By Tyler Clifford and Luc Cohen

NEW YORK (Reuters) – R. Kelly’s accusers were motivated by money to lie about his alleged sexual abuses, a lawyer for the R&B superstar argued on Thursday in a final effort to persuade jurors not to convict Kelly of sex trafficking charges.

Kelly’s lawyer Deveraux Kannick portrayed his accusers in Brooklyn as ex-fans or jilted lovers looking to make a quick buck, through either book deals or appearances in media like “Surviving R. Kelly” the 2019 Lifetime documentary.

They are monetizing. They are aware of the rules. They are surviving on R. Kelly,” Cannick stated, referring to the civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. as he urged jurors for the strength to convict the singer of 54 years.

Cannick spoke shortly after Elizabeth Geddes (Assistant U.S. Attorney) finished her closing argument. It lasted approximately six hours over two days.

Geddes reviewed the testimony of dozens, ex-employees, and other witnesses against Cannick, who is Robert Sylvester Kelly. Geddes also found that Kelly videotaped her exploits and concealed his diagnosis.

Geddes concluded by repeating each accuser’s name. Robert Kelly must be held responsible for these crimes. You must convict him.

Kelly is well-known for his hit 1996 song “I Believe I Can Fly” and pleaded guilty to one count racketeering. He also pleaded no contest to eight counts of illegally moving people across state boundaries for prostitution. The trial began Aug. 18.

Kelly was portrayed by the prosecution as a dangerous predator, who exploited his celebrity and charm to attract women and girls under age into his orbit.

Kelly, who was accused of sexual misconduct as part of #MeToo, is a prominent figure in sexual assault allegations.

Aaliyah, the singer who was killed in an airplane crash in 2001 is one of his alleged victims.

After U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly gives instructions to jurors about the law, deliberations could begin Friday.

MIXED EMOTIONS

Wearing black glasses, Kelly had different reactions as he listened to closing arguments.

Geddes’ claim that an associate copied him in a threat email to a victim made Kelly hang his head. However, he later lean forward, focusing intensely on Cannick. Cannick’s lawyer described Cannick and his accusers as fluid, “just as butter.”

Cannick said that Kelly tried to incriminate everyone he met, but actually he was a good friend and took his victims on shopping sprees worth more than their cars.

Jerhonda Payne, who was first to be accused of Kelly’s crimes, was dismissed by Cannick as “a groupie stalker extraordinaire” and Kelly’s use nondisclosure agreement usage is common because so many people are victims.

Cannick also invoked King’s 1968 murder and civil rights movements to convince jurors that Kelly was innocent.

Cannick stated, “I spoke to you about Dr. King’s courage and people of courage because it was important.” Fairness is a much bigger deal than R. Kelly’s conviction.

He encouraged jurors use of common sense. He said, “Someone’s life is on the line here.”

Kelly didn’t testify against himself, and could have been subject to a lot of hard questioning by prosecutors.

He is facing separate criminal charges in Chicago federal court and in Minnesota state courts.