A federal jury in Chicago on Wednesday convicted disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly on child pornography charges for making videos of himself sexually abusing his then 14-year-old goddaughter decades ago, but acquitted him of allegations that he was conspiring to obstruct justice in his 2002 Cook County case.

After approximately 11 hours of deliberation, the jury found 55-year-old Kelly guilty of three of the first four counts alleging the singer’s sexual exploitation of “Jane” for the purpose of producing child pornography. These charges carry a minimum of 10 years in prison.

However, Kelly was acquitted of the prosecution, which claimed he videotaped himself having sexual contact with “Jane” and prosecution witness Lisa Van Allen. While Van Allen and Jane testified that the threesome took place and was videotaped, the jury did not view footage of the encounter. Prosecutors said that was because Kelly’s enablers successfully concealed it.

Dressed in a blue suit with a tie and black glasses, the one-time superstar stared straight ahead and didn’t react noticeably to the jury’s decision. Despite his conviction on the most serious charges, his attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, clenched her fist and rubbed Kelly’s back as some of the not-guilty verdicts were read.

Kelly was found guilty of three out of five counts related to the seduction of a minor.

Kelly’s co-defendants Milton “June” Brown and Derrel McDavid were acquitted of all charges.

All three men were acquitted amid allegations that they conspired to obtain child pornography.

Kelly and McDavid were acquitted in Cook County in 2002 of conspiring to obstruct justice in Kelly’s case. The two men were also cleared of charges of receiving child pornography.

When he was found not guilty on the last count, McDavid got up and banged both fists on the ceiling. He then hugged Kelly before leaving the room.

As the lawyers packed up their things, McDavid said in court, “I’ll buy the drinks tonight!”

The jury acquitted Kelly and his co-defendants on all charges related to their alleged attempt to cover up incriminating tapes while Kelly awaited trial in Cook County. The prosecution alleged a far-reaching plan to recover the videotapes and pressure Jane to remain silent about her sexual contact with the singer.

The prosecution’s case depended in part on the testimonies of prosecution witnesses Charles Freeman and Lisa Van Allen, who have been repeatedly called liars and blackmailers by defense attorneys.

And in closing arguments, Kelly attorney Jennifer Bonjean said Jane’s parents lied about her relationship with the singer, not because they were pressured, but because “they didn’t care … They condoned it.”

“Life is complex, and despite all the fists and outrage, this family made a decision that they had to live with at this point,” she said.

Defense attorneys for Kelly and McDavid both noted a statute of limitations element of the conspiracy to obstruct justice charges: it depended on proving that they had acted to further the conspiracy sometime after July 2014. Even if there was a conspiracy, the defense argued it couldn’t have lasted long after Kelly’s acquittal in 2008.

And while Kelly was convicted of seduction in relation to witnesses “Jane,” “Nia,” and “Pauline,” he was found not guilty on two others.

The jury acquitted Kelly of seduction in connection with “Tracy” – the only witness whose age was materially questioned at the time of her alleged contact with Kelly. Tracy testified that in 1999 she was 16 years old when she started working as an intern at a record label and met R. Kelly. Not long after, they began having sexual contact, she said, including a harrowing encounter at a Westin hotel.

However, Tracy filed a lawsuit in 2001, saying her sexual contact with Kelly began a year later, when she was 17 — the Illinois age of consent.

Prosecutors noted in their closing arguments that being under the age of 18 was critical to the federal indictment. But Kelly’s defense seized on this as evidence of her general untrustworthiness — saying it actually shows an encounter with Kelly at a Westin hotel actually happened when she was 18.

The jury also acquitted Kelly on a charge of seduction related to “Brittany,” which prosecutors said she would call to the witness stand but never did. Instead, the jury was told to rely on testimony from two other witnesses that Kelly had a threesome with them and Brittany when they were minors.

But defense attorneys took advantage of the fact that the jury had never heard from the woman herself. “Who is Brittany? Where is Brittany?” said attorney Jennifer Bonjean in the closing arguments.

Earlier Wednesday, the jury had sent a series of notes to the judge, including one in which they informed the court that they were undecided on two counts against two defendants.

The verdict comes 14 years after Kelly’s infamous acquittal on similar charges in Cook County, based on a single video of Kelly allegedly molesting Jane in the hot tub room of his former home on West George Street in the late 1990s.

