- You do not want to testify, is that correct?
asked Judge Ann Connelly.
"That's right," said the singer, whose real name is Robert Kelly.
He denies the allegations of sexual assault and extortion and also of having taken minors across the state border in order to let them end up in prostitution, writes Reuters.
Last witness
During the last days of the trial, the defense has called several witnesses who testified that they had never seen R Kelly rape anyone.
The fifth and final witness, Julius Darrington, worked in the music business and was a consultant to Kelly on the recordings of his latest album.
He testified that since they started working together in 2016, he had never seen him treat any of his girlfriends badly.
- But you do not know what happened behind closed doors, when you were not there?
prosecutor Nadia Shihata asked during the cross-examination.
"Correct," replied Darrington.
Denies accusations
R Kelly denies all allegations and the defense has dismissed the plaintiffs as "dissatisfied groupies".
The prosecutor in the case has called a number of witnesses to strengthen the image of R Kelly as a sex offender, regardless of when the events should have taken place.
The indictment against R Kelly was brought over two years ago but the trial in a court in Brooklyn has been delayed as a result of the pandemic.
If the singer is convicted on all counts, he risks imprisonment for between ten years and life.
R Kelly risks more charges of abuse, in a federal court in Chicago, as well as in state courts in Illinois and Minnesota.