A juror in R. Kelly’s child sex abuse trial was replaced and excused after suffering a panic attack during the closing arguments.
Here is everything you need to know.
R. Kelly juror has a panic attack in court
On 12th September, Monday, the closing arguments of R. Kelly’s second trial were held at Dirksen Federal Courthouse in Chicago after nearly two years.
However, it was reported that one of the 12 jurors suffered from a panic attack during the proceedings. The juror was further excused from taking part in the session.
Moreover, Jason Meisner, a journalist in the Chicago Tribune reported that the juror was a white woman and seemed to be in her early 30s. He also revealed that she works for a public library.
He wrote in a tweet, ‘One of the R. Kelly jurors is having a panic attack and don’t believe she can continue, the judge says.’
Meisner said in a follow-up message, ‘Judge says it’s juror No. 44, who works for a public library. The 7th juror was selected. “My inclination is to excuse her,” Leinenweber says.’
Furthermore, he added, “[Judge] Leinenweber says the juror reported that she doesn’t think “she can go on one minute more” and that waiting overnight would not help. She’d be replaced by an alternate, Juror No. 83, a male white, 60ish.’
Moreover, according to reports the woman had only heard headlines about the disgraced crooner but had never seen the document series of Surviving R. Kelly. However, it seems like the graphical content presented during the trial might have taken a toll on her.
More about R. Kelly’s child sex abuse trial
R. Kelly is facing sex crime-related accusations for the second time in only a year. He is already serving a 30-year prison sentence after he was found guilty of federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges in New York City.
In the current trial, the 55-year-old R&B singer is charged with child pornography and obstruction of justice.
It has been alleged that he intimidated and bribed witnesses to hide evidence relating to a criminal trial on child pornography charges in 2008 in Cook County.
Additionally, an alleged victim who identifies herself as Jane took the stand last month in Chicago to reveal that Kelly has sex with her several times before she turned 18. She also claimed that the singer filmed intimate videos of her when she was only 14.