Prosecutors said Jane lied to a state grand jury examining that tape, claiming she was not the girl pictured and that she and Kelly never had a sexual relationship. Her absence at the 2008 trial was the determining factor in the jury’s decision of not guilty.

Prosecutors in Kelly’s current case have claimed her silence was no accident, but the result of a years-long criminal conspiracy by Kelly and his co-defendants to stop Jane and other underage victims from cooperating with law enforcement and to buy back and cover up sex tapes incriminating Kelly had made.

Three years ago, after maintaining a relationship with Kelly for years, Jane began collaborating with a federal investigation launched following the airing of Lifetime’s 2019 docuseries, Surviving R. Kelly.

Kelly was charged in July 2019 with making and receiving child pornography, luring minors into sex and obstructing justice. Also charged were his former executive Derrel McDavid and his former employee Milton “June” Brown, who were accused of helping cover up Kelly’s sexual misconduct.

During the five-week trial, the jury was shown clips from three separate videos alleging Kelly abusing Jane, including the same tape from his Cook County trial and another in which he instructed her to repeatedly refer to her “14-year-old.” to refer to “genitals.

Last month, Jane testified for the first time that not only was she on the videotapes, but that Kelly had sexually abused her “countless” times when she was a minor, in his recording studio, at his home, on tour buses and in hotel rooms.

When asked on the witness stand why she finally decided to come forward and speak up after two decades of silence, Jane said, “I was exhausted from living with[Kelly’s]lies.”

In this court sketch, a woman known by the alias “Jane” testifies at R. Kelly’s trial in federal court on August 19, 2022 in Chicago. (Cheryl Cook/AP)

In her closing arguments on Tuesday, Kelly’s attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, spoke at length about Kelly’s relationship with Jane and her family, which lasted well beyond her alleged abuse as a minor and, according to Bonjean, was approved by her parents.

“It’s an uncomfortable reality for the government,” Bonjean said. “Life is complex, and despite all the fists and outrage, this family made a decision that they had to live with at this point.”

Jane’s parents lied to the grand jury about her sexual relationship with the singer because “they didn’t care,” Bonjean said. “She was 17 and they didn’t care… They condoned it.”

Bonjean noted that when Surviving R. Kelly came out, Jane repeatedly contacted Kelly, but he never attempted to influence her in any way. “He changed his phone number,” she said. “He’s silent to her. That’s the most disinterested person I’ve ever seen.”

In counterargument, however, Assistant US Attorney Jeannice Appenteng said the evidence was clear that Kelly was a serial sex predator and that his co-defendants made the decision to help him cover it up in order to keep his career intact and continue theirs to fill their own pockets.

“What R. Kelly wanted was sex with young girls,” Appenteng said. “And what the people around him wanted … they wanted to help their boss, including helping him get away with it.”

Appenteng also asked the jury to pay special attention to Jane’s testimony and video footage of her abuse.

“You saw[Kelly]using her body, turning her and throwing her around like she was a rag doll,” says Appenteng. “That’s what this case is about.”

The verdict marked Kelly’s second criminal conviction in the past year. In September 2021, a federal jury in Brooklyn found him guilty of racketeering conspiracy and eight other charges alleging the singer used his organization to lure and capture girls, boys, and young women to fulfill his sexually predatory desires to satisfy.

He was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison by US District Judge Ann Donnelly in June.

This is an evolving story. See again for more information.

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Athens. Greek actress Irene Papas died on Wednesday at the age of 96, according to the Greek Ministry of Culture.

During her more than 50-year career, she has devoted herself to both cinema and theatre, in which her important roles have internationally acclaimed her as the “great lady of Greek theatre” and have made her a Hellenic symbol of beauty and Mediterranean culture. .

Papas was born in 1926 in a village near Corinth, although her family moved to Athens when she was seven, and at fifteen she began her career as a radio actress, singer and dancer.

As early as the 1950s, she impersonated Greek heroines such as Antigone in the National Theater of Greece and on the big screen, earning critical acclaim.

However, it was his performances in The Guns of Navarone (1961), Electra (1962) and Zorba, the Greek (1964) that catapulted his fame to the international stage. who were nominated for the Oscars.

