The jury for R. Kelly’s trial has been selected.
Seven men and five women have been selected and sworn in as jurors. They will remain anonymous and hidden away. The singer has been accused of tampering with witnesses in the past.
Opening statements and testimony for the trial will begin August 18.
Prosecutors accuse Kelly of racketeering and sex trafficking and the trial could last as long as eight weeks.
R. KELLY INTERVIEW
The disgraced singer pleaded not guilty to charges accusing him of leading an enterprise of managers, bodyguards and other members of staff who helped him recruit women and girls for sex.
“Believe me, man! This is not me! They lying on me! They’re lying on me! I’m cool, bro,” he told Gayle King in 2019. “I’m cool. I’m good. I’m not afraid because I’m telling the truth. I’m not afraid because I’m telling the truth!” he said before covering his face with his hands.