In Summation - The Final Word

United States v. Robert Kelly (R. Kelly)

May 03, 2022 Paul Townsend Episode 37
United States v. Robert Kelly (R. Kelly)
In Summation - The Final Word
More Info
In Summation - The Final Word
United States v. Robert Kelly (R. Kelly)
May 03, 2022 Episode 37
Paul Townsend

Special Guest Episode!

In this episode, Paul brings on seasoned sex crimes prosecutor and dynamic defense attorney (and wife) Sarena Townsend to discuss the RICO prosecution of R&B superstar R. Kelly.

Wait...RICO?  Yes, RICO.  R. Kelly was accused of committing sex abuse and sex crimes in several states a in time period spanning roughly 20 years.  But rather than charge Kelly with the individual sex offenses in state court, Kelly was charged in Brooklyn federal court with RICO under the theory that he and his entourage were a criminal enterprise created for the purpose of grooming and abusing young women.

Paul and Sarena break down the allegations and specific charges, and then discuss the propriety of the federal RICO charge and how fame and notoriety may have affected the prosecution decisions.  So often on this show, we discuss how narratives are presented, and who has a better, more compelling, story for the jury.  Listen to the arguments that were made, and why the defense was ultimately not as persuasive as the prosecution.

Thanks so much for listening, and if you have any feedback for the show, please send any thoughts to Paul at insummationpodcast@gmail.com, @insummationpod on twitter, or insummation on instagram.  Paul does his best to respond to all messages as quickly as possible and genuinely loves it when listeners reach out.

Enjoy!

Show Notes

Special Guest Episode!

In this episode, Paul brings on seasoned sex crimes prosecutor and dynamic defense attorney (and wife) Sarena Townsend to discuss the RICO prosecution of R&B superstar R. Kelly.

Wait...RICO?  Yes, RICO.  R. Kelly was accused of committing sex abuse and sex crimes in several states a in time period spanning roughly 20 years.  But rather than charge Kelly with the individual sex offenses in state court, Kelly was charged in Brooklyn federal court with RICO under the theory that he and his entourage were a criminal enterprise created for the purpose of grooming and abusing young women.

Paul and Sarena break down the allegations and specific charges, and then discuss the propriety of the federal RICO charge and how fame and notoriety may have affected the prosecution decisions.  So often on this show, we discuss how narratives are presented, and who has a better, more compelling, story for the jury.  Listen to the arguments that were made, and why the defense was ultimately not as persuasive as the prosecution.

Thanks so much for listening, and if you have any feedback for the show, please send any thoughts to Paul at insummationpodcast@gmail.com, @insummationpod on twitter, or insummation on instagram.  Paul does his best to respond to all messages as quickly as possible and genuinely loves it when listeners reach out.

Enjoy!