R. Kelly Trial Day 7 [PM]: Kelly's Lawyers Accuse Star Witness Of Extortion
June 03,2008
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Defense attorneys in the R. Kelly child pornography trial cross-examined the prosecution's key witness this afternoon; a woman who testified to having multiple three-way sexual encounters with the singer and the alleged victim.
As previously reported, in this morning's testimony, Lisa Van Allen identified Kelly and the alleged 13 year-old girl on the sex tape in question and said she engaged in a three-way sex act with both of them on at least three occasions. She was the prosecution's last witness before they rested their case.
The State granted Van Allen immunity as Judge Vincent Gaughan warned her that her testimony might be self-incriminating.
According to the Associated Press, Van Allen, who is currently pregnant, testified that Kelly offered her $250,000 last year to recover a tape of one of their sexual encounters. She said acquaintances of hers took the video to a Chicago hotel to meet with an associate of Kelly's. They were then paid $20,000 in cash.
The defense painted Van Allen as a woman with a penchant for men with criminal records during their cross examination. Last week a mystery witness surfaced for Kelly's defense team, named Damon Pryor. The man is an ex-boyfriend of Van Allen as well as the father of her 5-year old child.
Both Pryor and Van Allen's current fiancé, Yul Brown have been previously convicted of fraud. In addition Brown was arrested on gun and drug charges in February and faced up to 22 years in prison. He received probation after pleading guilty and the defense believes he then arranged for Van Allen to testify against Kelly.
Pryor's testimony is expected to contradict Van Allen's.
The defense accused Van Allen of conspiring with her fiancé to extort money from Kelly prior to his February arrest.
Van Allen claims she was very close to Kelly and even moved from Georgia to Chicago to be with him. Appearing in his "I Wish" video she said she'd simulated sex onstage with the R&B singer at a 1998 concert.
Following Van Allen's testimony, the state rested its case. Jurors will have the day off tomorrow as the defense prepares for Wednesday's proceedings.
Kelly faces 14 counts of videotaping, producing or soliciting child pornography. He pled innocent to all charges and if convicted could face up to 15 years in prison.