Jurors in R. Kelly trial dismissed for the day after one is replaced; defense argument to resume Tuesday
CHICAGO — One of the jurors in the federal criminal trial against R. Kelly and two former associates reported she was having a panic attack in the middle of closing arguments Monday and has been excused from the panel.
The juror, a white woman who works for a public library, told courtroom personnel during a break that she “doesn’t think she can go on one minute more” and that waiting overnight would not help, U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber said. After a brief discussion, the woman was replaced by an alternate juror, a white man who appeared to be in his 60s.
The development came after about four hours of closing arguments in the case, first from prosecutors and then by the lawyer for Kelly’s former business manager, Derrel McDavid, and former employee Milton “June” Brown.
The judge sent the jury home until 9 a.m. Tuesday, when Kelly’s attorney Jennifer Bonjean will deliver her closing argument, followed by prosecution rebuttal, jury instructions and then deliberations.
Prosecutors began by reminding jurors of their strongest evidence against the singer: The multiple videos they viewed showing Kelly abusing his 14-year-old goddaughter, “Jane.”
“Kelly and his team, they did their level best ... to cover up the fact that Robert Kelly, R. Kelly the R&B superstar, is actually a
