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A witness in the R. Kelly trial testified Monday (August 23) that the disgraced R&B singer married the late Aaliyah so that the then 15-year-old could get an abortion.
The shocking testimony came from a “Jane Doe” in the case who told the court Kelly made the confession in front of several of his girlfriends. According to The Huffington Post, the 23-year-old Doe testified that the 51-year-old gathered several of the women he had a relationship with so that they could ask him anything they wanted.
One of the women, Doe said, asked him to explain the marriage to an underage Aaliyah, who died in a plane crash in 2001. Doe testified that Kelly explained that only parents and spouses could legally give permission for a minor to get an abortion.
Doe went on to say that Kelly gave Aaliyah money and a secret phone the rising R&B star could use to reach him in case of an emergency.
Kelly’s former tour manager Demetrius Smith testified Friday (August 20) and Monday (August 24) and admitted bribing an Illinois state official with $500 to obtain a fake ID for Aaliyah so the two could get married. Kelly was 27 at the time.
Smith told the court he was there when the marriage license was secured and when they exchanged vows in casual clothes at a Sheraton hotel in Chicago. Smith noted that Kelly left shortly after the ceremony to perform at a show.
“It shouldn’t have happened. It was wrong,” Smith testified. “I shouldn’t be talking about Aaliyah ‘cause she’s not here,” Smith added before getting cut off by Judge Ann Donnelly.
Jane Doe No. 5 Testifies
Jane Doe No. 5 also testified Monday (August 23) describing the physical and sexual abuse she endured at the hands of R. Kelly.
Doe testified she met the singer with her parents at one of his concerts in 2015 when she was 17-years-old and he was 48. The now 23-year-old said she was forced to call Kelly "Daddy" and that he controlled what she wore and ate during the five years she was with him.
She also said Kelly forced her to have sex with several other women and would create collateral on her –– like recording of a video of her lying about being molested by her father –– so that she couldn't leave the singer. She testified he booked interstate travel for her while she was still in high school, which could prove to be the legal sticking point for the racketeering charges against Kelly.
Doe's harrowing testimony included description of the predatory techniques he used to lure underage girls like her into abusive relationships. During opening statements last week, prosecutors said Kelly told Doe, who was an aspiring singer when she met Kelly, he told her she was talented enough to be the next Aaliyah.
Kelly is facing multiple federal charges including running a criminal enterprise for the purpose of recruiting women and underage girls for sex. If convicted, he could face 10 years to life in prison.
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