But fame did not save him from exile. In 1967 a military dictatorship began in Greece, which the actress rejected, which is why she went first to Italy and then to New York with other artists.

During her exile both in Rome and in Hollywood, she continued her work as an actress, collaborating with directors such as Franco Zeffirelli, Franco Rossi and Costas Gavras.

She even had a love affair with famous actor Marlon Brando and after his death, the actress confessed that it was the love of her life.

After the military junta was overthrown in 1974, Irenes Papas was able to return to her country and in 1995 she was awarded the Order of the Phoenix by the then President of the Hellenic Republic. Kostis Stefanopulos.

In 2018 he announced that he had been suffering from Alzheimer’s for five years.

The Greek actress has acted in more than 70 films, which gives her great prestige in the world of cinema and theater.

The Countess and Princess are promoted by the Sovereign. The first was like a second daughter to Elizabeth. The second has always shown total dedication without asking for anything, not even a title for the children. And Meghan’s ears are ringing

Two women, very different. But very close to Her Majesty, to whom she shared a feeling of total devotion. A daughter and daughter-in-law who are now the new faces of Charles III’s monarchy in light sauce. The Countess of Wessex, Sophie, wife of Prince Edward, and Princess Anne, Elizabeth’s only daughter. After Kate Middleton, now Princess of Wales, they will be the new stars (with rise in sight) – photo | Videos 1 | Videos 2 | Videos 3 | videos 4

Elizabeth of England, London (with the greats of the world) prepares for the funeral – look

The cover of Today on newsstands

THE SOPHIE EMPATHY – Sophie Rhys-Jones, 57, was a PR guru who had opened her own communications agency. She met Edoardo, Elizabeth’s youngest son, while working at Capital Radio in London and married him in 1999. It was not an idyllic time at the Windsors. A late News of the World reporter caught her spreading rumors about politicians and members of the royal family. Caught in error, she closed the agency, gave up her job and devoted herself exclusively to the monarchy. Since then, she has become so close to the Queen that she considered her a second daughter. It’s a secret? Empathy. State that the Windsors have limited supplies. It was the Countess who took the car and drove first to Frogmore Cottage when Archie, son of the Dukes of Sussex, was born in 2019. Without waiting for official invitations, communication between private secretaries and so on. He was simply acting as a “normal” person of the people. Sophie will inherit the title of Duchess of Edinburgh from the Queen, while her husband will become the Duke of Edinburgh, the title bestowed on Prince Philip. A full-fledged promotion that will make it increasingly present. The King, without being able to rely on her brother Andrew and son Harry, wants her to be at the forefront to fill the vacant roles.

Children, grandchildren, titles, poisons and jealousies: this is the family Elisabetta leaves behind – look

THE STRENGTH OF ANNA – He accompanied his mother on her last travels and never left her. He was en route with the coffin from Balmoral to Edinburgh, a six-hour non-stop journey. She also boarded the RAF plane that brought the coffin from Scotland to London. “It was an honor and a privilege to accompany her – she wrote in a statement – I was lucky to witness the last 24 hours of my dear mother.” Anna was already in Balmoral when the Queen was worse off went, and was at his bedside when she died. Discreet, without the eccentricities and hubris of her brother king, Anna has always served the sovereign and the crown with fervor. She works above all (with hundreds of public engagements) every year. He never asked for anything, nor did he want a royal title for his children. Carlo appreciates her very much and wants her to be his advisor and right-hand man together with William. His calm strength will be of great help to him.

Deborah Ameri

Today © RESERVED REPRODUCTION

Block foreman Keith discovers major defect in Omar and Oz’s bathroom as pair accused of ‘shady acting’ by Ronnie Caceres: ‘I’m really disgusted’

By Savanna Young for Chron Australia

11:10 PM BST, September 14, 2022 | Updated: 11:13 PM BST, 14 September 2022

Block contenders Omar and Oz continue to bear the brunt of Foreman Keith Schleiger after a major defect in their blanket was discovered.

On Wednesday’s episode, Keith stopped by to inspect the roof of her winning bathroom and noticed that a ceiling beam had been removed to include a warming light.

The foreman said it was a major safety issue and could eventually cause the gyprock to collapse.

