R Kelly trial in New York: Accused tells court singer of recording sexual encounters and making her dress | Ents & Arts News

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A woman accusing R&B singer Kelly of abuse said in court that he often recorded their sexual encounters and sometimes instructed her to “wear a Girl Scout uniform”.

Gironda Pace, who was the first defendant to begin testifying during the opening of the trial in New York, returned to continue her testimony Thursday — having previously told the jury that the star was aware she was 16 and a virgin when she first went. His home in 2010, when he was in his forties.

She said Kelly, whose real name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, would require her to wear pigtails and “dress like a Girl Scout” at times during sexual encounters, which he often videotaped.

Photo: No cameras are allowed in court, but court drawings show Gironda Pace giving evidence as Kelly saw it during the first day of the trial Photo: The much-anticipated federal trial is another high-profile case in the #MeToo era that has attracted a lot of media attention. Pic: AP Photo / Mary Altaffer

The singer strongly denies allegations of wrongdoing. During cross-examination, one of the defense attorneys, Devereaux Kanek, suggested that Mrs. Pace had mixed up her dates when she was involved with him, and that she had deceived the star, by lying to herself.

“You were actually chasing after him, right?” asked Mr. Kanek. “It’s not true,” Ms. Pace replied.

Jurors were shown screenshots from the woman’s phone showing several calls with Kelly made in January 2010, including a text of him saying, “Please call.” There was also a picture of her with a ‘Rob’ tattoo on her chest – which she said she’s since covered with a ‘black heart’.

While some of the defendants will not be identified in the media, and are identified as “Jane Doe” in court, Ms. Pace, now 28, was one of the women featured in the 2019 documentary series Surviving R Kelly and has spoken openly against the singer.

During her times at Kelly’s mansion, she was asked to follow “Rob’s rules” and was told how to dress and when she could use the bathroom, she previously told the court. She also alleged that he told her to tell people she was 19 and “act like I’m 21”.

This is the second day of Kelly’s trial, as both the prosecution and the defense made their opening statements on Wednesday.

Assistant US Attorney Maria Cruz Melendez told the court that the case involved a “predator” who used his fame “to gain access to girls, boys and young women,” while defense attorney Nicole Blank Baker said his accusers were “agreeable” and enjoyed it. Notoriety that they are able to tell their friends that they were with a star.

Photo: Deveraux Cannick, Nicole Blank Becker and Thomas Farinella (below), on Kelly’s defense team. Pics: AP

Kelly’s legal team argues that his accusers were “disaffected groups” who were “dying to be with him” and knew he had more than one girlfriend. They only started accusing him of abuse years later when public sentiment changed in the #MeToo era, they say.

Set to last for about a month, Ms. Pace is the first witness to testify in Brooklyn federal court. The hearing is expected to include testimonies from several defendants and at least one male defendant, with some allegations going back 20 years.

Other witnesses could include former partners who collaborated with Kelly, who had not previously spoken publicly about their experiences.

Despite his success in the music industry, Kelly has faced allegations of sexual assault throughout his career. In 2008, he went to trial in Illinois and faced child pornography charges, but was acquitted.

The three-time Grammy winner, 54, whose hits have included I Believe I Can Fly, Bump ‘N’ Grind, She’s Got That Vibe and Ignition, has pleaded not guilty to charges of extortion, sexual assault and bribery, and vigorously. He denied any wrongdoing.

The trial is held before an anonymous jury of seven men and five women.

If found guilty, he could be imprisoned for years. However, the New York case is only part of the legal cases the singer is facing, with sexual assault charges being brought in Illinois and Minnesota as well – which he has also pleaded not guilty.

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