R. Kelly appears during a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on Sept. 17, 2019 in Chicago. (Photo by Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune/TNS/Sipa USA)
US-NEWS-RKELLY-TB
NEW YORK (AP) — A lawyer for R. Kelly has told a judge that the R&B singer is unlikely to take the witness stand at his sex-trafficking trial in Brooklyn Federal court.
The remark Tuesday by attorney Deveraux Cannick came as the defense was winding down its case at the trial.
Closing arguments could begin as early as this afternoon.
The 54-year-old Kelly has denied accusations he was a sexual predator who groomed young women. The spectacle of Kelly testifying has always been a long shot. Kelly nodded his head when the judge indicated he still had time to change his mind.
Kelly faces multiple federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges, including violations of the Mann Act. The Mann Act prohibits the trafficking people across state lines for prostitution or sexual activity.
Kelly was transferred to NYC from federal a federal prison in Chicago in August, where he also faces federal and state charges.
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