels his trial wasn’t fair.
The post-trial motions were due in November but Bonjean asked for a two-month extension. She told the Tribune that she’s “looking forward to getting familiar with the record” in Kelly’s case, and refers to the RICO Act charges as a “kitchen sink approach.” In addition, “she will spearhead Kelly’s post-conviction motions and if the U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly denies Kelly a new trial, she’ll work on an appeal before the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.”
Why the R Kelly Case?
In BNC’s Making the Case, Bonjean was asked why she took on the case. “A miscarriage of justice occurs when the government oversteps – when they or overreach – when they violate someone’s constitutional right to a fair trial. Then I ask myself: Is there anything I can do about it? Can I possibly get this individual some type of remedy some type of relief? When I looked at R Kelly’s case, I found both of those things were true.” the attorney told BNC.
Where Is R Kelly’s Girlfriend?
TMZ recently conducted an interview with Jocelyn Savage’s parents. According to the Savages, despite Kelly’s conviction, Joycelyn has not reconnected with them. Recently, Joycelyn was seen visiting R Kelly in prison. Joycelyn and R Kelly are engaged and plan to marry.
R Kelly Defense Against the RICO Act
Bonjean feels that charging Kelly with the RICO Act violated the singer’s constitutional rights. “They [the prosecutors] are doing that to plead around the statute of limitations but even more problematic… they used this statute in order to overwhelm the jury with other crimes or other bad acts evidence.”
What Is The Mann Act?
In 1910, the Mann Act was passed and named after Illinois Congressman James R. Mann. The Act prohibits the use of interstate or foreign commerce to transport women for immoral purposes. Prostitution and human trafficking were the targets of the Act, but it became a weapon for racism as well. Usually, African American men who were seen with white women were accused of violating the Mann Act. Jack Johnson, the first African-American boxer to hold the world heavyweight title, was arrested and charged with violating the Mann Act in 1912.
“They brought claims under the Mann Act and the Mann Act has been historically problematic and was no less problematic in this case as well.”
“When the government runs amuck – right now it’s R Kelly, tomorrow it’s and maybe somebody else. To keep the government honest and to keep them in check, the system has to work for all of us. “ – Jennifer Bonjean, Defense Attorney