Block contenders Omar and Oz (pictured) continue to bear the brunt of foreman Keith Schleiger after a major defect in their blanket was discovered

“I found something I didn’t want to see,” he said to the boys. “Actually, I’m disgusted. I’m really angry. I am angry.”

He continued, “There’s a large span of about 1,500mm with no frame around it. An IXL Tastic would weigh a few pounds. It will fall through the plaster.’

Omar and Oz assured Keith that their team was “doing everything by the book,” but he hadn’t.

Keith then pointed out that the ceiling was already sagging by 25mm and the couple had no insulation throughout the house, which had to be done “week after week”.

Then he turned on the boys and accused them of not doing work.

Keith (pictured) said it was a major safety issue and could eventually cause the gyprock to collapse, pointing out that the ceiling is already sagging by 25mm

“Every time I see you guys – I’m just being honest here – you’re on the phone. I’ve never seen you hit me. I’ve never seen you cut, nail, screw anything,’ Keith said.

‘No more ridiculous stuff, boys. That must not happen.’

Keith then stormed off before continuing his tirade at the producers.

“It’s just ridiculous… I’m just fed up with all the deviousness,” he raged.

“It happens all the time. We keep catching them doing the wrong thing and it just has to stop.”

Shortly after returning contestant Ronnie Caceres arrived at the site, he surmised that Omar and Oz were saving money by getting their friends and family to help for free

Also this week the best friends from west Sydney came under scrutiny at how little they’d previously spent on handymen, leading to suspicions they weren’t paying them at all.

Shortly after returning contestant Ronnie Caceres arrived at the site, he surmised that Omar and Oz were saving money by getting their friends and family to help for free.

When they actually use free labor, they gain an unfair advantage over the other teams, who have to use money from their budget to pay their builders, chippies, electricians, and plasterers.

West Sydney’s best cronies faced scrutiny at how little they had previously spent on handymen, leading to suspicions that they weren’t paying them at all. As revealed on the show last week, they only spent $7,500 on plasterers, which is far less than the other teams

Alarm bells started ringing for Ronnie, 46, when he entered Omar and Oz’s home and he accused the boys of “shady dealings”.

“Something’s wrong,” said the franchise veteran-turned-detective.

Having previously attended the Nine renovation show twice with his wife Georgia, he knows everything there is to know about balancing a budget.

So seeing more than a dozen trades at work was a big red flag, especially after Omar and Oz were so notorious for being so under budget last week.

“I counted 17 trades in House 5,” Ronnie said, adding, “Are these all your cousins?”

Ronnie arrives at the Macedon Ranges construction site in a limousine

Carolina Dieckmann is back in Brazil after living in Miami, USA for six years. The actress, who will be cast in Globo’s next seven o’clock soap opera Vai na Fé, spoke to this column syringes during a beauty event in Rio and thought about the experiences from abroad.

Accustomed to the limelight since childhood the actress made her television debut at the age of 15 she feels the experience of anonymity is necessary.

“The option to go with Tiago [Worcman, diretor de televisão, com quem Carolina é casada há 19 anos] it was an investment in my personal life. I never wanted to take exams or invest in an international career. My goal was to be with my husband and children. Now that I’m going back to Brazil, I feel like I’m getting back into my life. I’m investing in my job again,” he says.

Carolina emphasizes that her marriage has benefited from the decisions: “I made the best decision and I see the maturation of my relationship and the love I have for Tiago.

When asked if she’s stayed away from the media, the actress explains:

I didn’t want to go through life without having the experience of being anonymous. I could look back on my career. I come back with the lessons learned and propose that people live outside their place of birth. You become your own analyst.

Carolina Dieckmann poses with her children

Image: Playback/Instagram

“I learned to wash the toilet and make the bed”

Carolina Dieckmann lived through the pandemic in the USA and also carries lessons from the isolation period. The actress admits she didn’t know how to do basic chores around the house.

“Of course the pandemic has been a disaster for the world, but we have to see the positive.

So this is how you wash a toilet? What makes a bed? I started making my bed during the pandemic. I learned to wash the toilet and cook for myself. For this I always had a helper, and I had to take care of life.

Carolina is still on her list of findings:

“Now I know that if the need arises, I can do anything and I didn’t know that before. I didn’t have that time to live at home, cook food for my kids, take it to school every day. I worked a lot, I knew other things.”